Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall revealed that the team engaged in discussions about a long-term contract with Elly De La Cruz during the offseason. However, at present, there are no active negotiations between the Reds and De La Cruz’s representatives. This development offers a mixed outlook: the Reds recognize the value of securing a long-term deal, but the lack of agreement leaves fans uncertain about De La Cruz’s future in Cincinnati.

Scott Boras’s Typical Strategy and Its Impact on Contract Extensions

Elly De La Cruz’s agent Scott Boras is known for preferring to wait until free agency to maximize his clients’ market value, which complicates the chances of a long-term extension. Despite this, Boras has negotiated several notable pre-free agency long-term contracts, suggesting there remains a possibility for the Reds to reach a deal. Examining some of Boras’s previous negotiations offers insight into how an extension for De La Cruz could still materialize.

Jose Altuve’s Multiple Extensions Set a Successful Example

Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros represent one of Boras’s most successful partnership stories. Altuve signed two extensions with Houston during his career, starting with a five-year, $151 million deal in 2018. Recently, he agreed to another extension that essentially keeps him with the Astros for life. De La Cruz’s situation invites Cincinnati fans to hope for a similar outcome, where their young shortstop could become a cornerstone of the franchise long-term.

Stephen Strasburg’s High-Risk Pitching Deal Illustrates Contract Challenges

Pitchers face unique risks in long-term contracts, a fact highlighted by Stephen Strasburg’s agreements with the Washington Nationals. Strasburg initially signed a seven-year, $175 million contract that included an opt-out clause after 2019. After opting out, he immediately secured another seven-year extension worth $245 million. Though Strasburg retired after the 2022 season, the Nationals remain financially committed to him through 2029. This example underscores the complexity and risk inherent in negotiating major pitcher contracts with Boras.

Carlos Gonzalez’s Early Extension Shows a Model for Young Talent

One of Boras’s notable early success stories was with outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who in 2011 agreed to an eight-year, $80 million contract extension with the Colorado Rockies. This extension covered Gonzalez’s arbitration years plus three free agency seasons, ensuring financial security well ahead of reaching free agency. If the Reds pursued a similar deal with De La Cruz, the young shortstop would not be eligible for free agency until after the 2032 season, which means Cincinnati could retain him through his prime years while he is still only 30 years old.

Elvis Andrus’s Incremental Extensions Offer Another Possible Route

Elvis Andrus provides an example of a two-step approach, having signed an initial contract covering arbitration years followed by a more substantial eight-year, $120 million extension with the Texas Rangers before the 2013 season. The Reds might consider such a strategy to gain cost certainty with De La Cruz, similar to the two-year, $8.8 million contract given to Jonathan India ahead of the 2024 season. This approach offers stability but with a shorter-term financial commitment.

Xander Bogaerts’s High-Value Deal Reflects Long-Term Potential

Xander Bogaerts once signed a six-year, $120 million extension with the Boston Red Sox in 2019 before opting out and later securing an 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres. Although Bogaerts has since departed Boston, his deal highlights the potential for Boras clients to command enormous contracts through extensions and beyond. However, the Padres’ contract is now considered a potential overpayment, illustrating the risks teams take with these long-term commitments.

What Lies Ahead for Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds

While there are no immediate contract talks ongoing for Elly De La Cruz, the examples of past Boras negotiations provide a foundation for cautious optimism among Reds fans. The organization’s recognition of the importance of a long-term agreement is promising, even as uncertainty remains. Securing De La Cruz under a beneficial long-term deal would stabilize the team’s future and allow Cincinnati to build around their promising shortstop. As negotiations evolve, Reds followers will be watching closely to see if Boras follows patterns from his previous high-profile contracts or opts to push De La Cruz toward free agency.

“Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros have agreed to not just one, but two contract extensions during his career. The former AL MVP inked a five-year, $151 million deal in 2018, and signed a contract extension with Houston last offseason that will make him an Astro for life.” —Unknown
“Contract extensions for pitchers are far more risky, and they don’t come much riskier than the seven-year, $175 million deal between the Washington Nationals and Stephen Strasburg.” —Unknown
“You’ll have to go back to 2011 to find one of the more notable contract extensions Boras ever worked out, and it just so happened to be with the Colorado Rockies. Budding superstar Carlos Gonzalez signed an eight-year extension worth $80 million that bought out all of of the outfielder’s arbitration years plus three years of free agency.” —Unknown
“Elvis Andrus inked an eight-year, $120 million extension with the Texas Rangers prior to the 2013 season. The deal was actually the second extension Andrus signed with Texas, but his first contract only covered his arbitration years.” —Unknown
“Xander Bogaerts has since left Boston, but the shortstop signed a six-year, $120 million extension with the Red Sox in 2019. The superstar exercised his opt-out clause after 2022 and landed an 11-year, $280 million deal with the San Diego Padres.” —Unknown