The Boston Red Sox can at least say they shot their shot. The team made an offer for Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. However, the Reds weren’t buying what Boston was selling.
The Red Sox offered a package of prospects for De La Cruz, but the Reds prefer to get young major leaguers in return, McAdam reports. Which prospects were offered isn’t known.
Cincinnati likely isn’t interested in trading their star shortstop. But since De La Cruz turned down a lucrative contract extension that would have been the richest in franchise history, the Reds feel that they have to at least consider trade offers.
De La Cruz, 24, still has three years of arbitration eligibility after this season. So there is no urgency for the Reds to deal him. However, that also maximizes what Cincinnati can ask for in return, knowing that a team would have De La Cruz for multiple seasons.
This season, he is slashing .279/.358/.508 with 18 home runs, 18 doubles, 48 RBI and 20 stolen bases.