Elly De La Cruz and Sam Moll Could Leave the Cincinnati Reds for Deals Worth Upwards of $700 Million.

The Cincinnati Reds have long been a team with rich history and passionate fans, but in recent years, they’ve been in the midst of a transformation. Under the leadership of a new wave of young talent, the Reds have begun to turn the corner and build a team that could compete at a high level in Major League Baseball. Among the most exciting names in the Reds’ pipeline are Elly De La Cruz and Sam Moll, two players whose potential could see them both leave Cincinnati for astronomical sums, with deals worth upwards of $700 million potentially on the table. While this may seem far-fetched at first glance, a deeper dive into their exceptional skill sets, marketability, and MLB’s growing trend toward record-breaking contracts reveals why such an outcome is entirely plausible.

Elly De La Cruz: The Future of Baseball

Elly De La Cruz, a name that has quickly risen to prominence in the MLB, is a 22-year-old shortstop and one of the most highly touted prospects in the game. Known for his incredible combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess, De La Cruz is an exciting and rare talent that many analysts have compared to some of the game’s all-time greats. His arrival on the major league scene has not only electrified Cincinnati but has also captured the attention of baseball fans and front offices around the league.

De La Cruz’s story is remarkable. Signed by the Reds in 2018 as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic, he quickly rose through the minor leagues, showing a rare mix of power and speed. By 2023, he was considered the Reds’ top prospect, and many analysts began speculating that he could be the centerpiece of the Reds’ rebuild. In his first full season with Cincinnati, De La Cruz delivered on his potential, posting outstanding offensive numbers, including impressive home run totals and a stolen base count that made him a dual threat on the base paths.

What makes De La Cruz such a unique and valuable commodity in today’s game is his physical traits and his playing style. Standing 6’5” and weighing 200 pounds, he combines the power of a slugger with the speed of a base-stealer. He is an incredibly fast runner, posting one of the fastest sprint speeds in MLB, and his ability to turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples makes him a constant threat. He also plays shortstop with great agility, showcasing exceptional range and arm strength, making him one of the top defensive shortstops in the league.

With these traits, De La Cruz is a player who has the potential to be one of the faces of baseball for the next decade. His rare combination of power, speed, and defense would make him an attractive target for teams seeking to build around a star player for the long term. While the Reds are fortunate to have him, it’s entirely possible that the market for De La Cruz could reach a fever pitch as he continues to develop and his prime years approach. Teams with financial resources would likely offer him a historic deal, pushing his value into the stratosphere.

The $700 Million Deal for De La Cruz

A $700 million contract for De La Cruz may seem unthinkable at first glance. After all, the highest baseball contracts to date have hovered around $500 million, such as those of Mike Trout and Mookie Betts. However, when we look at the current trajectory of baseball salaries, particularly the contracts for the best players in the game, it’s clear that a deal of this magnitude is not out of the realm of possibility for a player of De La Cruz’s caliber.

Recent contracts, like the one signed by Aaron Judge in 2022 ($360 million for 9 years), demonstrate the increasing willingness of teams to invest large sums into superstar players. Furthermore, MLB contracts have been trending upwards as the sport’s revenue continues to increase, particularly with lucrative television deals and expanding international markets. De La Cruz, with his combination of dynamic skills, youthful appeal, and marketability, could be in line for a deal that pushes beyond current records. A 12-year deal worth $700 million, or possibly more, would not only make him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world but would also set a new benchmark for the highest-paying contracts in baseball.

It’s important to consider the competition for De La Cruz’s services. In a few years, as he approaches free agency or a possible contract extension, teams like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets would be very interested in acquiring his talents. These organizations have historically shown a willingness to break the bank for top-tier players, and De La Cruz’s profile as a future MVP candidate could make him an extremely attractive option.

For the Reds, keeping De La Cruz could be an expensive proposition. The team would need to navigate not only his growing salary demands but also the challenges of locking up their other core players. The Reds may be able to make a competitive offer, but the financial landscape of MLB could see De La Cruz seek greener pastures if other teams offer a bigger payday.

