In a surprising revelation, Terry Francona, manager of the Reds, admits he'd handle things differently with Elly De La Cruz's playing time if he could turn back time. But here's the catch: how do you balance a player's relentless drive with their physical well-being?
Looking back at the 2025 season, De La Cruz, the 23-year-old All-Star shortstop, played an astonishing 162 games, starting in 161 of them, all while dealing with a nagging left quadriceps strain. Despite this injury, he refused to sit out, even after the devastating loss of his sister. And this is where it gets intriguing: Francona, acknowledging his own responsibility, admits he should've found ways to give De La Cruz more rest.
De La Cruz's stats are impressive: a .264 batting average, .776 OPS, 22 homers, 86 RBIs, and 37 steals. But a closer look reveals a concerning trend. He hit 18 homers in his first 79 games, but only managed four more in the remaining 83 games of the season. This decline in performance raises questions about the impact of fatigue and injury.
Francona now aims to manage De La Cruz's playing time more proactively in 2026, learning from the past. He doesn't want to repeat the mistake of waiting too long to give his star player a break. As for the team's overall performance, Francona is determined to improve on the 83-77 record from his first year managing Cincinnati. The Reds made it to the postseason but were swiftly eliminated by the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Series.
Francona's message is clear: the goal is not just to make the playoffs but to go further. He wants the Reds to be more than just a feel-good story, and he believes they have what it takes to achieve more. But is this a realistic expectation? With a young star like De La Cruz, how do you balance pushing for success and ensuring long-term health? Share your thoughts on this delicate balance in the comments below.
