Future Reds-Elly De La Cruz contract talks look grim after Vladdy Jr.'s negotiations

Are the Cincinnati Reds in active contract negotiations with Elly De La Cruz? Nothing has been leaked, but it would be the baseball-version of malpractice if Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall and the Cincinnati front office haven't at least inquired about the likelihood of a potential contract extension with their star shortstop.

De La Cruz is heading into his second full-season in the majors and could be Super Two elgible during the 2025-26 offseason. De La Cruz will have three years of arbitration eligibility remaining after next offseason and will reach free agency after the 2029 season. While so many fans are excited about the upcoming campaign, and prefer to focus on the here and now, Krall and Co. have to be thinking about the big picture.

Every day that goes by, the price tag on De La Cruz's future contract goes up. Many are predicting an MVP-caliber season from the speedy infielder in 2025, and if De La Cruz becomes a consensus top 10 player in the league, it's a surefire guarantee that he'll wait and test the free agent market after his arbitration window closes.

Blue Jays-Vladimir Guerrero Jr. failed contract negotiations will only widen the gap between the Reds and Elly De La Cruz

As it stands now, the Reds chances of handing De La Cruz a market-value extension are slim to none. But after Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s negotiations with the Toronto Blue Jays concluded without an agreement, the opportunity to keep De La Cruz in the Queen City past 2029 may have already expired.

Guerrero had set a firm date in order to get a contract extension done — the team's first full-squad practice. That came and went on Monday night, and on Tuesday morning, Guerrero declared his intentions to enter free agency next offseason. The Boston Red Sox are already licking their chops, as it's been widely reported that Vladdy Jr. would love to play at Fenway Park.

After Juan Soto's blockbuster contract this past offseason, Vladdy Jr.'s value skyrocketed. No, Guerrero is unlikely to match the $675 million offer Soto received from the Mets, but the Blue Jays' slugger could land a deal worth upwards of $500 million on the open market next winter. Can you imagine what De La Cruz will be worth when he hits free agency in 2029-30?

Rather than debate whether or not the Reds could or should back up the Brinks truck in order to keep De La Cruz in Cincinnati, perhaps the ownership and front office should open up their wallets in order to secure complimentary pieces who can help the team become a serious playoff contender over the next five years?

Scott Boras is De La Cruz's agent, so dreams of a contract extension are already on thin ice. But after seeing Soto's deal and Vladdy Jr.'s failed contract negotiations, Reds fans should narrow their focus on the window of contention that exists for the next few seasons.

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