Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is currently in his third MLB season and showing no signs of slowing down.
The 23-year-old is a front-runner in the National League MVP race alongside teammate Kyle Tucker and ranks among the league’s top ten in home runs and RBIs as of May 27. His standout performance this season has many anticipating a massive contract for him this upcoming offseason.
Crow-Armstrong is playing under a one-year deal worth $771,000 for the 2025 season—a figure that doesn’t come close to reflecting his value.
He’s become a cornerstone of Craig Counsell’s lineup and one of the most impactful players on the team.
However, despite his importance, the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong have yet to agree on a long-term extension.
General Manager Carter Hawkins is under mounting pressure to get a deal done before the outfielder hits free agency and other teams enter the mix.
MLB insider Jon Heyman shared his take, suggesting the Cubs should look to secure at least one or two years of Crow-Armstrong’s free agency in any extension. “He might not commit deep into free agency, but you’ve got to try to get at least one, ideally two years,” Heyman advised.
Reports suggest that the price to keep Crow-Armstrong is rising quickly. While a deal in the $90 million range might’ve been enough earlier, he may now command upwards of $140 million, according to Heyman.
Failing to lock him in would be a major setback for the Cubs—especially if they were to lose both Crow-Armstrong and Tucker.
Chicago is poised to compete for the NL title in 2025, but retaining their young star could be the key to sustained success.
It’s now up to Hawkins and Counsell to convince him that his long-term future should remain at Wrigley Field.