The Red Sox already took one swing at Elly De La Cruz and came up empty. Now the question is whether they’re willing to go back to the Reds with a bigger offer.
Boston was swept by the Yankees in the AL Wild Card round, and that kind of exit tends to sharpen the offseason agenda fast. If the Red Sox want a real jolt before the 2027 season, De La Cruz is the kind of player who fits the bill. The Cincinnati shortstop should be near the top of Boston’s trade wish list, especially after the two sides talked at the deadline without finding a deal, according to MassLive.
The problem is that landing a player with De La Cruz’s ceiling is going to take a serious haul. Any package would likely have to begin with Franklin Arias, Boston’s No. 1 prospect.
The Boston Globe described Arias as “almost untouchable,” but also noted the Red Sox could move him for a superstar with multiple years of control. De La Cruz checks both boxes.
Even if Boston is willing to start there, the rest of the package is the real headache. The farm system took a hit at the deadline when the Red Sox sent Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar and Harold Rivas to Baltimore in the deal for Adley Rutschman. That leaves less room to maneuver if Cincinnati comes back asking for more.
And it sounds like they would.
The Reds reportedly wanted young major leaguers from Boston at the deadline, which only raises the price now. If the Red Sox go after De La Cruz again, names like Henry Godbout and Jake Schaffner could make sense since both are shortstops. Justin Gonzales could also have to be part of the conversation.
De La Cruz is only 24 and still has three more years of control, which is exactly the kind of profile that can justify a massive trade package. Boston has leaned heavily on homegrown talent in recent years, and that approach has not always paid off. That’s why the push for a player like De La Cruz feels so obvious.
The crown jewel would be Arias. The hard part is everything else Boston would need to stack around him to convince Cincinnati to deal one of the game’s most dynamic young stars.
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