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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