Cubs Open to Pete Crow-Armstrong Extension Talks Amid Strong Season

The Chicago Cubs are keen on negotiating a long-term contract extension with their breakout star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong amid his impressive 2025 season, where he is emerging as a National League MVP candidate. Crow-Armstrong, who is hitting around .274-.290 with 14 home runs and demonstrating strong defensive skills and base-running speed, remains focused on playing this season without distractions from contract talks, a sentiment supported by Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. Despite initial discussions and reports of a $75 million offer, Hoyer clarified that such figures were inaccurate and emphasized the benefit of keeping negotiations private to avoid media speculation. While Crow-Armstrong is under team control through 2030, the Cubs face pressure to secure a deal before his value escalates further, especially as fellow outfielder Kyle Tucker approaches free agency and commands a much higher salary. The Cubs also plan to bolster their pitching staff at the trade deadline due to injuries, aiming to complement their potent offense led by Crow-Armstrong and Tucker. Hoyer acknowledged the challenge in acquiring top-tier pitchers in a competitive market with many teams contending for playoff spots.