The MLB offseason just got a whole lot wilder, because the Cincinnati Reds are reportedly open to fielding offers for superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are already being eyed as a major player. MLB insider Jim Bowden didn’t mince words, telling the D-Mac and Reiter show that the Reds will “absolutely” consider moving the 24-year-old phenom this offseason.
The Superstar Swap Talk Heats Up
Bowden suggests that trading De La Cruz could be a smart play for Cincinnati, especially if the team knows it can’t match the financial firepower needed to keep him long-term. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the Dodgers are always looking for that next big star, and Bowden sees them as a prime destination. We’ve seen the Dodgers’ willingness to go after elite talent, and De La Cruz fits that bill perfectly. It’s not the first time teams have come calling either; the Boston Red Sox reportedly put together a “very strong offer” for De La Cruz before the last trade deadline, according to Bowden, but the Reds shut it down.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, But Neither Does Scott Boras
De La Cruz is coming off what’s being called the best season of his career, which means his trade value is sky-high. We’re talking about a guy who slashed .283/.365/.515, blasted 30 home runs, racked up 79 RBIs, hammered out 65 extra-base hits, and swiped 30 bases. Those are eye-popping numbers for any player, let alone a 24-year-old shortstop, making him one of baseball’s most exciting young talents. Cincinnati tried to lock him down in 2025 during spring training with an extension that would have been the largest in franchise history, eclipsing Joey Votto’s 10-year, $225 million deal from 2012. But here’s the kicker: his agent is Scott Boras. And convincing Boras and De La Cruz to sign a long-term deal is going to be an uphill battle, to put it mildly.
What’s Next in This Blockbuster Saga?
For the Reds, this all boils down to their long-term vision. If they really believe they can’t sign De La Cruz to a massive extension or build a competitive team around him, cashing in while his value is at its peak makes a whole lot of sense. A move like this, especially to a powerhouse like the Dodgers, would send absolute shockwaves throughout MLB. The big question now is whether the Dodgers are willing to put together the kind of historic offer it will take to actually land him. The offseason rumor mill is just getting started, and this one could define the winter.
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.
Leave a Reply