Scott Boras suggests Elly De La Cruz will pursue MLB free agency

Agent Scott Boras indicated that Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is unlikely to sign a contract extension before reaching free agency. Boras noted that his client intends to wait for the market to dictate his future value rather than committing to a long-term deal with the club early. The Reds currently retain three years of control over De La Cruz following the end of this season, including his upcoming first arbitration cycle. While the club hopes to build its roster around the infielder, the team remains outside of postseason contention this year. Any failure to secure a long-term extension leaves open the possibility of the organization exploring trade options if team performance does not improve. De La Cruz has continued to produce at a high level, maintaining a career-best OPS as the Reds look toward future roster construction.

• 4:45 PMYahoo Sports — Elly De La Cruz Post-Reds Future Made Clear