Reds must rethink everything if they want Elly De La Cruz to commit long term

Cincinnati Reds, Elly De La Cruz | John Fisher/GettyImagesThe Cincinnati Reds would've loved to lock Elly De La Cruz up long-term with a franchise-record contract, but so far, it isn't in the cards. It's not time to panic or start dreaming up trade packages. The Reds still have time to negotiate with their franchise centerpiece, and may even benefit from waiting until the new CBA becomes finalized next offseason (hopefully without a work stoppage).

Changes in the market, however, show that Cincinnati has to think outside-the-box to get De La Cruz to commit. The star shortstop is repped by Scott Boras, who is notoriously a tough customer when it comes to extensions. He knows the value of an…