Red Sox Took Wild Swing At Blockbuster Elly De La Cruz Trade originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Boston Red Sox apparently aimed even higher than anyone realized before the MLB trade deadline. Boston completed one blockbuster by acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles. But chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reportedly explored another potentially franchise-altering move before the deadline passed.The Red Sox attempted to convince the Cincinnati Reds to trade superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz, according to USA Todays Bob Nightengale.The Boston Red Sox tried to convince the Cincinnati Reds to trade shortstop Elly De La Cruz, but never came close to acquiring him, Nightengale wrote Sunday.The second half of that report matters. Cincinnati apparently never reached the point where a deal became realistic, and there is no indication Boston came close to landing De La Cruz.Still, the pursuit says plenty about how Breslow viewed the deadline.Red Sox Considered Massive Shortstop UpgradeBoston reportedly investigated several possible long-term solutions at shortstop, including CJ Abrams, Jeremy Pea, Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards.De La Cruz represented the most ambitious option.The 24-year-old is a two-time All-Star and one of baseballs most dynamic players. He entered Sunday with an .860 OPS and already had produced at least 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons. His rare combination of power and speed would have transformed Bostons lineup. Fenway Park also would have provided an intriguing home for a switch-hitter capable of changing games with his bat, legs and arm.De La Cruzs defensive inconsistency remains a concern, but there are few shortstops with his overall ceiling.The Red Soxs interest came while Trevor Story was sidelined by an injury. Story also had failed to match his 2025 production when healthy, increasing speculation that Boston might pursue a younger, long-term answer at the position. Landing De La Cruz would have resolved that question emphatically.MORE:Adley Rutschman Makes Strong First Impression With Red SoxCincinnati Had Little Reason To ListenThe largest obstacle was not identifying De La Cruz as a worthwhile target. It was creating an offer Cincinnati would seriously consider.De La Cruz remains under club control for three more seasons, giving the Reds no financial urgency to move him. Any trade package likely would have started with one of Bostons top prospects before expanding into several additional premium assets.Shortstop Franklin Arias almost certainly would have entered the conversation. The 20-year-old is among the most valuable players in Bostons farm system and projects as a possible long-term starter in the middle infield. The Red Sox already surrendered significant talent to acquire Rutschman. Completing another blockbuster for De La Cruz could have depleted a farm system Breslow spent years strengthening.That explains why a deal never became particularly close. It also makes Bostons inquiry more interesting.Breslow was willing to investigate an aggressive swing despite the enormous projected cost. After watching the Red Sox emerge as one of baseballs hottest teams, he considered adding not only Rutschman but one of MLBs brightest young stars.Boston ultimately will have to find another answer at shortstop if it wants to move beyond Story. De La Cruz probably never was a realistic solution. But the fact Breslow called Cincinnati indicates the Red Sox no longer are thinking small.More Red SoxLatest Red Sox news2026 Red Sox schedule2026 Red Sox rosterComplete history of Red Sox championships