Elly De La Cruz's monster season reiterates the Reds' most-pressing offseason move

The Cincinnati Reds' front office has some work to do this offseason. While still in the playoff hunt, the Reds face a massive uphill climb if they hope to be part of the MLB Postseason this fall. Despite winning Monday's game over the Miami Marlins by a final of 10-3, the Reds are still 6.5 games back of final spot in the NL Wild Card chase.

The Reds failed to make any real additions at last week's trade deadline, and even dealt their Opening Day starter to a division rival. While not necessarily waving the white flag, it's obvious that Cincinnati's focus is on improving the team heading into 2025 more so than winning games in 2024.

So while Nick Krall and the Reds' front office explore different ways — both internally and through free agency — to improve the ball club heading into next season, Cincinnati's No. 1 goal this offseason should be to offer Elly De La Cruz a contract extension that he can't refuse.

The Reds must sign Elly De La Cruz to a contract extension this offseason

De La Cruz proved once again on Monday night why he's the most electric player in Major League Baseball. The Reds shortstop went 4-for-5, scoring three runs and racking up three RBI while mashing a pair of home runs to go along with two doubles. On the season, De La Cruz now has 20 homers and 57 stolen bases. The Reds' phenom is tracking down a possible 30/70 season during his first full year in the big leagues.

The Reds have absolutely no choice but to go for broke and back up the Brinks truck this winter. At this point, the Reds could hand De La Cruz a blank check and the number he wrote down still wouldn't come close to what his overall value is to the franchise.

De La Cruz is must-see TV. There are only a handful of players in Major League Baseball who belong in that category and De La Cruz is one of them. The amount of revenue in jersey and ticket sales alone increase the 22-year-old's value. Throw in the fact that he's worth 5.4 fWAR on the season and 7.3 fWAR in just 208 career games, and the picture becomes even clearer. De La Cruz is a bonafide superstar.

An Elly De La Cruz contract extension is not the same as Joey Votto's deal back in 2012

And for the Reds fans who are fearful of handing out a big-time contract after watching Joey Votto fail to live up to his massive extension over the final five years of his deal — you know who you are — this is a completely different situation.

Votto signed a 10-year, $225 million extension in 2012 at the age of 28. Inking De La Cruz to a 10-year deal this offseason, though the sum would be much larger, would keep the infielder in Cincinnati through his age 33 season. Any contract De La Cruz signs would also have opt outs and team-options as well.

There's always a risk when it comes to doling out massive contract extensions to young players like De La Cruz. The Seattle Mariners did it with Julio Rodriguez and the Kansas City Royals signed Bobby Witt Jr. to a gargantuan contract this past spring. The Baltimore Orioles will likely be doing the same with Gunnar Henderson very soon.

De La Cruz's price tag is only going up, so the frugal Reds' ownership group would be wise to pool their resources together now before the young shortstop prices himself out of the Queen City.

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