In 2024, the Cincinnati Reds made headlines by signing their star rookie, Elly De La Cruz, to a contract worth $742,500, which happens to be the league minimum salary for Major League Baseball players. The move raised questions and sparked conversations about the realities of baseball salaries, the structure of rookie contracts, and the potential implications for both the player and the team.
Elly De La Cruz, a dynamic and promising shortstop, has quickly become one of the most exciting players in the MLB. His combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess makes him an immediate standout, and many see him as a cornerstone of the Reds’ future. However, the figure of $742,500, while impressive to most, is the standard league minimum for players with no prior major league service time. For comparison, a seasoned player in the league can earn millions, sometimes tens of millions, depending on their experience and contract negotiations. So, why did the Reds give their star player the league minimum, and what does this mean?
The structure of MLB contracts for young players is governed by the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which is designed to control salaries in the early stages of a player’s career. Under the CBA, a player’s first three years in the major leagues are typically paid the league minimum, which in 2024 is set at $742,500. After this period, players become eligible for salary arbitration, where they can negotiate for higher pay based on their performance and market value. It’s important to note that even during these early years, players are still subject to pre-arranged rules that favor teams in terms of financial control.
The decision to pay De La Cruz the league minimum also ties into a broader economic reality of professional baseball. Teams are often hesitant to offer large contracts to young, unproven players until they’ve had significant time to prove their consistency at the major league level. While De La Cruz’s immense talent is clear, the Reds—like other teams—must balance immediate performance with long-term financial strategy. By keeping De La Cruz on the league minimum salary, the Reds maintain budget flexibility and avoid the financial risks of committing to a larger contract before the player has demonstrated sustained success in the big leagues.
From De La Cruz’s perspective, while the league minimum salary may seem like a modest amount, it’s worth remembering that he also has the potential for lucrative endorsement deals, especially given his star status. Moreover, this is only the beginning of his career. Once De La Cruz completes his initial three years, he will likely move into salary arbitration, where he can begin earning a much higher salary. If he continues to develop and prove his value, it could be only a matter of time before the Reds offer him a multi-million-dollar contract, or even a long-term extension, to secure his place as the face of the franchise.
For the Reds, offering the league minimum to a player of De La Cruz’s caliber might seem like a bargain, but it’s also a necessary aspect of how the modern baseball economy works. Teams often use these early years to evaluate a player’s long-term potential before making a significant investment. If De La Cruz continues to develop into the star everyone expects, the Reds may soon find themselves in a position to sign him to a major contract, but for now, the league minimum salary is the starting point.
In conclusion, the decision to pay Elly De La Cruz the league minimum is less about undervaluing his potential and more about adhering to the established structures in professional baseball. While it may seem underwhelming for a player of his talent, it’s simply the reality of the economics of the game. If De La Cruz lives up to his promise, his pay will rise substantially in the years to come, both through salary arbitration and potentially through a lucrative contract extension. Until then, the Reds are getting a bargain for their star shortstop, and De La Cruz is working his way toward a much brighter financial future.
