As Elly De La Cruz chases a 30/30 season, the 44-41 Reds face a crucial July. Will his heroics spark a playoff push or a trade deadline sell-off?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
One look at Elly De La Cruz's recent numbers is enough to make you believe anything is possible. But one look at the team's 44-41 record is enough to give you pause. This is the dilemma facing the Cincinnati Reds as they enter a pivotal July: ride the wave of their young superstars into a playoff chase, or cash in on veterans to double down on the future?
Elly De La Cruz is slashing .347/.449/.747 with 8 HR and 17 RBI over his last 21 games.
Let's start with the obvious: Elly De La Cruz is playing like an MVP. The shortstop is on another planet, leading the team with 16 homers and 21 stolen bases, putting him on a clear path to a 30/30 season. He's not alone, either. Leadoff man TJ Friedl is having a career year, batting .288 and ranking second in all of baseball for times on base from the leadoff spot. When your two most dynamic players are performing at this level, it's hard not to dream about October baseball.
Despite the individual brilliance, the Reds are hovering just above .500. Their inconsistency was on full display in a recent 13-6 drubbing by the Red Sox. Tonight's 4:10 PM game at Fenway Park feels like more than just another game; it's the start of a month that will force the front office's hand. If the team slides, veterans on expiring contracts like Nick Martinez, Austin Hays, and Emilio Pagán could become valuable trade chips for contenders.
The 'build for the future' argument is compelling because the future looks incredibly bright. The farm system is loaded, with Chase Burns (No. 1) and Rhett Lowder (No. 2) headlining a wave of pitching talent. In the field, Sal Stewart and Cam Collier are raking in Double-A. The biggest surprise might be 2024 second-rounder Tyson Lewis, who is tearing up rookie ball with a .339 average and a tantalizing power-speed combo. These players are the organization's crown jewels.
While the front office mulls its big-picture strategy, it's still making moves on the margins. On Tuesday, the Reds signed veteran reliever Buck Farmer to a minor league deal. The 11-year veteran, recently released by the Angels, provides experienced depth for a pitching staff that desperately needs it. It's a low-risk move that shores up the organization without tipping their hand on the larger buy-or-sell question.
The path forward for the Cincinnati Reds will be paved over the next four weeks. Every win and every loss in July carries extra weight. Will the electrifying play of De La Cruz and Friedl convince management to push their chips in for 2025? Or will the allure of an elite farm system and a brighter tomorrow lead them to sell? The clock is ticking, and it all starts today in Boston.
