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 (112)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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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.
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.
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
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.
Not likely, but 2B might be the only spot for an infusion of talent. Sorry, Chuck D.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My uneducated guess for next season is Kike, Teo, Skubal, & Glasnow are gone. JDP in left & Freeland at second to infuse some youth, everything else remains the same. No big signings or trades.
Mark I hope you are right in your assumption. I think the reds would need either Freeland or Miller to play shortstop. I’m not familiar with their defensive grades but everything I read they are excellent fielders. I think the Dodgers would also have to include a MLB ready starting pitcher. I believe that Hunter Greene went down with an injury so the Reds would want to try and help plug that hole. (I don’t think it would be easy to plug Green’e absents but Stone or Sheehan or perhaps Glaslow would give the Reds reason to think about it. The trade couldn’t happen without Sirota or Quintero in the package. So it Feeland, Glaslow and Quintero couldn’t get the trade across the the line I think the Dodgers should walk away. If the Reds would take Teo with that package all the better as long as they took both all of Glaslow and Teo’s contract.
Ben Rortvedt has become a free agent.
I propose trading Ohtani and Friedman for Stan Kroenke .
Who on this blog thought the Dodgers would trade for Mookie Betts?
No one!
Well... ACTUALLY, there were two people on this blog who discussed it:
Jeff Dominique and Mark Timmons.
You all thought we were crazy!
5 Dodgers Who Could Make Larger Impacts in 2027:
H.M.: Tibbs but where exactly?
Keith Law on Dodger prospects in the AFL: ($$$$) https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7697205/2026/10/18/arizona-fall-league-national-league-prospect-scouting-eduardo-quintero/?unlocked_article_code=1.J1E.q47M.LPnL9SQUQI8j&source=user_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Brooks Auger had the best arsenal among potential starters... He’ll be a starter if he can cut that walk rate and use his offspeed stuff more, especially that changeup.
Dodgers right-hander Sam Horn threw an inning in that game, working 94-95 mph with a slider at 82-84 mph. The fastball was fairly flat, and the curveball was mostly down and out of the zone...
Dodgers outfielder Eduardo Quintero is the top-ranked prospect in the AFL this year, ranked No. 15 in my last update...He’s very balanced through contact with a short path to the ball and a finish that lets him meet the ball out front. I didn’t see power on this look but believe it’ll be there given the swing and the projection left on his frame.
The Dodgers take the AFL very seriously, sending significant prospects there every year... Third baseman Chase Harlan only turned 20 in July, ...I saw the power, with a homer hit 101 mph out to dead center and a ball he hit so hard (107 mph!) off the left-field wall that he ended up with a single, along with a definite vulnerability to sliders, even in the zone
Mark's Elly-powered line-up is provocative and fun, but I think unrealistic for many reasons. First, acquiring Elly is a long shot, though I love the sentiment. To get him, however, the Dodgers' trade package would have to included a premium prospect like JdP or Sirota. So having all three of those guys in the same lineup seems like a longer shot than simply acquiring Elly. (There is also the Tucker-at-1B notion--highly implausible with Freddie under contract.) Elly is on my wish list, but let me circle back to what I think is a realistic lineup for 2027 (assuming the owners don't screw it up.). I'm trying to stick with Doc's preferred L/R rhythm here--and YOUTH WILL BE SERVED!
Shohei DH He's back and healthy, but with a load-management regimen to reduce wear and tear. Mookie 2B The de facto captain makes a long-anticipated position shift to make the team younger and better. De Paula LF Too high? Perhaps. But his on-base skills are top shelf. So far, the kid has lived up to the hype. Pages CF Too high? Maybe. The team's most dangerous righty bat is year older and ready for the challenge. Freddie 1B A winter of rest and recuperation will help slow the aging process. Will Smith C Load-management will keep him healthy, with Feduccia backing him up if Rushing needs surgery. Max 3B The much-maligned one will hit another 30 HRs despite a partial platoon with Edman. Pena SS The Dodgers' new toy, at 28, is a proven, top-caliber SS with an .800 OPS righty bat) Tucker RF Yes, the $60-million-per-season disappointment is way down here. He SHOULD be batting 3rd, right?
Bench: Edman, Feduccia, Sirota/Erhard, Freeland/Kim/Noah Miller* (depending on who gets traded)
Imagine that: A Dodgers starting lineup with three players in their 20s!
