is elly the dodgers' future ss?
At 6-foot-6, De La Cruz has extraordinary reach and quickness, but he can still struggle with routine plays. His arm is so powerful that he sometimes seems to rely on it rather than set his feet and make an uncomplicated throw.
There has been chatter… mostly on Dodger blogs, that Elly De La Cruz should be the Dodgers' target as their next SS. His spectacular range and arm make him a potential Gold Glove defender, although consistency remains the big issue.
Elly makes spectacular plays... but sometimes struggles with the routine. Just 24 years old, I think that Elly could be expected to become more consistent as he matures.
His 2026 performance represents a substantial rebound from 2025. His +7 OAA places him well above average, and a September report put him in the 93rd percentile defensively. I did not think he could be a SS last year. I have changed my position based on his improvement.
At 6-foot-6, De La Cruz has extraordinary reach and quickness, but, as I mentioned, he can still struggle with routine plays. His arm is so powerful that he sometimes seems to rely on it rather than set his feet and make an uncomplicated throw.
Interestingly, Statcast credits him with +9 OAA moving toward third base in 2026 but -3 moving toward first base. That suggests some directional inconsistency despite his exceptional athletic ability.
But I have changed my conclusion on Elly De La Cruz based on updates: Elly is already a plus defensive MLB shortstop, but I wouldn't call him the best defensive shortstop in baseball. His ceiling is 9.5/10 if he improves his consistency.
comparison of top ss
Bobby Witt Jr. | My grade: 9.5/10
The clear defensive leader in this group for 2026. His +24 OAA is elite, and he combines outstanding range with reliable hands and a strong arm.
Mookie Betts | My grade: 8.5/10
Betts has developed into a very capable shortstop. His positioning, instincts and ability to make routine plays compensate for less raw range than Witt or De La Cruz.
Elly De La Cruz | My grade: 8/10
Probably the most physically gifted defender here, but his 18 errors and inconsistent year-to-year OAA keep him below Witt. His upside is enormous.
Francisco Lindor | My grade: 7.5/10 for 2026
Historically an excellent defensive shortstop, he has seen his 2026 range metrics decline considerably from his peak seasons.
The Dodgers angle
If I'm evaluating whether the Dodgers need to replace Mookie Betts at shortstop, these numbers certainly don't make that case. Betts actually produced slightly more Outs Above Average than De La Cruz in 2026 while committing half as many errors.
For De La Cruz, the bigger attraction to a team like Los Angeles would be the complete package: switch-hitting power, extraordinary speed, youth and defensive upside.
And that raises an interesting roster-building question: Would the Dodgers be better with De La Cruz at shortstop and Betts at second base?
Defensively, that is not an automatic improvement based on their 2026 performances. Offensively and in terms of long-term roster construction, however, it becomes a much more intriguing proposition. It could help prolong Mookie's career.
Why would the reds trade him?
So, this is the $500 million question, which, by the way, could be the contract Elly gets in 2030 when he becomes a free agent. He is arbitration-eligible next year and will likely get $10 million or more… He could ask for $20.
The Reds offered him a $225 Million Contract last year, and he turned it down. That was the biggest contract ever by Cincinnati... eclipsing the one given to Joey Votto. They know they will lose Elly in 2030, so if they could improve the team greatly, they may be inclined to do so.
However, for that to happen, the Dodgers would have to start with Eduardo Quintero, who is also a possible superstar, in a year or two. The Reds would also require more MMLB-ready talent such as James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard. The Dodgers would also need to include Teoscar Hernandez and $10 million. Teo might hit 40 HR in Great American Ballpark as their DH.
That might come close to getting the job done, but it may take one more prospect, not named DePaula, Sirota, Morales, or Zazueta.
Two days ago, I traded Freddie to Atlanta. With this trade, here are your 2027 Los Angeles Dodgers:
Ohtani DH
Betts 2B
DeLa Curz SS
DePaula LF
Pages RF
Muncy 3B
Sirota CF
Tucker 1B
Smith C
OK, skewer me!
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Discussion (14)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Houston tried Tucker at first base one spring training. He played first base in two games. That was it. It suggests that experiment went as well as the Dodgers Joc at first base attempt.
