Elly De La Cruz has always been a highlight reel. In 2026 he turned it into a complete season. The 24-year-old Reds shortstop became the fourth Cincinnati player ever to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases, and the first since Brandon Phillips in 2007. He’s also at the center of this offseason’s biggest trade speculation, which makes him No. 2 overall in our latest Top 700 Dynasty Rankings and one of the most interesting players to evaluate.
The 2026 season by the numbers
De La Cruz hit .283/.365/.515 with an .880 OPS, a career best, over 143 games. He added 30 home runs, 79 RBIs, 99 runs scored, 30 doubles and 30 stolen bases. FanGraphs credited him with 6.4 WAR, and the All-MLB Second Team recognized him this week. He ranked ninth in the National League in homers and eighth in steals.
He joined an exclusive group. Eric Davis (37 HR, 50 SB in 1987), Barry Larkin (33 and 36 in 1996) and Phillips (30 and 32 in 2007) are the only other Reds with a 30/30 season. A late surge got him there, with nine homers in September, and he reached 30 steals one day after hitting his 30th homer. It was also his third straight season with at least 22 homers and 30 steals.
What changed under the hood
The biggest improvement came from the right side of the plate. Against left-handed pitchers, the switch-hitter posted a .990 OPS and 10 homers, compared with a .618 OPS and five homers in 2025. That removes the platoon weakness that kept him from being a complete hitter.
The quality of contact was elite, too. Statcast-based figures showed a 16.4% barrel rate, a 53.8% hard-hit rate and a .376 xwOBA (95th percentile). The power is real, so this wasn’t a lucky season. The usual caveat applies, though: his strikeout rate is still the main source of volatility in his batting average, and a hamstring injury interrupted his season.
The trade buzz
The Reds went 75-87 and missed the playoffs after reaching them in 2025, and the rumors began almost as soon as the World Series ended. MLB insider Jim Bowden said the Reds will “absolutely” consider trading him this offseason. The Red Sox reportedly made a strong offer at the deadline that Cincinnati turned down, and Bowden reports Boston will keep pursuing a shortstop upgrade. The Dodgers and Mariners have also been mentioned as speculative landing spots.
At the GM Meetings, Reds president Nick Krall didn’t shut the door. He said there have been no conversations about De La Cruz this offseason, added that he’d never say never, and said the team wants to keep him as long as possible. De La Cruz has three years of team control before free agency in 2029, and with Scott Boras as his agent a long-term extension isn’t guaranteed. The Reds reportedly tried one in spring 2025. With a lockout looming on Dec. 1, the next few weeks matter.
Dynasty outlook
On production alone, De La Cruz belongs in the top two. He’s 24, he combines 30-homer power with 30-steal speed, and he plays shortstop. Hitters who provide elite value in both categories are scarce, and his 2026 skills support another big season.
A trade would mostly be a positive. A stronger lineup around him, in Boston or Los Angeles, would boost his runs and RBIs. The potential downside is giving up Great American Ball Park’s hitter-friendly dimensions, which could trim some home runs. Neither factor should change his place in the rankings, but managers in category leagues should keep an eye on it.
If you own him, hold. If you’re trying to acquire him, a trade rumor won’t lower the price much, and a deal that makes headlines might raise it. The Reds’ losing season doesn’t change his value either, since his stats came on his own.