When it comes to jaw-dropping contracts in MLB, Juan Soto‘s $765 million deal with the Mets set the bar sky-high. The baseball world was stunned, wondering if any player could ever top that astronomical figure. Well, hold on to your caps, because according to former star Carlos Baerga, that record might not last as long as we think! And the player he believes could shatter it? None other than the Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

The 23-year-old Dominican star joined forces with the Reds in 2018 as an international free agent before finally making a debut in 2023. He soon started proving his mettle and has become an important addition to the team. Now, Baerga, who once represented the Mets and the Red Sox has made some serious predictions about his future in the sport.

The MLB veteran engaged in an interaction with the La UCA Deportes and talked about a wide range of factors revolving around the sport. He also opened up on his thoughts about Cruz and predicted that he has the potential to become the first billion-dollar contract in the history of MLB. While this may sound quite surprising, the two $700+ Million Deals that have been signed already for Soto and Shohei Ohtani speak a lot about that possibility in the sports. 

Remember, the Reds Star can enter the unrestricted free agency after the 2029 season. And while there is a lot of scope for him to improve, Baerga’s remarks will definitely boost his confidence.

Point to note, Cruz finished at the eighth spot last year in the National League MVP Voting, which further proves his rising stardom. And yes, it can break Juan Soto’s seemingly unmatchable record. But it is not just Baerga who sings praises for the youngster. Several other icons of the sport have lauded his skills. One of them is his teammate Nick Martinez.

“Runs like a deer” – When Elly De La Cruz’s impeccable skills caught teammate’s attention

Elly De La Cruz is known for amalgamating speed, power, and arm strength. With close to 40 Home Runs under his name, the 23-year-old has proved himself and has created a place for himself in the team. Interestingly, he fired a monster hit of more than 430 feet, just because of a dare by teammate Jonathan India last year and caught numerous headlines. And while many of his teammates have described his power in various ways, one interesting evaluation has come from none other than Martinez.

“The guy is a freak of nature. You watch him play, and you forget he’s just 22 years old. You watch him, and almost every day he’s making some insane catches, he runs like a deer, and then you see the pop in his bat, and you say, ‘Holy c**p!'”

A similar reaction came from Emilio Pagan too: “He’s just so creative. I played with Tatis. There’s definitely a lot of similarities.”

Now, as Cruz continues to hone his skills, it will be interesting to see if he manages to stand by Carlos Baerga’s expectations and break Juan Soto’s impressive record in the long run. Think there’s a chance?