Like others here, I expect Teo to be dealt to make room for JdP. Perhaps he could fit into trade for a SS. Obviously, I've become bullish on JdP after years of skepticism over the Cartaya-esque hype. I expect him to become an adequate left fielder. It should also be obvious that I'm very bearish on Tucker. Maybe he'll get back to all-star status--but he is getting superduperstar money. Prove me wrong, Tucker. A deal with Houston for Jeremy Pena might include Freeland or Kim, but Pena definitely moves the needle. (In my fantasy lineup, he'd bat behind Freddie when Feduccia plays.) The Dodgers could also get a bit younger than Pena by trying to snag Gunnar Henderson from the O's or Zach Neto from the Angels. Both of those guys would be significant upgrades as well. Fans who think that the Dodgers' management should be content to pencil in Freeland or Kim at 2B should understand that they could be traded for proven talents who have produced 5+ WAR. (Why become a GM if you're not going to wheel and deal?) Let's also note that shifting Mookie to 2B is a bit of load management for an aging star; the position is not nearly as demanding. So that's my plan. AF, if you're reading this, why haven't you hired me? Are you just butthurt that I was right about Tucker and you were wrong? Get over it, man.
NL gold glove finalists announced. Muncy at 3rd and Pages in CF only Dodgers selected.
Monday morning thoughts. My opinions! (1). 100 wins? With all the injuries and lack of producing runs for a lengthy stretch of the season. Not bad. (2). Pitching was for the most part a strength. (3). Bench was weak. Has been for a spell. (4). Outfield was not a strength. Pages was for the first part of the season and in the playoffs. But was invisible a lot of the year. Teo had the hot finish, but overall not that good. Tucker? Better next year! Bank it! (5). If Dalton is out next season, would like to see the Dodgers go get a stronger backup for Will Smith. Feduccia was ok offensively, but weak on defense. (6). Max is attached at the hip to Doc. He ain’t going anywhere . Nor should he. Just like catcher, a strong backup would be at the top of Christmas list. (7). Have faith in Freddie! Healthy and productive next year is almost a certainty! (8). I said a couple weeks ago. Peña from the aaaassstros makes a boatload of sense. (9). The Dodgers can make the reds an offer they won’t refuse. Why not have Pena at second base, and De la Cruz at shortstop, with Mookie going back to right field? Or De la Cruz going to right and Mookie staying at shortstop. Tucker moves to left. (10). Sign Skubal and then trade either Snell or Glasnow. (11). Bring Vesia back! He should remain a Dodger! (12). Forget about trading Pages as I and others have mentioned. Maybe he matured a lot over the last few weeks. Maybe Doc got through to him! (13). No more Kike! He was an integral part of three championships. But it’s time to move on. (14). Move on from Call. (15). If the Dodgers do acquire Pena,or De la Cruz, or both, move on from either one of Freeland or edman. Don’t need both of them. (16). I haven’t forgotten about JDP. I’m just not sure how he fits into the whole plan. He may be better suited for the DH role but they have one of those. Don’t think they should even consider trading him! Can’t make another yordan Alvarez boo boo! (17). I believe Ohtani will end up in the same situation next season if he both pitches and hits. He ain’t getting any younger. (18). I believe they trade some of that minor league depth . Who? I ain’t that smart! (19). Miguel Rojas will be that dugout next season. As a coach of course. He will get on job training to become a manager within the next couple of years. (20). The Dodgers will win the west again next season. They get a little younger, a lot better on the bench, a lot healthier to begin the season. No changes in the dugout, except maybe one of the hitting coaches goes. A fresh outlook would not be a bad thing! The padres move on from Machado. He goes to the Yankees. The dbacks add big time. The giants are no better off than this past season. The Rockies will be better. Another 100 wins is guaranteed for th boys in blue! And another trip back to the World Series!
Will the Dodgers be interested Teruaki Satō (often nicknamed "Satoteru") is a star Japanese professional baseball infielder and outfielder who plays for the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Known for his incredible raw power, towering home runs, and defensive versatility, he has developed into one of the premier players in Japanese baseball.
NPB Triple Crown (2026): Reached the absolute pinnacle of Japanese professional baseball by capturing the batting Triple Crown, becoming only the second player in Hanshin Tigers history (following legendary slugger Randy Bass) to achieve the feat. Central League MVP (2025): Claimed his first Central League Most Valuable Player award after launching 40 home runs and driving in 102 RBIs, leading the Tigers with elite production. Golden Glove & Best Nine Awards: Honored for his stellar defense and offensive output. Japan Series Champion (2023): Key contributor to the Hanshin Tigers' historic championship run. International Play: Represented Samurai Japan on the global stage, including an appearance in the World Baseball Classic. All-Star Selections: A multi-time NPB All-Star.
He is to be posted this year.
Here's what many (not Duke) of you are missing:
Elly may pull a Skubal in arbitration next year.
He can easily make a case that he is one of the top 5 SS in baseball.
But, I am not saying that the Reds WANT to trade him. I am saying that make them an offer that is such a huge overpay that they have to trade him.