Elly De La Cruz is absolutely on fire, closing in on a mind-blowing 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases this season. Seattle, you know the kind of power this guy has. He’s putting up numbers that make you stop and stare, and frankly, our M’s have seen it up close.
When Elly Crushed Our M’s
Remember April 2024? De La Cruz drilled a solo home run against our very own Mariners right there at T-Mobile Park. That speed and strength? It’s been on display all year long, and he’s been hitting dingers left and right, proving that shot here in the Emerald City wasn’t a fluke. He’s been launching them against the Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Guardians, Rockies, and Red Sox. The guy is a legitimate threat every time he steps to the plate, showcasing that incredible power and speed consistently throughout the season.
Bittersweet Farewell for a Reds Catcher?
Meanwhile, over in Cincinnati, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson is grappling with something else entirely: free agency. On September 23, during a game against the Braves, Stephenson told Reds.TV’s Jim Day that facing free agency feels a lot like the stress of the trade deadline. He called it his “first time going through that” kind of uncertainty. Stephenson sounded genuinely thankful for his seven seasons with the Reds, saying it’s “where I grew up and have become a player.” He called the situation “bittersweet,” especially with what might be his last game on Sunday. He plans to fly back to Cincinnati for a few days after the Toronto series to see some people, saying he’d be “very happy” to return. But ultimately, he admitted, he doesn’t know what the future holds for him. For Stephenson, this organization is all he’s ever known.
So, while one star closes in on an insane statistical milestone that echoes a past moment for our Mariners, another reflects on an uncertain future with the team he’s called home. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change in this game, both good and, well, bittersweet.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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