What happened: Cincinnati faces persistent offseason questions surrounding the availability of shortstop Elly De La Cruz on the trade market. Rival executives widely expect the franchise to keep the switch-hitting star rather than entertain serious offers.

Why it matters: De La Cruz produced a 30-homer, 30-steal campaign for Cincinnati in 2026 while anchoring the infield. With three full seasons of club control remaining, moving an established 30-30 player would require a historic return that contenders are unlikely to meet.

What to watch: Cincinnati will shape its 2027 roster during the winter meetings as front offices convene to gauge trade prices across the league.