The Los Angeles Dodgers have been projected to acquire shortstop Elly De La Cruz from the Cincinnati Reds this winter, according to Sportsnaut senior editor Matt Johnson. The projection positions Los Angeles as the clearest landing spot among several clubs that could pursue the young star.
Johnson listed De La Cruz among 10 potential trade candidates for the 2026-27 offseason. He framed the possible deal as one of the most significant of the winter because of the player’s age, production, and remaining team control.
The prediction centers on the Dodgers’ ability to pair a deep farm system with their perennial contention status. That combination gives Los Angeles the resources to meet a high asking price without stripping the major-league roster.
De La Cruz turns 25 in January and remains under club control through the 2029 season. He will not reach free agency until after the 2030 campaign, giving any acquiring team multiple years of cost-controlled service.
In 2026 he batted .283 with a .365 on-base percentage, .515 slugging percentage, and .880 OPS. He also hit 30 home runs, stole 30 bases, and posted 6.4 WAR, numbers that ranked among the National League leaders in several categories.
Those statistics underscored why Johnson called him one of baseball’s most exciting players. The combination of switch-hitting power and speed makes him a rare offensive profile at shortstop.
For the Dodgers, the fit is straightforward. A perennial All-Star shortstop would allow Mookie Betts to shift to second base and improve overall lineup balance.
Los Angeles has long prioritized positional flexibility and star power. Adding De La Cruz would give the club another elite bat in a lineup that has thrived on high-end talent even after recent postseason exits.
The club’s farm-system depth provides the necessary capital to meet Cincinnati’s expected asking price. Johnson noted that the Dodgers can pursue such a deal without depleting their current major-league core.
From the Dodgers’ perspective, the Reds face a binary choice. They must either commit long-term money they are unlikely to spend or trade De La Cruz while his value remains high.
That situation creates a rare window for Los Angeles. The club could add a 25-year-old cornerstone under arbitration control for multiple seasons rather than waiting for a free-agency bidding war.
Arbitration projections place De La Cruz near $7.9 million for 2027. That figure sits well within the Dodgers’ payroll structure and preserves flexibility for other roster moves.
Johnson’s projection aligns with the Dodgers’ historical preference for acquiring established young talent. The club has repeatedly used its prospect depth to land impact players rather than relying solely on free agency.
Whether the deal materializes will depend on the Reds’ willingness to listen to offers. Sportsnaut has already identified Los Angeles as the team best positioned to complete the trade.
