The Cincinnati Reds may be on the verge of a major internal crisis, as superstar infielder Elly De La Cruz is reportedly considering walking away from the team if his contract situation remains unresolved. According to team insiders, De La Cruz has expressed growing frustration over the lack of progress in salary negotiations — a standoff that could shake the foundation of the Reds’ 2025 campaign.
De La Cruz, just 23 years old, has quickly become the heartbeat of the Reds since making his MLB debut. His rare combination of speed, power, and defensive prowess has not only made him a fan favorite in Cincinnati, but also one of the most exciting young players in the league. Despite his star power and production, De La Cruz remains on a team-friendly rookie deal, while comparable players across the league are signing massive extensions.
Behind the scenes, sources say De La Cruz’s camp has pushed for a significant pay bump — either through a new deal or pre-arbitration restructure — to reflect his rising stature in the league. But talks with the front office have reportedly stalled, leading to speculation that the All-Star shortstop could take matters into his own hands.
“He wants to be here. He wants to win in Cincinnati,” one source close to the player said. “But he also knows his worth — and he’s not going to keep playing at a discount forever.”
The Reds’ front office, led by GM Nick Krall, now finds itself in a pressure-cooker situation. With Opening Week already underway and the team eyeing a postseason push, losing De La Cruz would deal a crushing blow to the roster, both in talent and morale.
The Reds begin a home series against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 7, but all eyes may be on the dugout — not the scoreboard. If the situation continues to escalate, fans could be witnessing one of the most shocking mid-season storylines in recent team history.
One thing is clear: if Cincinnati wants to keep its brightest star in a Reds uniform, the time to act is now.
