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MLB Insider Forecasts Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Extension Timeline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated May 29, 2025 12:10 PM ET

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakout season is everything (and more) that the Chicago Cubs could have hoped for from their 23-year-old outfielder.

Crow-Armstrong is batting .275 with a .866 OPS, a 142 OPS+, 15 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases on 19 attempts over 56 games. He has coupled this plate production with extraordinary defense in center field and is a blaze on the base path.

But, as is often the case with young, blossoming players, it comes with a downside for the Cubs: they have to pay him a boatload of money.

After reportedly refusing a $75 million offer earlier this spring, Crow-Armstrong is banking on himself and will soon cash in on that bet.

Here is what MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal had to say on a Crow-Armstrong extension, via “Foul Territory:”

"If I'm PCA, I'm not signing anything right now."@Ken_Rosenthal can't imagine the Cubs putting forth an offer worthy of Pete Crow-Armstrong sacrificing a few years of free agency. pic.twitter.com/d7MDNQtMUz
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) May 28, 2025

“PCA is on the upswing, and if you’re PCA, I am quite sure you believe in yourself and you don’t believe this is a fluke and you believe that your price will only increase over time,” Rosenthal said.

Crow-Armstrong was selected in the first round of the 2020 Draft by the New York Mets before getting dealt to Chicago for Javier Báez. He was always regarded as a phenomenal athlete and defender, but this surge at the plate has skyrocketed his market value.

Even with Kyle Tucker having another All-Star-caliber campaign, it is Crow-Armstrong who leads not only the Cubs but the entire National League in WAR (3.2) and trails only the historic Aaron Judge (4.2) in that category.

It is still early, and Crow-Armstrong’s success will not necessarily translate over a 162-game season or even for years to come. But, aside from high chase and whiff rates and a low walk percentage (3.8), this does not feel like a blimp on the radar.

Regardless of what Crow-Armstrong commands, Chicago should devote whatever financial commitment is necessary to their budding superstar. Tucker’s status beyond this summer is unknown, and losing another potentially elite outfielder would set the franchise back for years.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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