In a move that has sent shockwaves through the baseball world, Elly De La Cruz has turned down the largest contract offer in Cincinnati Reds history. Yes, you read that right. The young shortstop, who just celebrated his 24th birthday, said no to a deal that would have made him the highest-paid player in the franchise’s storied history, surpassing even Joey Votto’s record-breaking $225 million extension. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: De La Cruz isn’t alone in this decision, and it’s sparking a bigger conversation about the future of young stars in the sport.
“We made Elly an offer that would’ve made him the highest-paid Red ever,” confirmed Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall. “That’s not where he is, and you respect that. It’s their career, and you keep moving forward.” Krall’s words highlight the delicate balance between a team’s desire to secure talent and a player’s ambition to maximize their potential. De La Cruz, who won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season, seems content to let his agent, the notorious Scott Boras, handle the negotiations. And this is the part most people miss: De La Cruz’s decision isn’t just about money—it’s about timing, leverage, and the evolving landscape of MLB contracts.
In recent years, we’ve seen a trend of young stars locking in long-term deals early in their careers. Take Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, who signed an 11-year, $288.8 million extension in February 2024, or Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who inked an eight-year, $111 million deal in March 2023. Even the Athletics got in on the action, signing Tyler Soderstrom to a seven-year, $86 million contract with escalators that could push it to $131 million. These deals provide financial security for players and stability for teams, but they also raise questions: Are players leaving money on the table by signing early, or are they smartly avoiding the uncertainty of free agency?
But here’s where it gets controversial: Not every player is jumping at these offers. Juan Soto, another Boras client, famously turned down a reported 15-year, $440 million extension from the Washington Nationals in 2022. He eventually signed a staggering 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets last offseason. Similarly, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong reportedly declined a long-term extension offer, though talks are expected to continue. Is this a new era of player empowerment, or are agents like Boras simply playing the long game?
The Reds, for their part, are no strangers to early extensions. Joey Votto signed two before reaching free agency, and under former GM Walt Jocketty, the team locked up players like Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, and Devin Mesoraco. Most recently, they signed right-hander Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53 million deal with a club option that could push it past $95 million. But De La Cruz’s decision raises a bigger question: In an era where young stars are increasingly betting on themselves, are teams like the Reds being too cautious, or are players like De La Cruz taking an unnecessary risk?
De La Cruz will be just 28 years old when he hits free agency after the 2029 season, prime years for a player of his caliber. Krall admits he’s approached other young Reds players about extensions, but so far, none have materialized. “We’ve got a lot of guys who are impact players,” Krall said. “Hunter took a deal, and that was great. But it’s got to work for both parties.”
So, what do you think? Is De La Cruz making the right call by waiting, or should he have secured his future now? And more broadly, are these early extensions a win-win for teams and players, or are they tilting the scales too far in one direction? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate that’s far from over.
