Cincinnati, OH — May 13, 2026 — Despite recent high-profile meetings between Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and his agent Scott Boras, team officials have confirmed no contract extension discussions are currently underway. Reds president Nick Krall explicitly stated “Not at this time” when asked about potential extension talks following Boras’ visit to Cincinnati last evening.
The news comes as De La Cruz, already one of MLB’s most dynamic young talents, continues to set career highs in 2026. Through 181 plate appearances this season, the 24-year-old is hitting .288/.354/.521 with 10 home runs and a 2.1 fWAR—tied for fourth in baseball. His performance has only increased expectations around his long-term future with the franchise.
This isn’t the first time the Reds have engaged with De La Cruz about a contract. Krall previously revealed in January 2025 that the team presented an extension offer before the 2025 season that would have made De La Cruz the highest-paid player in Reds history. However, those discussions ended without agreement, and the team has not pursued further talks since.
Agent Scott Boras had dinner with his client Elly De La Cruz last night at Jeff Ruby’s restaurant in Cincinnati, which prompted me to reach out to #Reds President Nick Krall to see if they’d resumed extension talks…he replied, “Not at this time,” fwiw.
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) May 12, 2026
Why This Matters: The De La Cruz Contract Timeline
De La Cruz’s contract situation presents several key milestones:
- 2025 Season: Made All-Star team for second consecutive year
- January 2025: Reds presented extension offer (details undisclosed) that would have been largest in team history
- May 2026: Current contract discussions explicitly stated as “not at this time”
- 2027: Eligible for salary arbitration
- 2030: First year of free agency
The team’s current largest contract belongs to Ke’Bryan Hayes ($70M over eight years), while Joey Votto’s 10-year, $225M extension remains the franchise record. De La Cruz’s market value has only increased since turning down the 2025 offer, with his 2026 performance putting him on track for another All-Star selection.
Boras’ Strategy and Team Constraints
Scott Boras is known for his aggressive approach to free agency negotiations, often advising clients to wait for maximum market value rather than signing extensions. For De La Cruz, this means the team would need to make an unprecedented financial commitment to keep him long-term before his 2030 free agency.
Reds officials have previously indicated financial constraints prevent them from matching the highest offers for top free agents. The team’s recent history shows they’ve only extended contracts to three players worth $100M+ (Votto, Griffey Jr., Bailey), with none of those deals exceeding the 2012 Votto extension.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step in De La Cruz’s contract journey is the 2027 arbitration process, where both sides will negotiate his salary for the 2028 season. With his performance continuing to climb, arbitration could become a pivotal moment for the franchise’s financial future.
For now, Reds fans can expect more of De La Cruz’s elite play while watching this contract situation develop. The team’s official next update will likely come after the 2026 season when they can better assess his value against other market options.
Key Takeaways
- No current extension talks between Reds and De La Cruz
- Team presented offer in 2025 that would have been franchise record
- De La Cruz eligible for arbitration in 2027, free agency in 2030
- Current contract situation puts financial pressure on Reds organization
- Performance continues to set career highs in 2026 season
For readers following this story, the Reds organization’s official communications page (reds.com) will be the primary source for future updates. Fans can also follow team president Nick Krall’s verified statements through @reds on X/Twitter.
What do you think Reds fans? Should the team make a bold offer to keep De La Cruz long-term, or would it be smarter to let him hit free agency? Share your thoughts in the comments below.