Elly De La Cruz Rejects Largest Contract in Reds History

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz has made headlines after rejecting a historic contract offer from the team. The proposal aimed to surpass Joey Votto’s previous record extension of 10 years for $225 million, established in 2012. Reds president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, confirmed this significant offer during a recent press conference.

Contract Details and Player Eligibility

De La Cruz, who recently celebrated his 24th birthday, is in a unique position regarding contract negotiations. He is eligible for arbitration in 2027 and can become a free agent following the 2029 season. De La Cruz emphasized that he prefers to let his agent, Scott Boras, handle the contract matters.

Comparative Long-Term Deals in MLB

Recent trends in Major League Baseball show a growing inclination among younger players to sign long-term contracts. Notably:

• Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals) signed an 11-year, $288.8 million extension in February 2024.
• Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks) secured an eight-year, $111 million extension in March 2023.
• Tyler Soderstrom (Oakland Athletics) signed a seven-year, $86 million deal that could escalate to $131 million.
• Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) previously inked an eight-year, $100 million extension in 2019.

However, not all players have accepted similar offers. For instance, Juan Soto declined extensive extensions with the Washington Nationals, including a surprising 15-year, $440 million proposal in 2022.

Reds’ Contract History and Future Outlook

The Cincinnati Reds have a history of signing early long-term extensions. Votto’s previous deals are part of a trend that includes notable players like Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto. Recently, the team signed right-hander Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53 million contract, with options that could extend its value significantly.

Krall remains optimistic about future negotiations, stating that while discussions have occurred with other impact players on the roster, no offers have materialized yet. He highlighted the need for deals to be beneficial for both parties involved.

As De La Cruz continues to develop as a key player for the Reds, his decision to reject the largest contract in the team’s history emphasizes his current priorities and potentially positions him for an even more lucrative deal in the future.