Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs fail to agree on $75 million contract extension..
Cubs try to secure a long-term commitment from their young center fielder..
Kyle Tucker’s contract status looms large, as the Chicago Cubs contemplate reaching a new deal with their prized offseason acquisition before he hits free agency after the 2025 MLB campaign. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has other matters on his agenda, though. Adhering to the modern practice of locking up promising players early in their MLB career, the organization has attempted to sign Pete Crow-Armstrong to an extension. He is keeping his options open for now, however.
The Cubs offered the 23-year-old center fielder a new contract that could have paid him $75 million– assuming all option years would have been exercised– but the two parties could not come to an agreement, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Crow-Armstrong is rolling the dice that he can secure a better offer down the road.
Pete Crow-Armstrong could be a key part of a Cubs resurgence..
The No. 19 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft displays top-notch defense and exceptional speed, but he has struggled to consistently generate offensive production. Crow-Armstrong has just a .224 batting average, .280 on-base percentage and .635 OPS through his first 152 games with the Cubbies. It is understandable why he would hesitate to put pen to paper, considering how much his value would increase if he just exhibited competent abilities at the plate.
Crow-Armstrong put together a terrific August in his rookie 2024 season, batting .314 with four home runs, so he at least has a small sample size of offensive brilliance to draw from as he continues his development. The Los Angeles, California native will receive the necessary amount of opportunities to figure things out at the plate, and if he does, Chicago will fork over more than $75 million.
Regardless of if and when a contract extension is inked this year, management clearly views Pete Crow-Armstrong as a key piece of their future. He seeks an upturn in his hometown, as the Cubs (9-7) battle the LA Dodgers (11-4) on Saturday night, starting at 9:10 p.m. ET.
Why Cubs must sign Kyle Tucker to contract extension..
If the Cubs were smart they would secure the talents of a potential franchise player..
There is something to say about being at the right place at the right time. Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker has arrived at the right place following the announcement of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Cubs acquired Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros this past winter. He is under a one-season contract with the Cubs and will become a free agent in the winter.
Guerrero’s security with Toronto means that Tucker will have greater leverage to demand more money.
That is, if the Cubs were to follow suit and extend his contract to ensure he is around for the long haul. Cubs management is “already discussing” a potentially major deal with Tucker per Aaliyan Mohammed of The Sporting News.
In truth, it would be in the Cubs’ best interest to extend Tucker’s contract.
So far, Tucker is leading the National League in certain offensive categories, including hits, runs, RBIs, total bases, and OPS. This week, Tucker was named the NL player of the Week alongside his former Astros teammate, Alex Bregman of the Boston Red Sox.
There is no question he is off to an incredible start.
He also brings plenty of hardware. He is a 3-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger winner, and a Gold Glove winner. A player who can hit for average and power and is a defensive asset.
Tucker is also a proven winner. In 2022, he was integral to the Astros winning the World Series. Tucker hit two home runs in the first game and made the final out to win the series.