5 Scott Boras Contract Extensions That Should Give Reds Fans Hope for an Elly De La Cruz Deal
The idea of locking up Elly De La Cruz long-term may feel like a long shot to many Reds fans, especially given that the electric shortstop is represented by Scott Boras—a super-agent known for guiding his clients to free agency. Still, there’s reason for optimism.
While Boras typically maximizes player value on the open market, there are multiple examples of him negotiating pre-free agency extensions even for elite talent. Here’s a look at five notable Boras-negotiated extensions that prove a long-term deal with De La Cruz isn’t impossible.
1. Jose Altuve – Houston Astros
- Extension(s): 5 years, $151M (2018); followed by a new deal in 2024
- Takeaway: The Astros didn’t just extend Altuve once—they did it twice. Boras helped broker a path for Altuve to stay with one club long-term, something Cincinnati could certainly aim for with De La Cruz. The Astros treated their franchise cornerstone like a franchise cornerstone—and it paid off.
2. Stephen Strasburg – Washington Nationals
- Extension(s): 7 years, $175M → Re-signed for 7 years, $245M in 2019
- Takeaway: While extensions for pitchers are rare, Strasburg’s mega-deal shows that Boras isn’t anti-extension—especially if his client is happy and the team meets the price. If De La Cruz continues to dazzle in Cincinnati and the Reds step up financially, a deal could be found.
3. Carlos Gonzalez – Colorado Rockies
- Extension: 8 years, $80M (2011)
- Takeaway: This deal was struck very early in Gonzalez’s career, similar to De La Cruz’s current timeline. The contract gave the Rockies cost control through arbitration and delayed free agency—something the Reds front office has already shown interest in replicating.
4. Elvis Andrus – Texas Rangers
- Extension: 8 years, $120M (2013)
- Takeaway: Andrus signed two deals with the Rangers, the second of which was negotiated by Boras and bought out multiple free agency years. This type of long-term structure could mirror what the Reds aim for with De La Cruz—especially as he’s still years away from hitting free agency.
5. Xander Bogaerts – Boston Red Sox
- Extension: 6 years, $120M (2019)
- Takeaway: Though Bogaerts eventually left Boston, this deal was a classic example of a mutual win: cost certainty for the team and long-term security for the player. The Reds could strike a similar balance paying a premium now to avoid a bidding war later.
Scott Boras may be known for high-stakes free agency, but his history also shows he’s open to extensions when the fit is right. For the Reds, the blueprint is clear: make a serious, forward-thinking offer that reflects De La Cruz’s rising superstar value. If Cincinnati is bold and Boras is pragmatic, a long-term deal could still become a reality.
