The Cincinnati Reds have drawn a line in the sand when it comes to their franchise phenom, Elly De La Cruz. According to President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, the team made efforts to sign the 23-year-old star to a long-term extension—but negotiations failed, and there are no active talks in progress.
“We made a run at it and obviously didn’t get anything done,” Krall said during a recent MLB Network Radio appearance. “We’ve had those conversations… but as of right now, there’s no talks that are currently happening.”
It’s a bold stance for a small-market club with one of the league’s most electrifying players under its control.
The Missed Window
When the Reds first reached out to De La Cruz and his representatives, likely in his rookie season, there may have been an opportunity to strike a deal—one with team-friendly terms that accounted for his potential but not yet his proof. That window appears to have closed. Today, Elly De La Cruz is not only a proven star, but a top-tier performer.
So far in 2025, De La Cruz has launched 54 home runs, swiped 122 bases, and posted improvements in strikeout rate and contact quality. His WAR places him among the top ten position players in baseball. These aren’t the numbers of a player you sign to a bargain extension. They’re the résumé of a player aiming for a contract north of $300 million.
Why It Matters Now
De La Cruz remains under team control through 2029. That gives Cincinnati five more seasons—but this year may trigger a turning point. If he qualifies as a Super Two player at season’s end, he’ll enter arbitration early, receiving a substantial pay increase in 2026 and accelerating his financial trajectory. That would reduce the team’s leverage in any future contract talks.
He’s currently earning around $770,000—league minimum. But that could jump to $3 million or more next year if he hits arbitration, making it more difficult for the Reds to negotiate a long-term deal without drastically increasing their offer.
Financial Constraints and Long-Term Questions
The Reds are already operating within strict budget limits. While other clubs are handing out decade-long, nine-figure deals, Cincinnati hasn’t shown willingness to return to spending levels seen during the Joey Votto era. In that light, signing De La Cruz to a mega-deal—one likely to exceed Witt Jr.’s $288 million extension in Kansas City—feels increasingly unlikely.
Unless there’s a dramatic shift in ownership philosophy or revenue stream, Cincinnati will likely play out De La Cruz’s team-controlled years without an extension, then hope to compete or trade him before free agency.
What Fans Are Saying
Reds fans are divided. Some believe locking up De La Cruz is essential to the club’s long-term future. Others are resigned to the idea that he may eventually walk away if the team doesn’t commit big money soon.
“We had our chance,” one fan noted. “Now he’s too good and too expensive.”
“He deserves every dollar,” another added. “If they won’t pay him, someone else will.”
What’s Next?
The Reds still hold Elly De La Cruz’s rights through 2029, and for now, that’s enough to keep him in a Cincinnati uniform. But his performance will only raise his price. Barring a change in approach, it seems increasingly likely the Reds will either pay a premium later—or lose one of the most exciting talents in baseball altogether.
