The Cincinnati Reds attempted to secure a long-term deal with Elly De La Cruz last spring, offering a contract that would surpass Joey Votto‘s franchise-record $225MM deal. De La Cruz, a standout shortstop and former top prospect, opted to let his agent handle negotiations, choosing to bet on himself instead. Despite a slight dip in performance during his second full season, he remains a key player for the team, with plans for further extension talks in the coming spring. Nick Krall emphasized the Reds’ commitment to De La Cruz as their franchise cornerstone, despite his struggles with errors and injury concerns.
