Elly De La Cruz Sends Urgent Playoff Message to Cincinnati Reds Before 2026 Season

The Cincinnati Reds made a National League Wild Card run a season ago. In 2026, can the Reds win the National League Central division?

It will be a challenge. While the St. Louis Cardinals are entering a complete rebuild and the Pittsburgh Pirates are probably still a year or two away from seriously contending, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are likely going to be the favorites in the division. Elly De La Cruz wants the Reds to have their focus to be on winning the division, however.

"Yeah, all day," De La Cruz responded when asked if the Reds should be thinking about winning the NL Central, via Joe Danneman. "That's our goal this year. I think we can do it."

De La Cruz also said he believes the team is better this season as compared to last year, which will excite Reds fans since last year's ball club was a postseason team.

The Brewers don't always make the most notable moves in the offseason, but they often find ways to win ball games. Milwaukee -- somewhat quietly -- finished with the best record in all of baseball last year. Although they traded Freddy Peralta this past offseason, the Brewers will probably still be in the conversation for the NL Central title.

The Cubs added a number of players this past offseason, including Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera. Losing Kyle Tucker was not ideal, but Chicago may be the favorite in the division.

De La Cruz believes in the Reds, though. Cincinnati's big move in the offseason was bringing in Eugenio Suarez. The Reds' lineup still has some questions, but the starting pitching features the potential to be elite.

And with De La Cruz, Suarez and rookie Sal Stewart leading the lineup, perhaps the offense will surprise the MLB world.

Elly De La Cruz has the ceiling of an MVP candidate. At only 24 years old, he is already a two-time All-Star. He has only played three big league seasons so far, but he finished eighth in MVP voting in 2024 and 23rd in MVP voting last year. With that being said, De La Cruz has endured some ups and downs. If he can find true consistency and put it all together this year, 2026 could be a massive campaign for the shortstop.

He will do everything he can to help the Reds upset expectations and win the NL Central.