Sam Moll: The Unsung Star with Immense Potential

While much of the attention around the Cincinnati Reds has been focused on the explosive talent of Elly De La Cruz, another player who could be in line for a massive deal is Sam Moll. A left-handed pitcher, Moll has emerged as one of the Reds’ most reliable relievers, boasting an impressive arsenal of pitches and the ability to shut down opposing hitters in high-leverage situations.

Moll, originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2014, has had an unconventional path to the major leagues. After spending several years in the minor leagues, he was called up to the Reds in 2021, where he quickly earned a role in the bullpen. Moll has a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider that allows him to get both left-handed and right-handed batters out. His ability to generate strikeouts and manage difficult situations makes him a key asset in the back end of the bullpen.

While relief pitchers do not typically command the same kinds of long-term, high-dollar contracts as position players or starting pitchers, Moll’s success in high-leverage situations could make him a highly sought-after free agent. As MLB continues to emphasize bullpen depth and the importance of shutdown relievers, pitchers like Moll, who can be relied upon to close out games, are becoming more valuable. The increasing importance of the bullpen in the postseason, combined with teams looking to secure lockdown arms, could drive Moll’s market value into the $100 million range or higher, a significant sum for a relief pitcher.

In an era where even middle relievers are being paid handsomely, Moll’s consistency and ability to perform in pressure situations could see him earn a multi-year contract worth upwards of $100 million. A deal like that would push his total earnings over the $700 million mark when combined with De La Cruz’s potential deal, highlighting the Reds’ two young stars and their potential to both leave the team for eye-popping sums.

Why the Reds Might Struggle to Keep Both De La Cruz and Moll

While the Reds have some promising talent on their roster, keeping both De La Cruz and Moll could be a difficult task. The financial realities of Major League Baseball mean that most small-market teams like Cincinnati are unable to compete with the resources of the sport’s larger-market franchises. The Reds will face pressure to either sign their stars to long-term deals or risk losing them to free agency.

The Reds, despite their historic success in the past, are currently not among the highest-spending teams in the league. If they are unable to allocate the kind of money necessary to retain both De La Cruz and Moll, they may need to make tough decisions about their future direction. While they may attempt to lock down De La Cruz, it’s possible that Moll could be more expendable, depending on how the team evaluates their bullpen depth and long-term plans.

Another complicating factor for the Reds is the overall competitiveness of their roster. With De La Cruz and Moll as key pieces, the Reds’ window for contention may not line up with the timeline of their younger stars’ peak years. This discrepancy could make it more difficult for the Reds to justify investing hundreds of millions into long-term contracts, particularly if they feel they are not yet in a position to compete for a World Series.

The Larger MLB Context: Record-Breaking Deals Becoming the Norm

The idea of a $700 million contract may seem unprecedented, but it’s important to consider the broader context of MLB’s evolving financial landscape. In recent years, we’ve seen a significant rise in the size of contracts for star players. Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 was the largest in MLB history at the time, and Mookie Betts’ 12-year, $365 million deal with the Dodgers followed shortly thereafter. These deals reflect the increasing revenues that teams are generating through television contracts, sponsorships, and the growing international appeal of the sport.

As the collective bargaining agreement continues to evolve and MLB revenue continues to increase, the possibility of $700 million contracts becoming more common cannot be ruled out. De La Cruz, as one of the game’s top young talents, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, and Moll, as a reliable and high-performing reliever, could also benefit from the growing demand for bullpen depth.

Conclusion: A $700 Million Future?

While the idea of Elly De La Cruz and Sam Moll leaving the Cincinnati Reds for deals worth upwards of $700 million might seem like a bold prediction, it is certainly a possibility in the ever-evolving world of Major League Baseball. De La Cruz’s combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess, combined with Moll’s dominance in the bullpen, positions both players as future stars with the potential to command astronomical contracts.

For the Reds, keeping these players could be a monumental challenge, especially as teams