The Chicago Cubs have emerged as one of the top teams in baseball this season. Powered by a high-performing offense, they’ve jumped out to a strong 22-14 start and currently hold a four-game lead atop the National League Central.
An offensive outburst led by the outfield
A major factor in the Cubs’ early-season success has been the production from their outfield. The offseason acquisition of superstar Kyle Tucker has elevated the offense to another level, while rising talent Pete Crow-Armstrong has begun to flourish at the plate alongside him.
However, the Cubs could soon face a tough financial crossroads. Tucker is set to hit free agency after the season and will command a hefty contract. Meanwhile, Crow-Armstrong is years away from free agency, but the Cubs may want to extend him early to secure a long-term deal at a potential discount.
Speaking on 670 The Score, New York Post insider Jon Heyman weighed in on Chicago’s looming contract decisions.
“They should be able to afford both guys,” Heyman said. “Their revenues are very high. This is a very successful franchise; they’ve done great from a business standpoint… They’ve got to sign PCA—you can still get a good deal on him now, maybe under $100 million, which is nothing these days.
Tucker seems open to talking during the season, which is promising. One rival exec told me they’d need to put $500 million in front of him—that’s not the Cubs’ style, but they do need to make a strong offer.”
Heyman basically confirmed what every Cubs fan already knew: there’s no excuse for the team not to keep this core together. With strong revenues and a thriving franchise, the front office has the financial muscle to extend both Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong—and now is the time to act.
Cubs have been risk-averse
Despite being one of baseball’s most iconic franchises, the Chicago Cubs have historically been hesitant to spend like the game’s financial heavyweights. In an era where 16 MLB players have inked deals north of $300 million, the Cubs have yet to even break the $200 million threshold.
Their biggest contract to date remains the eight-year, $184 million deal given to Jason Heyward ahead of the 2016 season—a deal that didn’t live up to expectations on the field but was instrumental in bringing the franchise its long-awaited World Series title.
Now, with star outfielder Kyle Tucker set to hit free agency, the Cubs will need to shatter that previous spending record to keep him in Chicago. While exact figures vary, reports suggest Tucker will command a massive deal—possibly well beyond anything the Cubs have done before.
As Jon Heyman recently pointed out, the Cubs have the revenue to make it happen. Ranking fifth in MLB in average attendance (33,972 per game, per ESPN), the team enjoys robust financial support and shouldn’t be operating with a small-market mindset.
Meanwhile, emerging star Pete Crow-Armstrong reportedly turned down a six-year, $75 million extension earlier this season. Though he may be more affordable than Tucker in the short term, his rising profile will only drive up his value over time.
Chicago now faces a high-quality dilemma: two elite outfielders who could define the next generation of Cubs baseball. How the Ricketts family handles this situation—whether they finally spend like a premier franchise or remain cautious—could shape both the team’s future and their standing with a loyal fanbase.