Reds should lock up this young star with Elly De La Cruz extension all but impossible

The Boston Red Sox just signed Roman Anthony to an eight-year contract extension earlier this week. Of course the Cincinnati Reds fanbase immediately thought about what it would be like to have their superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz locked up for the next eight seasons, but that ship may have already sailed.

While the Reds should make every attempt to keep De La Cruz in Cincinnati for the long haul, his agent typically prefers to take his clients all the way to free agency. Scott Boras isn't going to cut a team-friendly deal with the Reds' ownership, meaning that the idea of a De La Cruz extension is little more than a fantasy at this point.

But maybe Chase Burns' representation would be more amenable to a long-term pact with the Reds. Cincinnati's rookie sensation could be a prime candidate to receive a contract extension this offseason, and the Reds would be wise to kickstart negotiations before the 2025 season comes to a close.

Reds should lock up Chase Burns with Elly De La Cruz extension all but impossible

If the Reds hope to keep some of their best players beyond their arbitration years, the front office is going to have to lock them up before they turn into All-Stars. Burns has a high ceiling, and while there's definite risk involved in signing a pitcher who throws a triple-digit fastball to a long-term deal, Cincinnati cannot afford to just allow all their talent to walk out the door once they reach free agency.

Burns is having a terrific rookie campaign after being called up midway through the season. The former first-rounder was thrust into duty once Hunter Greene and Wade Miley hit the IL, and he's pieced together some fine outings against some of the league's best lineups like the likes of the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.

Quite frankly, the deal that Hunter Greene agreed to just after the 2023 season began — six years, $53 million — would be a good place to start. Both pitchers have a similar makeup, and signing such an extension with the Reds this offseason would allow Burns to enter the free agent market before he turns 30 years old. This is the type of deal that could be a win-win for both parties and one Nick Krall and Reds front office should pursue.

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