Reds owner's comments foreshadow a tough Elly De La Cruz decision

Reds owner Phil Castellini publicly backed general manager Nick Krall while addressing the team's future with star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, calling him a "once-in-a-lifetime talent" but suggesting any contract decisions must fit within the franchise's overall strategy. De La Cruz just completed his first 30-30 season and is heading to arbitration, with his salary projected to jump from $800,000 to $7.9 million or more in 2027, and he previously rejected a Reds extension offer that exceeded Joey Votto's franchise-record $225 million deal. Market observers believe De La Cruz could eventually command $500 million to $700 million on the open market, figures the Reds likely cannot afford while building a competitive roster around him. The situation raises questions about whether Cincinnati will eventually trade the 24-year-old to maximize return value rather than commit to a long-term deal it cannot sustain.

Summary written by MLB Feed Network based on the original reporting. How we write summaries