Imagine this: a star player, Elly De La Cruz, walks away from a contract that would have made him the highest-paid in the franchise's history. It's a bold move, and one that has everyone talking. But what's the real story behind this decision?
De La Cruz, the Reds' shortstop, was offered a deal that surpassed Joey Votto's record-breaking $225 million contract. It was an incredible opportunity, but something made him turn it down. Reds president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, revealed the offer during an interview, but the reason for De La Cruz's decision remains a mystery.
"We engaged in Spring Training and presented an offer," Krall said. "It would have been the largest contract in Reds history, but we didn't discuss it further."
Despite this, De La Cruz is still committed to the team, signed through 2029, and eligible for arbitration in 2027. So, why did he decline such a lucrative offer?
De La Cruz's batting prowess is undeniable. He's a two-time All-Star, leading the Reds in home runs in 2024 and 2025, and stealing the most bases in the league during the 2024 season. His recent stats are impressive too: 22 home runs and 86 RBIs in 162 appearances during the 2025 season, with a batting average of .264 and an OPS of .776.
However, his defensive skills have come under scrutiny, with De La Cruz leading the league in fielding errors for two consecutive seasons. Could this have influenced his decision?
De La Cruz's journey began with the Dominican Summer League Reds in his native Dominican Republic in 2018. He worked his way up through the Reds' minor league system in the US before making his professional debut in Cincinnati in 2023.
Interestingly, the Reds also offered a similar contract to Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber last year, but he too declined, choosing to stay with the Phillies until 2030.
So, what do you think? Is there more to this story than meets the eye? Why would a player turn down such a lucrative offer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
