Elly De La Cruz keeps finding ways to make people stop and stare, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is clearly in that camp.
The Cincinnati Reds star has long looked like the kind of player who can bend a game to his will, but the 2026 regular season gave Los Angeles a front-row view of just how loud that talent can get. In six September matchups against the Dodgers, De La Cruz piled up nine hits in 25 at-bats, with four homers and two doubles mixed in.
That kind of production left an impression on Roberts, who was asked about De La Cruz possibly being a fit in Los Angeles down the line.
“He’s definitely had a lot of success against us,” Roberts said in response to a question regarding De La Cruz potentially auditioning for the Dodgers. “I still recall that homer he hit off [Noah] Syndergaard here.
I know him enough through All-Star Games and things like that, that he likes the big stage, he wants to play against the best and against us, he certainly performs. I think there’s a lot of willing takers for that person and talent.
“It’s nice to win games against those guys and still kind of be a fan and marvel at what he can do on a baseball field. He’s very impressive.”
At 24, De La Cruz already brings a rare mix of power and athleticism that jumps off the screen. The idea floating around fan circles is simple enough: if he ever became available, Los Angeles would be one of the clubs with both the appetite and the ability to chase him.
That kind of speculation only grows because De La Cruz still looks unfinished. The upside is obvious, and the thought of him with even more help around him is part of what makes the conversation so enticing.
For now, though, the Reds are not showing any sign they’re ready to part with their franchise player. De La Cruz has three more arbitration years left before he can reach free agency in 2030.
Still, if a blockbuster ever came into focus, the Dodgers would be a natural team to watch. They have the resources, the prospect capital and the kind of pull that can turn rumors into something much bigger.
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For Cincinnati, the appeal is obvious: Graham suddenly looks like a player with a real path to major league relevance rather than just a depth piece in the organization. The question now is less about whether he belongs on the radar and more about how soon the Reds might have to make room for a bat that has climbed far faster than anyone expected. [Read more 🡒]
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Elly De La Cruz Just Gave Reds Fans A Needed Reason To Hope
Elly De La Cruz gave the Reds a bright spot to hold onto in a season that ended far too soon. Named National League Player of the Month for September, he closed the year by hitting .348 with nine home runs, 19 RBIs and a 1.156 OPS, a stretch that reminded everyone just how dangerous his talent can be when everything is clicking.
Cincinnati still finished 75-87 and missed the postseason, so the late surge did little to change the bigger picture. Manager Terry Francona has already pointed to the disappointment of the season and the need for urgency and improvement this winter, which puts De La Cruzs breakout month in an interesting place: as a reason for hope, yes, but also as a reminder of how much more the Reds still need around him. [Read more 🡒]