The Cincinnati Reds are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the first major note has already landed with a thud. Emilio Pagán opted out of his contract and entered free agency, then reportedly found a deal with the Detroit Tigers not long after. That leaves the Reds with more to sort through, and the biggest question of all centers on Elly De La Cruz.
De La Cruz has been mentioned in trade chatter before, and the possibility has not disappeared. The Reds have reportedly been open to the idea in the past, though nothing ever got close to happening. With an offseason that could reshape the roster, the idea of dealing their top star for a massive return of prospects and big-league talent is back on the table.
Nick Krall didn’t exactly slam the door on that possibility when asked about it on SiriusXM Radio.
“You know, we want to keep him around as long as we possibly can. I would never say no to anything, but we haven’t had any conversations this offseason," Krall said.
"He’s a guy that you want on your team, and you want to figure out how to make him a long-term part of this team. And, you know, if that doesn’t work out, then maybe we’ll have to have that conversation down the road.”
That answer matters because it wasn’t the usual hard stop teams give when a true franchise player comes up in trade rumors. Krall left the door cracked, and for Reds fans, that’s not the kind of certainty they were hoping for. It suggests the club is at least willing to listen rather than treating De La Cruz as completely off limits.
At the same time, Krall did make one thing clear: there have been no trade conversations involving De La Cruz this offseason. That’s the one reassuring piece here.
Still, the Reds should be doing everything they can to keep him in Cincinnati. He’s the kind of player who can change the direction of a franchise, and if he keeps trending the way he has, he has the ceiling to become the best player in the league.
In Other News...
Elly De La Cruz Just Gave Reds Fans A New Debate
Sal Stewarts Rookie of the Year season gave the Reds a new offensive centerpiece, but the conversation around Cincinnatis infield got a little more interesting when the All-MLB teams were announced. Elly De La Cruz landed on the Second Team at shortstop, a recognition that still puts him among the games elite and keeps his name in the same breath as the best players at the position.
Bobby Witt Jr. took the First Team spot, which is where the debate starts for Reds fans who have watched De La Cruzs all-around impact grow. He finished second among shortstops in batting average and led the group in slugging percentage and OPS, a combination that only adds fuel to the argument about where he belongs on the sports top tier. Meanwhile, Tejay Antones comeback after his third Tommy John surgery was one of the years better feel-good stories in Cincinnati, even if his return to 58 games did not land him among the National League comeback player finalists. [Read more 🡒]
Former Reds Coach Derek Johnson Just Took An Unexpected Next Step
Derek Johnsons next stop came together faster than many around the Reds likely expected. The longtime pitching coach, who was recently replaced in Cincinnati, has landed with the New York Mets in an advisory role, giving him a new home in the game after his stint with the Reds ended following a leave of absence during the 2023 season.
The setup in New York is a little different from the grind Johnson had in Cincinnati. His new position does not require daily travel with the club, which makes it a more flexible arrangement as he remains part of a major league organization without the full-time demands of a traditional dugout job. For a Reds team moving on from a familiar voice in its pitching room, it is another reminder of how quickly the coaching carousel can turn. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin McGonigle Just Entered A Much Bigger Tigers Conversation
Sal Stewarts Rookie of the Year season has already pushed him into a different kind of spotlight, one that reaches beyond the field and into the hobby. With his Bowman Chrome Red Rookie Redemption card now in play, collectors have a decision to make: take the Fanatics FanCash attached to the buyback or hold onto the card and gamble on where his career goes next.
The bigger question is how much ceiling Stewart really has from here, especially when the path to an MVP-level leap is crowded by bigger names in the league. For Reds fans, it is another reminder that his rookie year was not just a nice first step, but the start of a conversation about whether his long-term value is best cashed in now or left to grow. [Read more 🡒]