The Cincinnati Reds may eventually have to face a decision on Elly De La Cruz, and if that day comes this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers do not have to be the automatic answer.
The Dodgers have long looked like the obvious trade fit, but the Seattle Mariners could bring the stronger package to the table. Seattle has six top-100 prospects on MLB Pipeline’s list, and the headliner is Kade Anderson, who is rated as the best pitching prospect in baseball. The Mariners also have right-hander Ryan Sloan and infielder/outfielder Michael Arroyo in the top 50, plus outfielders Lazaro Montes and Jonny Farmelo and shortstop Felnin Celesten among their top-100 group.
That kind of depth matters, especially if Cincinnati decides De La Cruz is on the market. Joey Votto has already backed the idea of moving the shortstop, and he floated the Dodgers’ top prospect Josue De Paula as part of a possible return. Still, the Mariners’ farm system gives them a real chance to beat that offer.
There is also the broader question of whether the Reds should keep feeding Los Angeles in these kinds of deals. Cincinnati already sent outfield prospect Mike Sirota to the Dodgers in 2025 in the Gavin Lux trade, and the piece of the argument against helping LA is simple: the Dodgers have a habit of turning other clubs’ top talent into even more firepower.
The track record after players leave that organization has been uneven. Nick Frasso has done nothing of note with the Colorado Rockies.
Diego Cartaya still has not reached the big leagues. James Outman faded after his rookie season.
Josiah Gray has appeared in only five games since 2024. The only former Dodgers prospects to really establish themselves elsewhere are Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas.
The Boston Red Sox reportedly checked in on De La Cruz before the August 3 trade deadline, but they were turned away. Cincinnati could always keep him and roll into the 2027 season with him still in uniform, but it is fair to say his value may never be higher than it is right now.
If the Reds do put him on the market this winter, plenty of teams will show up. The Dodgers would have a major offer ready. But the Mariners might have the better one.
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