For all of the Kyle Tucker contract talk, there is another, emerging outfielder worthy of a big payday from the Chicago Cubs.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakout season has helped catapult the Cubs atop the National League Central and justified their win-now mode mentality. However, Crow-Armstrong, looking like the next big thing in Chicago, comes at an expensive price.
Here is what Patrick Mooney of The Athletic told “Foul Territory” about a Crow-Armstrong extension:
“Clearly, it’s a nine-figure commitment.”
After reportedly refusing a $75 million offer earlier this spring, Crow-Armstrong has propelled himself into previously unforeseen territory. He is under team control until 2030, and the Cubs do not necessarily need to rush into any long-term commitment just yet.
But, should this meteoric trajectory continue, Chicago should do everything in its power to secure Crow-Armstrong before he is too pricey.
The Cubs currently have only two players making more than $20 million annually (Dansby Swanson, $28 million, and Ian Happ, $21 million). Crow-Armstrong is more than worthy of joining that group.
The 23-year-old is batting .275 with a .866 OPS, a 142 OPS+, 15 home runs, and 16 stolen bases on 19 attempts through 56 games. He also leads the National League in WAR (3.0) and has further established himself as a premier defensive center fielder.
Perhaps this is too small a sample size for Chicago’s liking, and it would be wise to see if Crow-Armstrong can maintain this pace over 162 games. But his metrics are impressive, and aside from a poor 9:58 BB:K ratio, there is no reason he can not earn hundreds of millions on his next deal.
Even if the Cubs do not retain Tucker, they have a budding superstar to fall back on.
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