If AF can work his magic and get Elly I am all in . The only untouchables IMHO would be JDP and Morales. A combination of Sirota/ Quintero plus Sheehan/Wrobo plus Shelton/Harlan plus Tibbs/Erhard might entice the Reds enough. If necessary throw in a guy like Kim or Freeland.
Would try to trade Teo for sure over the winter to make room for JDP in LF. The kid has more than enough foot speed (as evidenced by his 30 SB this season) to play there. Work him hard over the winter with a guy like Heyward and I am sure he will play an average LF with room to get better as the season goes along.
Wow! I suggested recently that Muncy was not exactly clutch. I had many take exception to that. Someone wrote what about the Atlanta series? Muncy in one game hit a Homer to extend a 3 to 1 lead to 4 to 1. Great, those are situations Max does well in. No one on, a lead in place. Max nearly hit 30 home runs this year. That many home runs should have produced 90 to 105 RBIS. Max didn't hit the 80 mark. For the home runs he did hit he under produced. I don't claim to be a stats geek, but I do follow the team, and it seemed that when batting in a big spot with runners on and in a tie game or behind Max would fail. Max would often hit his home runs with a lead and no one on. I truly am a Dodger fan, I've been one longer than many of you have been alive. I like certain players, but ultimately I am a fan of the team. I want what's best for the team to win. Trade an older player for the betterment of the team? ABSOLUTELY! Does Max have value for value for the team? Sure, but if trading him or anyone would make the team better do it. On the t.v. show "Monk" he often said his gift was "A blessing and a curse." Dave Roberts patience with players is also a blessing and a curse. The team had a great run, but with the right moves the run isn't over. Dodgers are probably stuck with some of these long expensive contracts, but where they can get younger they should. One guy posted a stat from last year's playoffs against the Brewers compared to this year. The offensive stats were virtually identical, it was a pitching that let them down, both starting and bullpen. Hopefully someone smarter than us fans have a plan, we'll see.
Well, he would not be wearing #44. that belongs to Pages. Freddie is not getting traded. DePaula will have to work very hard on his defense to be the starting left fielder. They trade Teo, Tucker stays in right.
Not likely, but 2B might be the only spot for an infusion of talent. Sorry, Chuck D.
Like others I would love to see De La Cruz on the Dodgers. The question remains - why would the Reds trade their franchise player years before they have to?
From what I just read the Dodgers currently owe $347 million to 14 players next year. Most of that is owed to the older players who ran out of gas in October. These are players with contracts that would be difficult to move.
The Dodgers fielded the oldest group of position players in the major leagues this year. As Shaikin put it this morning “It worked. Three rings in six years. Now the bill comes due.”
The Dodgers ended the season with a < .500 record against teams with > .500 record. I believe that is a large tell.
Why would anyone expect Ohtani to have a MVP season pitching and hitting when this past year he was successful at doing both for only 1/2 the season. Because they want him to? He’s 33 next year with a history of injuries including 2 TJ surgeries. Pick a lane Shohei.
Mookie 34 Freddie 37. Smith 1.7 WAR, hit in the face too many times. Muncy 37. Glasnow. His name says it all. He’s like glass now. Snell. 9 starts. The bench, all of it will need rebuilding. Mark Walter. CBA.
There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, with a couple of the most important ones out of the Dodgers control.
The Dodgers are in the driver seat. The developmental and minor league brain trust definitely know who they have on the farm. But for the life of me I don't understand why teams trade with Andrew Friedman. He more often than not fleeces other GM's. The last superstar he traded for was Mookie. And he gave up Verdugo, Downs & Wong. Wow. If he can do the same for Elly, I'm def on board! How about Kim, Tibbs & Feduccia. Ha ha. AF is a savage, he's done it before. Book em
IMO, the Reds are NOT trading De La Cruz to the Dodgers. The Reds are under no immediate pressure to move Elly De La Cruz because they still have three years of team control over him, and he is a two‑time All‑Star and franchise cornerstone.
Median OPS for first baseman in 2026 was .765. Freeman’s was .792 (according to Gemini). Why are we trading Freeman?
As for JDP, I have no doubt he will improve as an outfielder. But whether he is capable enough at the start of 2027 (whenever that might be) is TBD.