The Cincinnati Reds have been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this season. With one of the weaker records in the National League (only three teams sit below them in the standings), the club would seem a natural candidate to sell off pieces and reset for the future.
Yet one of the most intriguing names that other organizations might hope to pursue remains firmly off the table.
Reports indicate that clubs inquiring about the availability of shortstop Elly De La Cruz are being told not to bother, via Rob Bradford of Audacy Sports. The message is clear: Cincinnati has no intention of moving its dynamic young star, even as the 2026 season continues to fall short of expectations.
That stance makes sense on several levels. De La Cruz is under club control through the 2029 season, giving the Reds years of cost-controlled excellence from a player still only 24 years old.
In just his fourth big-league campaign he has already earned two All-Star selections and finished in the top 10 of National League MVP voting.
He led the majors with 67 stolen bases in 2024 and continues to produce at a high level this year, posting a .278/.354/.506 slash line with 18 home runs, 47 RBIs and 18 steals. For a franchise that has struggled to sustain contention, he represents both present production and long-term promise.
The Reds have further signaled their commitment to building around young talent by locking up pitcher Chase Burns on a seven-year, $105 million extension earlier this month.
The deal, the largest guarantee ever given to a pitcher with fewer than four years of major-league service, underscores a willingness to invest in cornerstone pieces rather than tear everything down.
Keeping both Burns and De La Cruz in the fold provides a stronger foundation than many struggling clubs can claim, and it preserves the possibility of future playoff pushes once the supporting cast improves.
Trading away a player of De La Cruz’s caliber and age would deliver a significant blow to that long-term outlook. Cincinnati fans can take some comfort in the fact that such a move appears extremely unlikely.
While the Reds may still explore other avenues to reshape the roster before the deadline, their star shortstop is expected to remain in the only uniform he has worn in the majors.
For a team searching for answers in a difficult season, holding onto one of its brightest lights is a decision that prioritizes the years ahead over any short-term gains.
