The Cincinnati Reds have long viewed Elly De La Cruz as a foundational piece of their future, but trade speculation has swirled around the two-time All-Star for quite some time now.
In fact, the Reds reportedly held trade discussions with the Boston Red Sox regarding the young shortstop, but fear not, Cincinnati fans: it does not appear that De La Cruz is going anywhere.
Sean McAdam of MassLive.com has revealed that the Red Sox approached the Reds about a potential De La Cruz trade, and Cincinnati listened. However, the Reds’ asking price was far above what the Red Sox were willing to pay.
That indicates Cincinnati has no intention of moving De La Cruz, which should come as a surprise to no one.
Boston’s reported package of prospects fell well short of what Cincinnati would even begin to consider. De La Cruz is under contract through 2029, giving the Reds no financial or competitive urgency to move him. He is not a rental or a pending free agent; he is a young star still ascending.
Last season, the club explored a long-term extension with De La Cruz, an effort that ultimately did not result in an agreement. Rather than interpreting that decision as a sign of impending departure, the Reds understood it as a calculated choice by a player and his representatives who believe his value will continue to rise.
That confidence has been validated by his performance this year. Through 90 games in 2026, De La Cruz is slashing .279/.358/.508 with 18 home runs and 48 RBI. He has also stolen 20 bases.
For a franchise that has spent recent seasons building around a core of young talent, trading away a player of De La Cruz’s upside would undermine years of development work.
The Reds are not in a position where they must sell. They see De La Cruz as someone who can help them contend for years to come rather than a chip to be cashed in for immediate returns.
While they remain open to hearing extraordinary offers that might change the calculus, nothing presented so far has approached that threshold.
As the deadline nears, speculation will continue. Contending teams will inevitably inquire about elite talent still under control. Cincinnati’s stance, however, has not wavered.
De La Cruz is a Red, and the organization intends to keep it that way.
