The Cincinnati Reds missed their moment with Elly De La Cruz - not just in terms of timing, but in understanding how modern baseball economics work. They had a golden opportunity to lock in a potential franchise cornerstone before he became a household name.
That window, as fleeting as it was, came right after the 2023 season. De La Cruz hadn’t proven everything yet - but that’s exactly why it was the right time.
You don’t wait until a young star becomes a superstar to talk extension. You move early, when there’s still some uncertainty, and use that to your advantage.
Now, that window is gone. De La Cruz is a face of the franchise, and with that status comes a different kind of leverage.
His agent knows it. He knows it.
And if the Reds still want to keep him long-term, they’re going to have to pay for it - likely at a premium. That’s the cost of waiting.
This is where small-market teams like the Reds have to think differently. The big-market clubs - think Yankees, Mets, Dodgers - can afford to overpay later.
For them, a $300 million extension is just another Tuesday. The Reds don’t have that luxury.
They can’t treat elite young talent like a layaway item, stashing it until they’re sure it’s worth the price. That’s not how you build sustainable success in a market like Cincinnati.
Which brings us to Sal Stewart.
Stewart is the kind of player the Reds say they want to build around - a young, impact bat with the potential to anchor a lineup for years. He’s not just a prospect anymore. He’s a developing force, and if 2025 was any indication, he’s on the verge of something big.
Across 118 games at Double-A and Triple-A, Stewart slashed .309/.383/.524 with 34 doubles, 20 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and 80 RBI. That’s not just a solid minor league campaign - that’s the kind of production that gets front offices paying attention.
Then, in a brief September call-up, he added five home runs in just 18 games with an .839 OPS. That’s how the price tag starts to climb - fast.
This is the moment. The Reds need to act while there’s still some projection involved, before Stewart forces the league to treat him like a future middle-of-the-order star.
Waiting for the “perfect” breakout is a recipe for paying full retail. Acting now gives the team a shot at locking in a core piece on a deal that makes sense for both sides.
An early extension doesn’t mean the Reds are locking themselves into a risk. It means they’re choosing clarity.
It’s about betting on your scouting and development - and showing players that you’re serious about building something real. Too often, Cincinnati has played the long game, hoping to find stars instead of committing to the ones already in their system.
De La Cruz is the cautionary tale. The Reds had a clean opportunity to get ahead of the curve, and they let it slip.
Now they’re staring at a much more expensive negotiation. Stewart represents a second chance - a chance to turn the lesson into policy.
The blueprint is right there. The question is whether the Reds are ready to follow it.