Overview
- Reds president Nick Krall said Cincinnati presented De La Cruz an offer in spring 2025 that would have been the largest in club history, with no further talks after it was declined.
- Multiple outlets report De La Cruz turned down the proposal as he defers to agent Scott Boras; he is under team control through 2029 and first reaches arbitration in 2027.
- Cincinnati expects to revisit extension discussions this spring and has reiterated its commitment to De La Cruz as the everyday shortstop.
- After playing through a left quadriceps strain in the second half of 2025, De La Cruz completed offseason rehab and said he wants to be in the lineup every day.
- Manager Terry Francona acknowledged he should have rested De La Cruz more in 2025, when the shortstop appeared in all 162 games and saw his power dip late.