What happened: Rival Major League Baseball executives believe the Cincinnati Reds will retain shortstop Elly De La Cruz this winter, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Multiple front-office officials indicated they would be stunned if Cincinnati moved its cornerstone player ahead of 2027.
Why it matters: De La Cruz remains Cincinnati's primary offensive and defensive anchor after completing a 30-homer, 30-steal season in 2026. While external speculation surfaced early this winter, the Reds were urged to hold off on trading their All-Star given his remaining team control.
By the numbers: De La Cruz recorded 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases for Cincinnati in 2026 with three seasons of club control remaining.
What to watch: Cincinnati will focus on surrounding De La Cruz with complementary roster pieces as the winter meetings approach. Front offices across the league will monitor whether any rival attempts to test Cincinnati's resolve with a major trade proposal.