Elly De La Cruz Makes a Bold Choice Against Reds' Historic Offer
CINCINNATI — In a surprising turn of events last spring, the Cincinnati Reds extended an offer to their shortstop, Elly De La Cruz, that would have shattered the franchise record set by Joey Votto’s impressive 10-year, $225 million contract extension back in 2012. Yet, De La Cruz chose to decline this monumental offer.
Reds president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, stated on Friday, "We presented Elly with an opportunity that would have made him the highest-paid player in Reds history. However, it's crucial to respect where he currently stands in his career. Every player has their own path, and we must focus on what we can control today."
De La Cruz, who just turned 24 earlier this week, is set to become eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2027 and will be able to enter free agency after the conclusion of the 2029 season.
At Redsfest, De La Cruz commented, “I allow my agent to handle all negotiations regarding contracts.” His agent, Scott Boras, has not yet responded to inquiries from The Athletic regarding this matter.
In recent seasons, we’ve seen a trend where some of the youngest talents in baseball are signing substantial long-term contracts. Notably, Bobby Witt Jr., another shortstop in a smaller market, secured an 11-year deal worth $288.8 million with the Kansas City Royals in February 2024. Meanwhile, Corbin Carroll, an outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, inked an eight-year, $111 million extension in March 2023. Additionally, during the winter months, the Oakland Athletics rewarded left fielder Tyler Soderstrom with a seven-year, $86 million contract extension, which also includes an eighth-year club option that could elevate the total value to $131 million through performance escalators.
Looking back, we can’t forget Ronald Acuña Jr.’s eight-year, $100 million extension with the Atlanta Braves, signed in 2019, which remains active until 2026 and contains two club options for the following two years.
However, not all players are inclined to accept such lucrative offers. Juan Soto, who was the runner-up for the National League Rookie of the Year award to Acuña in 2018, reportedly turned down multiple extension proposals from the Washington Nationals, including a staggering 15-year, $440 million offer in 2022. Soto, who is also represented by Boras, was later traded to the San Diego Padres within the same season. After the 2023 season, he found himself traded once again, this time to the New York Yankees, where he played before entering free agency.
Ultimately, Soto landed a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets in the offseason that followed.
Another player navigating similar waters is Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is under the representation of Creative Artists Agency. Reports indicate he too declined a long-term extension offer, but discussions about a potential deal are expected to continue.
The Reds have a history of securing early long-term contracts for their players. Besides Votto's extensions prior to free agency, the team, under former general manager Walt Jocketty, also offered contracts to outfielder Jay Bruce, pitcher Johnny Cueto, and catcher Devin Mesoraco after his All-Star performance in 2014.
In April 2023, the Reds signed right-handed pitcher Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53 million contract that includes a club option for a seventh year, with escalators that could bring the total value to over $95 million while buying out two years of free agency. If the Reds decide to exercise his $21 million option in 2029, Greene would reach free agency after completing his age-29 season.
As for De La Cruz, he will be entering his age-28 season by the time he is eligible for free agency following the 2029 season.
Krall mentioned that he has approached other young talents on the team regarding contract extensions, but so far, none have materialized.
"We have many impactful players on our roster who have the potential to be game-changers," Krall noted. "While Hunter accepted a deal, which we greatly appreciate as he is a cornerstone player for us, it’s vital that arrangements work well for both sides. We’ve had numerous discussions over the years, and it’s essential that both parties feel comfortable moving forward."
But here's where it gets controversial: Should players like De La Cruz prioritize short-term financial security or hold out for potentially more lucrative contracts down the line? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
