Pete Crow-Armstrong is on the verge of locking in his future with the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs and their star center fielder were deep into extension talks Monday night and appear to be closing in on a deal, according to sources who spoke with MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand. The terms and length of the contract were not immediately known, but the agreement would keep Crow-Armstrong as a cornerstone of the organization going forward.
The Cubs have not officially confirmed the talks. With Opening Day at Wrigley Field approaching Thursday, an announcement could come during the team’s upcoming home series against the Nationals.
Crow-Armstrong turns 24 on Wednesday and has quickly become the face of the franchise since emerging as one of baseball’s most dynamic young players. He finished last season with 31 home runs, 37 doubles, four triples, 95 RBIs, 35 stolen bases and 91 runs scored, helping the Cubs win 92 games and reach the postseason. He was the fastest player in Cubs history to reach 30 home runs and 30 steals in the same season and the only player in franchise history to add at least 30 doubles to that combination.
His first-half production was historic. He was one of just three players in MLB history to post 25 home runs and 25 steals before the All-Star break, joining Eric Davis in 1987 and Bobby Bonds in 1973. He also made the NL All-Star starting lineup and drew early MVP consideration.
His defense may be even more impressive. Crow-Armstrong set a Statcast era record with 19 five-star catches last season, breaking Billy Hamilton’s previous mark of 12. His 24 Outs Above Average ranked second all-time, behind only Byron Buxton’s 27 in 2017.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the expectations that come with Crow-Armstrong’s talent are simply part of the deal.
“Because of just who Pete is and because of his talents, there’s always going to be very high expectations,” Counsell said. “And I think Pete understands that better than we give him credit for.”
New Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman said Crow-Armstrong’s ceiling is wide open.
“I feel like the sky’s the limit for him,” Bregman said. “The more that he refines his game, he’s just going to continue to get better and better.”
Crow-Armstrong came to the Cubs as part of the 2021 trade deadline deal that sent Javier Baez to the Mets. He has repeatedly spoken about his love for Chicago, its fans and the ballpark, making him the kind of player the organization wants to keep for the long haul.
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