it’s always interesting when the press leak that a player turned down a “record breaking” contract the reds offered elly de la cruz (edlc) a contract that eclipses the franchise breaking $225m / 10 year deal that votto signed this paints edlc as greedy for turning down $225+ but edlc is likely already worth way more than $22.5m + average annual value (aav) how much more is he worth? let’s check a few comps based on edlc’s 4.3 fwar this year - willy adames produced 4.0 fwar making $26m aav - bo bichette produced 3.8 fwar and signed a $42m aav contract this offseason - dansby swanson produced 3.3 fwar making $25m aav edlc is also 3 years younger than bichette (27) who is the youngest player in the comps considering ~$10m per war is the benchmark, edlc is likely worth a contract similar to bichette especially when you factor in age and ceiling (edlc produced 6+ fwar last year). you could even argue, he’s in line for a soto/judge like contract if everything aligns for him. so, all in all edlc likely turned down a big low ball offer. especially since the reds/press didn’t leak the actual total contract value. https://x.com/theathleticmlb/status/2012369503108141268?s=46&t=dGdml54Bn5gAjlxSoZTivg