Say goodbye to Elly De La Cruz, everyone. No, not just now. You have around five years. But enjoy the trip while it lasts, because once it ends, he’s gone. There have been no conversations about a contract extension between De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds, and with Scott Boras representing the great shortstop, there will never be.
Boras was feeling his oats this week. Following a terrible showcase of his clients last winter, the great agent regained his mojo. Several Boras clients were well-rewarded this winter, but none more so than Juan Soto. The outfielder received an outrageous 15-year, $765 million contract from the New York Mets immediately before the MLB Winter Meetings began earlier this week.
Boras was asked during a media scrum on Wednesday about elite players waiting till free agency rather than signing a long-term agreement with their current teams. Of course, Boras has long believed that talented athletes should forego a lucrative extension early in their careers in order to receive a massive salary later on. That’s exactly what happened to Soto, who had earlier declined a 15-year, $440 million contract with the Washington Nationals.
Scott Boras’ statements have put an end to the Reds’ hopes of extending Elly De La Cruz’s contract.
Boras’ specific line of questioning on Wednesday was Baltimore Orioles standout baseman Gunnar Henderson. Henderson, like De La Cruz, is currently pre-arbitration eligible, and has
He has yet to sign a contract extension with the Orioles. Bobby Witt Jr. did the opposite, signing an 11-year contract deal with the Kansas City Royals before the start of the 2024 season. Boras admitted that some players benefit from signing a contract extension, but actions speak louder than words, and Boras has frequently recommended his clients to explore the free agent waters when the opportunity arises.
De La Cruz, while not yet at that elite level, is moving in that direction. De La Cruz will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season, giving the Reds a five-year window to surround their young shortstop with as much quality as possible and produce a championship-caliber competitor. The Reds have already completed the difficult task of identifying a superstar player. Having future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona lead the charge would undoubtedly assist as well. However, the Reds’ front staff must now put all of their chips in the middle of the table and put together a roster capable of bringing winning baseball back to Cincinnati. The window won’t stay open forever.
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