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MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers Apr 14, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Sports agent Scott Boras talks on a cell phone before a game between the Colrorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles Dodger Stadium California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250414_jhp_al2_0082
Essentials Inside The Story
- The Blue Jays could find themselves in another battle with the Dodgers
- Already, LA played its money card against Kyle Tucker
- The Cincinnati Reds' extension offer would have made the star the highest-paid Red in history before he declined it
The Toronto Blue Jays and the LA Dodgers had been at each other’s throats this offseason. Apparently, the war isn’t ending any time soon. With Mookie Betts announcing his retirement after his contract ends, the Dodgers are looking for another long-term shortstop. Interestingly, there is one star present. However, they are not alone in the chase.
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“(It) has opened up a lot of trade rumors for the Toronto Blue Jays,” Jays Digest’s Nick Gosse said. “If he [Elly De La Cruz] doesn’t want to remain in Cincinnati, this would be a golden opportunity for the Jays.”
Since De La Cruz began his journey in the minor leagues in 2018, he has only known the Cincinnati Reds. However, when the Reds’ president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, reached out to him last spring with a historic extension, he refused it. If he were to agree, the 24-year-old would’ve surpassed Joey Votto’s 10-year, $225 million deal to make franchise history. However, he seems to be looking for a change of scenery.
He is eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2027. He will be eligible for free agency following the 2029 season. Meanwhile, De La Cruz had a simple response to ending the extension decision.
“I let my agent take care of all of that,” De La Cruz stated at Redsfest.
As is historically proven, his agent, Scott Boras, always ensures his players get the best offer.
How clubs view De La Cruz
Last year, the shortstop played the second half of the season with a left quad injury. Still, he hit 22 home runs with 86 RBI and 37 steals. His OPS splits of .848 at home and .618 away reflect a balanced offensive profile worth building around.
In 2024, De La Cruz became the fifth player and the youngest in MLB history to hit at least 20 home runs (25) and steal at least 60 bases (67) in a single season. While he had a drop in his offensive and defensive abilities, his sprint speed and elite exit velocities show tools that excite major league evaluators. The first in line are, of course, the Dodgers.
The buzz grew hotter as Dodgers star Mookie Betts publicly confirmed he plans to retire after his contract ends following the 2032 season. Betts will be 40 when his 12-year, $365 million contract expires, according to multiple reports. This confirmed retirement timeline positions the Dodgers to seek a long-term replacement at the position.
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Elly De La Cruz’s combination of power, speed, and arm strength makes him a logical fit.
On the other hand, the Blue Jays also find themselves in search of a long-term shortstop after Bo Bichette declined Toronto’s qualifying offer and entered free agency. Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets, leaving Toronto’s shortstop spot open.
De La Cruz is now part of that discussion due to his age, team control, and upside. His consistent exit velocity and baserunning metrics underline why teams value his all-around game.
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MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Cincinnati Reds at Washington Nationals Jul 23, 2025 Washington, District of Columbia, USA Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz 44 on the field against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals Park District of Columbia USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBradxMillsx 20250723_dbm_au3_025
The young five-tool player would fit the Blue Jays well alongside Toronto’s strong core of young position players. At the same time, Toronto’s payroll flexibility, shown by prior moves on elite position players, sets them apart from most contenders.
Despite all the speculation, there’s no official confirmation that De La Cruz plans to leave Cincinnati before free agency. However, Krall certainly got one thing clear with the rejection.
“That’s not where he is, and you respect that. It’s their career. You keep going, and you keep working on what you can do today,” Krall remarked earlier in January.
Reports linking him to the Dodgers or other contenders, meanwhile, remain rumors. The two-time All-Star is under team control through at least the 2029 offseason before free agency. So while everyone awaits how next season rolls for the international star, the Dodgers might again try to sway him with one method they know best.
Insider reveals how the Dodgers flip players’ Blue Jays decisions with money
After watching one pursuit bend under financial gravity, both teams are circling Elly De La Cruz with eyes wide open. Los Angeles has already shown how quickly leverage disappears when annual value stops being a debate and becomes a weapon.
They’ve shocked the baseball world by signing Kyle Tucker for $240 million over four years with opt‑outs after years two and three. That $60 million average annual value ranks second-highest in MLB history. Tucker’s deal included a $64 million signing bonus, and the financials alone forced every rival front office to pay attention.
Interestingly, before signing with Los Angeles, Tucker nearly chose the Toronto Blue Jays after they offered him 10 years and $350 million.
According to Whit Merrifield, “But when he signed, his agent texted me and was like, ‘Hey, you know the Jays were… Kyle really wanted to go to Toronto.’”
Toronto’s long‑term proposal was part of serious talks before the Dodgers elevated their offer, ultimately persuading Tucker to shift his decision to Los Angeles.
That choice highlighted how financial power can change outcomes even when a player has a personal preference.
Now the Dodgers and Blue Jays are again linked in the chase for Elly De La Cruz, a rising young star who rejected a franchise‑record extension from the Reds.
Just as with Tucker, Los Angeles’s deep pockets could influence how this pursuit unfolds. The Blue Jays will need every strategy they have to compete with a rival who has repeatedly shown it can flip decisions with money. Meanwhile, baseball fans are already bracing for another financial duel in the coming offseason.