Elly De La Cruz Turned Down Record-Breaking Reds Extension - What It Means for Cincinnati’s Future
Elly De La Cruz didn’t just burst onto the scene in 2023 - he exploded. The 6’5” shortstop brought a rare mix of power, speed, and swagger that lit a spark in a Cincinnati Reds franchise hungry for a new era. And while his 2025 season didn’t quite match the fireworks of 2024, De La Cruz still played a pivotal role in helping the Reds snap a five-year playoff drought.
Now, the Reds are trying to lock in their future - and they want De La Cruz at the center of it. According to team president of baseball operations Nick Krall, the Reds offered him a contract extension before the start of the 2025 season.
Not just any offer, either. This was the largest deal the franchise has ever put on the table - bigger than Joey Votto’s landmark $225 million extension from 2012.
And De La Cruz said no.
“We made Elly an offer that would’ve made him the highest-paid Red ever,” Krall said. “That’s not where he is, and you respect that.
It’s their career. You keep going, and you keep working on what you can do today.”
That kind of response tells you two things. First, the Reds are serious about building around their young core. Second, De La Cruz is betting on himself - and he has every reason to.
After finishing seventh in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023 despite playing just 98 games, De La Cruz delivered a breakout 2024 campaign. He launched 25 homers and swiped 67 bags, flashing elite tools that make him one of the most electrifying players in the game. Even though his 2025 numbers didn’t quite hit the same highs, he still earned a second All-Star nod and remained a key piece in Cincinnati’s resurgence.
The Reds, for their part, are trying to lock in as many of their young stars as possible. Back in April 2023, they signed starting pitcher Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53 million extension - a clear signal that they’re building for the long haul. But the process hasn’t been as smooth with other young talents, including De La Cruz, who are still a few years away from free agency.
“We’ve got a lot of guys on this club that are impact players or have a chance to be,” Krall said. “Hunter took a deal, and that was great.
We love having him, and he’s an anchor starter for us. We’ve had a lot of conversations over the years.
It’s got to work out on both parties.”
That’s the challenge for any front office trying to build a sustainable contender: balancing long-term commitments with the evolving value of young stars. For De La Cruz, there’s no rush. He’s not even arbitration-eligible until the end of this season, and if he believes his best seasons are still ahead of him, waiting could mean an even bigger payday - whether in Cincinnati or elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Reds continue to add pieces around their young core. Right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson, one of their newest additions for 2026, called the Reds “a really talented group” and credited Emilio Pagán for helping recruit him to Cincinnati. It’s clear the vibe around this team is changing - and fast.
But make no mistake: Elly De La Cruz is the face of this rebuild. The Reds know it.
The fans know it. And based on his decision to turn down a record-breaking extension, De La Cruz knows it too.