Elly De La Cruz Turns Down Record Reds Extension Offer

Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati’s electrifying young shortstop, has once again become the talk of the baseball world after declining a contract extension that would have shattered the Reds’ franchise record. The 24-year-old phenom, already a two-time All-Star, chose to bet on himself and his future rather than lock into a long-term deal—echoing a growing trend among baseball’s brightest stars.

Last spring, as the dust settled from his first full big league season, De La Cruz was presented with an offer from the Reds that would have eclipsed the club’s previous record: Joey Votto’s 10-year, $225 million extension signed back in 2012. “We made Elly an offer that would’ve made him the highest-paid Red ever,” said Nick Krall, the Reds’ president of baseball operations, in remarks confirmed on January 17, 2026. “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.”

De La Cruz, who just celebrated his 24th birthday earlier this week, has quickly established himself as the face of the franchise. At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, the switch-hitting shortstop possesses a rare combination of power, speed, and defensive flair. Since his MLB debut in 2023, he’s manned shortstop with a cannon arm—though not without his share of defensive miscues, leading the league in errors for consecutive seasons. Still, his remarkable physical gifts and offensive upside have made him a cornerstone for Cincinnati’s future.

His decision to turn down the extension didn’t come as a total shock to insiders. De La Cruz is represented by Scott Boras, an agent renowned for guiding his clients toward free agency and maximizing their market value. “I let my agent take care of all of that,” De La Cruz said at Redsfest, keeping contract talk at arm’s length and focusing on his play on the field.

De La Cruz’s production in 2024 was nothing short of historic. He became just the fifth player in Major League Baseball history to hit at least 20 home runs (he finished with 25) and steal at least 60 bases (a league-best 67) in a single season—and at his age, the youngest ever to achieve the feat. His .259/.339/.471 slash line across nearly 700 plate appearances, along with a top-10 MVP finish, left little doubt as to why the Reds were eager to commit to him long-term.

But the 2025 campaign brought new challenges. De La Cruz’s numbers dipped slightly—he hit .264/.336/.440 with 22 home runs and 37 stolen bases. Playing through a strained left quad, his performance after the All-Star break tailed off, as he hit .236/.303/.363 down the stretch. Fatigue and injury seemed to take their toll, yet he still started all but one game as Cincinnati battled for the National League’s final playoff spot. The Reds’ faith in him didn’t waver. “He’s our shortstop,” Krall emphasized, pointing to De La Cruz’s importance as both an offensive spark plug and a defensive anchor, despite the growing pains at the position.

For now, De La Cruz remains on a pre-arbitration salary, with his first shot at arbitration coming in 2027. He’s under club control through the 2029 season, after which he’ll be eligible for free agency at age 28. That timeline, and the potential for even greater earnings as his production and service time grow, likely factored into his decision to pass on the Reds’ record offer. It’s a familiar path for Boras clients, who often opt to maximize their value on the open market.

The Reds, for their part, have a long history of trying to lock up young talent before free agency. Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, and Devin Mesoraco all signed extensions early in their careers. Just two years ago, right-hander Hunter Greene inked a six-year, $53 million deal with a club option that could push the total value past $95 million. “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,” Krall explained, hinting at ongoing efforts with other young stars.

Across the league, the extension landscape is shifting. Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals signed an 11-year, $288.8 million extension in February 2024, setting a new bar for young shortstops with star potential. Outfielder Corbin Carroll landed an eight-year, $111 million deal with the Diamondbacks, while the Oakland Athletics extended Tyler Soderstrom for seven years and $86 million, with escalators that could push it to $131 million. Even Ronald Acuña Jr., who inked an eight-year, $100 million extension with Atlanta in 2019, helped set the stage for such blockbuster deals.

Yet, not every star has been eager to sign early. Juan Soto famously turned down multiple extension offers with the Nationals—including a 15-year, $440 million proposal—before being traded to the Padres and, later, the Yankees. Just this past offseason, Soto signed a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, underscoring the potential rewards for those willing to wait. Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs also reportedly declined a long-term extension, keeping his options open as negotiations continue.

The Reds’ offer to De La Cruz would have surpassed all previous franchise deals, and possibly rivaled some of the largest for players with under two years of service time. While the specifics remain under wraps, it’s clear the club was willing to make a generational commitment. “We engaged in Spring Training of 2025 and presented an offer,” Krall told MLB.com. “The offer would have been the largest contract in Reds history. We didn’t have any further conversations regarding the offer.”

With De La Cruz’s earning ceiling only climbing as he approaches arbitration, and with the precedent set by stars like Witt and Tatis Jr., the Reds may have another shot at extension talks this spring. For now, though, the dynamic shortstop is focused on leading Cincinnati back to the postseason—injury-free and ready to remind everyone why he’s one of baseball’s most exciting talents.

As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes remain on De La Cruz and the Reds’ front office. Extension talks may resume, but for now, the young star’s bet on himself keeps the Queen City buzzing with anticipation—and a bit of uncertainty. The next chapter in this story promises to be just as riveting as the last.