Cincinnati Reds News Roundup — October 9, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds face a pivotal offseason decision regarding Elly De La Cruz, their 24-year-old shortstop who just completed a 30-30 season. Owner Phil Castellini acknowledged De La Cruz's exceptional talent while signaling that any long-term commitment must align with the franchise's financial constraints. De La Cruz rejected an extension exceeding the $225 million Votto deal and is heading to arbitration with his salary projected to jump from $800,000 to $7.9 million or more. Market observers estimate he could eventually command $500 million to $700 million in free agency, figures the Reds likely cannot sustain while building a competitive roster, raising the possibility that Cincinnati may trade him to maximize return value.

The Reds have several promising prospects positioned to contribute immediately, offering some optimism for the franchise's future. Sal Stewart earned All-Star honors as a rookie, leading the team in home runs and RBI while positioning himself as the favorite for NL Rookie of the Year despite a September decline. Shortstop Jirvin Morillo, just 19 years old, hit .303 with a 139 wRC+ in his first stateside season, while 25-year-old Carter Graham batted .300 with 29 home runs across High-A and Double-A. The Reds plan to add Graham and outfielder Carlos Sanchez to their 40-man roster in coming weeks as both become Rule 5 eligible.

Stewart's candidacy for Rookie of the Year has drawn less media enthusiasm than White Sox counterpart Munetaka Murakami despite comparable statistics, a disparity attributed largely to Cincinnati's poor finish in the NL Central and the White Sox's postseason success. The Reds' 2026 season was marked by comprehensive struggles, as the team ranked last or near-last across hitting, pitching, and fielding metrics according to FanGraphs data, preventing them from competing for a playoff spot.