Reds have two Silver Slugger finalists but can't hide from a troubling reality

The Cincinnati Reds have a pair of Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger finalists. Elly De La Cruz (shortstop) and Sal Stewart (utility player) were named finalists for the award, with both players looking to take home the hardware for the first time.

De La Cruz is going up against Miami Marlins infielder Otto Lopez and Washington Nationals' shortstop CJ Abrams. Stewart's competition includes San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. and this year's NLCS MVP, Jake Bauers of the World Champion Milwaukee Brewers.

De La Cruz might be the odds-on favorite to win the award after finishing with a flurry during the month of September. He ended the year hitting .283/.365/.515 with 30 home runs, 79 RBI ,30 stolen bases, and a 142 OPS+.

Stewart went the opposite way during the final month of the season, but had put forth such an outstanding résumé through the first five months, that his stat line still stood the test. He posted a .263/.330/.457 slash line with 32 homers, 111 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and a 117 OPS+.

But despite two outstanding seasons from De La Cruz and Stewart — and a performance from Chase Burns that will see him receive down-ballot votes for the NL Cy Young award — the Reds lost 87 games, finished in the NL Central basement, and were 28 games back of the division-champion Brewers.

The Reds are at a crossroads despite having two Silver Slugger award finalists

The Reds currently have three superstars on their roster, and yet it feels like they're lightyears away from contending for the NL Central crown. Why is that? Frankly, it's because baseball's a team sport and the rest of the roster that's been assembled around them can best be described as somewhere between bad and horrific.

Outside of De La Cruz, Stewart, and Burns, there's not much for Reds fans to feel good about. Yes, Cincinnati has some exciting prospects like Alfredo Duno, Tyson Lewis, and Justin Lebron, but those youngsters are several years away from making an impact in the big leagues.

Throw in the fact that Cincinnati just lost their most tenured player (Tyler Stephenson) to free agency, and will watch their would-be Opening Day starter (Hunter Greene) spend the entire 2027 season on the IL, and one begins to understand the conundrum the Reds' front office is currently facing.

While Stewart and Burns aren't going anywhere, De La Cruz has become a popular name in trade rumors. The Boston Red Sox made a move at last year's trade deadline, though they were rebuffed. And almost everyone, including longtime Reds' first baseman Joey Votto, expects De La Cruz to be traded before he reaches free agency.

While Stewart and Burns aren't going anywhere, De La Cruz has become a popular name in trade rumors. The Boston Red Sox made a move at last year's trade deadline, though they were rebuffed. And almost everyone, including longtime Reds' first baseman Joey Votto, expects De La Cruz to be traded before he reaches free agency.

So, do you build around the young talent this offseason and hope to compete against the World Series champion Brewers and others in a loaded National League? Or, do you sell off some of your best assets (De La Cruz, JJ Bleday, Spencer Steer, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo), rebuild the farm system, and have a renewed focus for the 2028 season and beyond?

One of those avenues is not very popular, even if it is the most prudent. The other would force the ownership group to do something they rarely do — spend heavily in free agency. In the end, the Reds may just do what they always do and try to thread that almost impossible needle. Stay tuned, Reds fans, it's going to be an intriguing offseason.

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