
The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a new contract extension with center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, and we have some numbers on what it is going to look like.
It is the type of deal that could either be a long-term steal for the Cubs or a highly risky move that backfires.
According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday night, the deal is reportedly a six-year, $115M extension that will begin in 2027 and does not include a club option.
It is a move that is really hard to have an immediate read on because there is such a huge unknown in what Crow-Armstrong is as a player and what he can ultimately be.
He is one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball with tremendous athleticism. No matter what else he does, there is always going to be value in that. He is also still only 24 years old and in theory is not even fully into his prime years yet. There is still untapped potential here.
But will he realize it?
If he hits like he did in the first half of the 2025 season, he could be an MVP-level player when you add his defense into the mix.
Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a six-year, $115 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal starts in 2027 and does not include a club option, allowing Crow-Armstrong to hit free agency before his age-31 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 24, 2026
That is also a huge if and where the risk comes in for the Cubs. His production declined rapidly in the second half and leaves some doubt as to what his ability at the plate is.
He needs to find that consistency. If he does not, that is a pricey contract for a glove-first outfielder, no matter how good that glove is.
The Cubs seem happy to gamble on it. If it works, it is a huge win.
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