A billion dollars?!
Yes, maybe a billion dollars is what it could take for the Cincinnati Reds to sign Elly De La Cruz to a long-term extension, says The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans. The shortstop turned down a franchise-record contract from the Reds last spring.
"If you're being honest, you don't expect him [De La Cruz] to take it because this is a guy who could be a billion-dollar player," Rosecrans said on a recent episode of Foul Territory. "I think Elly and his representation believe in him enough."
The Reds' offer to De La Cruz would've made him the highest-paid player in franchise history. The offer was reportedly well above Joey Votto's 10-year, $225 million deal.
A billion is far-fetched
For as dynamic a player as De La Cruz is, a $1 billion contract would be absurd for the Reds to give to one player. Juan Soto signed a $765 million contract with the New York Mets, meaning he's still $235 million away from the figure Rosecrans is suggesting De La Cruz could earn.
The 24-year-old's agent is none other than Scott Boras.
“I let my agent take care of all of that,” De La Cruz told Rosecrans at Redsfest. His focus is clearly on the upcoming season.
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