The Boston Red Sox have explored a blockbuster trade for Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, but the two clubs have not made meaningful progress toward an agreement.

MassLive’s Sean McAdam reported Saturday that Boston has been unable to satisfy Cincinnati’s substantial asking price for the 24-year-old star.

According to McAdam, the Reds "are at least willing to listen to teams who might meet their admittedly high asking price," leaving the possibility of a deal open if Boston improves its proposal.

However, the two organizations appear to value potential trade packages differently. McAdam added that the Red Sox’s offer "mostly" consisted of prospects, while Cincinnati is "more interested in young major leaguers."

The MLB trade deadline closes Monday at 6 p.m. ET. The Reds entered Saturday at 52-57 before falling 4-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. The loss dropped the club to 52-58 on the season and strengthened the argument for the organization to sell before the deadline.

Boston is approaching the deadline from a much different position. The Red Sox are planning on "going big," according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, after a 21-4 July pushed the club back into postseason contention.

De La Cruz entered Saturday with a .279/.358/.508 slash line, 18 home runs, and 48 RBI through 90 games in his fourth season with Cincinnati.

Red Sox face steep price in Elly De La Cruz trade talks

Cincinnati qualified for the postseason in 2025 but was swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Wild Card round. The result extended the franchise’s postseason win drought dating back to 2012.

That recent playoff appearance, combined with the Reds’ reported interest in young major leaguers, suggests the front office may prefer to retool its roster rather than begin a lengthy rebuild.

De La Cruz is not the only prominent Cincinnati player to attract attention. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently underscored that right-handed pitcher Hunter Greene was "drawing significant interest," potentially giving the Reds another valuable trade asset. Greene’s reported market appeared to be growing as the deadline approached.

However, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote Friday that the 26-year-old flamethrower is "no longer available."

Cincinnati’s apparent reluctance to trade Greene, along with its preference for major league talent in negotiations involving De La Cruz, further indicates the organization wants players who can contribute immediately.

This is not the first time a high asking price has complicated Boston’s pursuit of shortstop help. McAdam previously shared in an article that a potential deal for Miami Marlins infielder Otto Lopez was "dead" because the Red Sox were unwilling to offer a top prospect such as Franklin Arias.

McAdam did not confirm whether Boston has included Arias in any proposal for De La Cruz.

Rosenthal and Jen McCaffrey previously reported in an article for The Athletic that Arias is a "popular trade target" who "could help the team land a major leaguer at his position under multiple years of club control."

The 20-year-old shortstop is ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. Boston’s willingness to include Arias or controllable major league talent could ultimately determine whether its pursuit of De La Cruz advances before Monday’s deadline.