Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz declined a contract extension last spring that would have surpassed Joey Votto's franchise-record 10-year, $225 million deal signed in 2012. The 24-year-old infielder is eligible for arbitration in 2027 and free agency after the 2029 season.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall confirmed the team's proposal Friday. The organization presented De La Cruz with what would have been the largest contract in club history.

"We made Elly an offer that would've made him the highest-paid Red ever," Krall said. "That's not where he is and you respect that. It's their career."

De La Cruz deferred questions about contract negotiations to his agent, Scott Boras. The star shortstop addressed the matter briefly at Redsfest but provided minimal details.

"I let my agent take care of all of that," De La Cruz said.

Several young stars have secured lengthy extensions recently, including Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr., who signed an 11-year, $288.8 million deal in February 2024. Arizona's Corbin Carroll inked an eight-year, $111 million extension in March 2023, while Oakland's Tyler Soderstrom agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract this winter.

However, Boras clients have historically favored free agency over early extensions. Juan Soto rejected a reported 15-year, $440 million offer from Washington in 2022 before ultimately signing a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets last offseason.

Cincinnati successfully extended right-hander Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53 million deal in April 2023. Krall indicated the team has approached other young players about extensions without reaching agreements.

De La Cruz will enter his age-28 season when he reaches free agency following the 2029 campaign.