CINCINNATI — Elly De La Cruz is emerging as one of Major League Baseball’s brightest young stars, but questions are mounting about whether he will be able to achieve sustained success with the Cincinnati Reds. The 24-year-old two-time All-Star shortstop has delivered eye-catching performances during his breakout 2023 season, yet his team’s struggles have cast doubt on his future in Cincinnati.
De La Cruz’s recent streak of 23 consecutive games reaching base ended on Thursday, as the Los Angeles Dodgers secured the National League West title with an 8-2 victory at Great American Ball Park. The Dodgers, reigning world champions, have dominated their division, clinching it for the 13th time in 14 years. Last October, De La Cruz experienced his first postseason when the Reds reached the wild-card stage but were promptly eliminated in two games against the Dodgers. Given the Reds’ ongoing challenges, those may remain his only playoff appearances with the franchise.
Signed at age 16 in 2018, De La Cruz was not widely regarded as a top prospect until 2021, but he quickly established himself after making his MLB debut in June 2022. His combination of power, speed, and defense has drawn comparisons to elite players, and he has notably excelled against the Dodgers. In 26 career games versus Los Angeles, De La Cruz has accumulated 29 hits, including seven home runs, and a mix of doubles, triples, and stolen bases. In this season alone, he is batting .360 with a .407 on-base percentage and a 1.040 slugging mark in seven games against the Dodgers.
Despite his individual achievements—ranked third in the National League in wins above replacement (WAR) through Sunday—De La Cruz is unlikely to carry the Reds to postseason success by himself, a reality underscored by veteran teammate Joey Votto. Votto, who spent his entire 17-year career in Cincinnati without winning a playoff series, expressed skepticism about the Reds’ ability to retain De La Cruz long term, citing financial constraints. “Unfortunately, we can’t afford him,” Votto said on a recent broadcast. “He’s going to cost roughly the GDP of a small country.”
De La Cruz declined a contract offer in January that would have been the largest in Reds history, surpassing Votto’s $225 million, 10-year deal signed in 2012. Under current collective bargaining rules, De La Cruz will be arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason and could reach free agency after the 2029 season. If the franchise hopes to maximize return before then, a trade could become necessary, reminiscent of the Washington Nationals’ deal involving Juan Soto in 2022.
While the team has other promising young talents such as rookie frontrunner Sal Stewart and All-Star pitcher Chase Burns, the overall outlook remains uncertain. The Reds have struggled with free-agent acquisitions, and their farm system was recently ranked among the weakest by Baseball America. Ownership has cited financial limitations as a barrier to building a competitive roster around De La Cruz.
Reds outfielder Dane Myers, who joined the team this year, praised De La Cruz’s potential, stating, “If he keeps his head on straight and keeps working, there’s nothing he can’t achieve.” Yet, with Cincinnati still distant from playoff contention, the question persists over how long De La Cruz will remain with the club—and under which banner he might cement a Hall of Fame career.