Cincinnati Reds & Elly De La Cruz - No Active Contract Talks According To Nick Krall! What’s Next?
Trace Fowler and Nick Kirby discuss Elly De La Cruz' future in Cincinnati. Elly De La Cruz, the electrifying 23-year-old shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, has been a focal point of the team’s future plans, but recent updates indicate that contract extension talks have stalled. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall recently confirmed on MLB Network Radio that while the team has approached De La Cruz’s camp about a long-term deal, no progress has been made, and “as of right now, there’s no talks that are currently happening.” This development has sparked concern among fans and analysts, given De La Cruz’s superstar potential and the rising costs of securing young talent in Major League Baseball. De La Cruz, represented by agent Scott Boras, is under team control through the 2029 season, providing the Reds with some leverage. However, his current salary is near the league minimum of $800,000 for 2025, a figure that will increase as he approaches arbitration. Krall acknowledged De La Cruz’s elite status, noting, “He’s obviously one of the best players in the league,” with a 2025 stat line of .273/.352/.498, 16 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases through 72 games. His recent four-game home run streak, a feat achieved by only three other Reds players under 24 (Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, and Eric Davis), underscores his rare combination of power, speed, and athleticism. The Reds’ hesitation to lock in De La Cruz long-term may stem from financial constraints as a small-market team. The largest contract in franchise history, Joey Votto’s 10-year, $225 million deal from 2012, pales in comparison to modern megadeals like Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million and Juan Soto’s $765 million contracts. Analysts suggest that securing De La Cruz could require a 10-to-12-year commitment worth hundreds of millions, a significant investment for Cincinnati. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some fans encouraged by past dialogue but others skeptical due to Boras’s reputation for driving hard bargains. Without a deal, De La Cruz’s future in Cincinnati remains uncertain. As his value grows, so does the likelihood of a massive free-agent contract or even a trade to a big-market team if the Reds can’t afford him long-term. The Reds’ 7-2 record in their last nine games, fueled by De La Cruz’s heroics, highlights his importance to the team’s resurgence. However, the absence of active talks raises questions about whether Cincinnati can retain their young star or risk losing him to a bigger stage, leaving fans hopeful yet anxious about what lies ahead. Chatterbox Reds is your home for coverage all season long for the Cincinnati Reds with LIVE postgame shows after EVERY game on YouTube, and NEW podcasts the morning after every game (including weekends)! SUBSCRIBE to the channel and turn on notifications to ensure you never miss a thing! PODCAST LINKS: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3jlFDPP... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/733... Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0... iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/109483256 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/chatter... Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id5327101?... Player FM: https://player.fm/series/3450767 Andrew Abbott, Julian Aguiar, Graham Ashcraft, Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagán, Fernando Cruz, Alexis Díaz, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Tony Santillan, Carson Spiers, Brent Suter, Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, Tyler Stephenson, José Trevino, Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Santiago Espinal, Jonathan India, Noelvi Marte, Edwin Ríos, Will Benson, TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, Stuart Fairchild, Austin Hays, Spencer Steer, Jacob Hurtubise, Blake Dunn, Cooper Bowman Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals
