Where the Cubs Stand on a Pete Crow-Armstrong Extension

The Chicago Cubs are currently at a pivotal crossroads when it comes to the future of Pete Crow-Armstrong, the 23-year-old outfielder who’s quickly emerged as one of the brightest stars in Major League Baseball. His performance during the 2025 season has not only solidified his place as a key player for the Cubs but has also made him a household name across the city of Chicago. As the Cubs look to secure a cornerstone player for the foreseeable future, the question on many minds is: will they be able to lock Crow-Armstrong down with a long-term contract extension?

A Star Is Born: Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 Campaign

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakout 2025 season caught the attention of Cubs fans and the league alike. His numbers from the year reflect an incredible leap in both offensive and defensive capabilities. Across 157 games, he posted a .247 batting average, with 31 home runs, 35 doubles, 95 RBIs, and an impressive 35 stolen bases. His 30-30 season made him just the second player in Cubs’ history to achieve this rare feat, a milestone that speaks volumes about his growing impact on the game.

Beyond his offensive contributions, Crow-Armstrong has quickly made a name for himself as one of the premier defenders in baseball. The center fielder earned his first Gold Glove award in 2025, a recognition of his superior defensive skills in the outfield. He led all position players in both Runs Prevented and 5-star catches, cementing his status as a true two-way player.

Despite some struggles during the second half of the season, Crow-Armstrong’s overall performance made him a top 50 player in the MLB, with MLB Network ranking him No. 40 entering the 2026 season. His rapid development, particularly at such a young age, has made him one of the most exciting players in the league, and his future seems incredibly bright.

Embracing the Chicago Sports Scene

Off the field, Crow-Armstrong has fully embraced the love and adoration that Cubs fans have shown him. In a city where sports reign supreme, he’s become a beloved figure, making appearances across multiple sports events in the Chicagoland area. From attending Bears games to making appearances at Blackhawks and Bulls games, Crow-Armstrong has taken full advantage of his newfound fame. He even visited the Northwestern baseball team, further solidifying his status as a major figure in the city’s sports culture.

This connection with the fans has only strengthened the bond between Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs organization. Chicago, after all, is a city that prides itself on its deep love for its sports teams, and Crow-Armstrong’s ability to connect with that fanbase has made him even more of an iconic figure in the city.

Cubs’ Potential Extension Plans

With Crow-Armstrong’s value skyrocketing, the Cubs are facing a crucial decision in terms of his future with the organization. The Cubs front office is aware of the value that Crow-Armstrong brings to the team, both in terms of his on-field performance and his marketability as a star player in Chicago. According to reports, the Cubs tried to extend Crow-Armstrong’s contract before the 2025 season, but negotiations didn’t result in a deal.

Bruce Levine, a reliable insider for the Cubs, reported that the Cubs’ front office made an initial offer worth around $90 million. However, both sides couldn’t come to an agreement at that time. Now, with Crow-Armstrong’s stock even higher following his stellar season, the Cubs may revisit talks to secure him for the long term.

The good news for Cubs fans is that it appears the team plans to approach Crow-Armstrong once again this spring to continue negotiations. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers confirmed this on a recent appearance on Waddle and Silvy, where he noted that the Cubs intend to sit down with Crow-Armstrong and his camp to discuss an extension.

Challenges in Negotiations

However, the extension talks might not be as straightforward as Cubs fans hope. According to Rogers, while the Cubs will approach Crow-Armstrong in the spring, negotiating a deal could be tricky due to the nature of his performance in 2025. While he posted an MVP-caliber first half of the season, Crow-Armstrong struggled in the second half, which could make it difficult for both sides to agree on a contract that reflects his true value.

Rogers emphasized that had the Cubs started negotiations last July, the price tag would have been much higher given Crow-Armstrong’s strong early-season performance. The uncertainty surrounding his second-half struggles adds an element of unpredictability to the negotiations. As Rogers put it, “We don’t exactly know what he’s going to be.”

Long-Term Control and the Timing of an Extension

Despite the ups and downs of Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 season, there’s no immediate rush for either side to reach a long-term agreement. Crow-Armstrong still has five more seasons of team control before he becomes a free agent in 2030. This gives both the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong some breathing room in terms of negotiating a deal that makes sense for both sides.

It’s also possible that Crow-Armstrong might want to wait until he has another strong, consistent season under his belt before committing to a long-term deal. After all, a player of his caliber is in a position to maximize his value on the open market, and he may feel that one more strong season could further boost his worth.

With that in mind, the Cubs will need to find the right balance in their approach. They’re likely to test the waters this spring to see if an extension is feasible, but there’s no guarantee that both sides will come to an agreement.

What’s Next for Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs?

As the 2026 season looms, all eyes will be on Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs’ front office. With his star power and the potential to become one of the league’s top players, the Cubs will likely want to lock him up long-term to avoid the risk of losing him when he eventually reaches free agency. However, given the uncertainty around his second-half struggles in 2025, the front office will need to tread carefully in negotiations.

It remains to be seen whether the Cubs can secure a long-term deal with Crow-Armstrong, but it’s clear that they view him as a central piece of their future. The 23-year-old outfielder is already one of the most exciting players in baseball, and if the Cubs can lock him down, they could have a future superstar on their hands for years to come.

For now, Cubs fans will continue to watch with bated breath as the spring negotiation talks approach. Will Crow-Armstrong stay in Chicago for the long haul, or will the Cubs have to wait a little longer before locking him down? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Cubs’ future is looking bright with Pete Crow-Armstrong at the center of it all.