Mar 26, 2026
3 min read
MESA, Ariz. - Walking home from the Cubs' battered home base in Arizona this morning, Pete Crowe-Armstrong was met by a group of six kids in the back yard of the building.He was beaten and lined up - a couple wearing his shirt.
MESA, ARIZONA - Driving to the team's clubhouse from a Cubs hitter on a recent morning in Arizona, Pete Crowe-Armstrong encountered a group of six kids in the complex's back yard.They huddled together and lined up — couples wore their jerseys — and the star center fielder stopped to sign autographs for each.
Crowe-Armstrong quickly established himself as the face of the franchise, becoming a favorite among Cubs fans young and old thanks to his energetic play, headline-grabbing quotes and desire to help the North Siders regain World Series glory.These are the players organizations want to keep around for the long haul, and the Cubs are doing just that with their rookie superstar.
On Tuesday night, a source told Mark Feinsund that the Cubs and Crowe-Armstrong agreed to a six-year, $115 million extension, with the center fielder part of the team's core through the 2032 season.
The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus, with the deal paying Crowe-Amstrong $10 million from 2027-29, $20 million in year 30 and $30 million from 2031-32.His 2031 salary will increase by $2M for each MVP in 2027-2030 ($1M if 2nd/3rd; $750K if 4th/5th; $500K if 6th-10th), and his 2032 salary will increase by $2M for each MVP in 2027($3,000 if 30th-31st $6-10th), a source told Feinsand.
The club are yet to confirm the contract pending a fitness review.There is no option for an extension. It buys out his first two years of free agent rights. And it's the largest contract without a club option for a player responsible for five years.
"Look, young, very talented player, you want to be in your franchise for a long time," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday morning without specifically discussing the extension with Crow-Armstrong."I think that's the goal of every franchise."
As the start of the season approaches, the team could make a formal announcement about such a deal during the upcoming series against the Nationals in Chicago. Crowe-Armstrong was not available for comment on Tuesday as the Cubs prepared to leave camp and go home.
With Crew Armstrong's 24th birthday approaching on Wednesday - just before the opening day at Wrigley Field - it is a natural time for both parties to push towards a deal across the finish line.The Cubs included him in contract talks last spring, but discussions have been put aside to focus on the season without interruption.
Coming off a season full of historic notes, Crowe-Armstrong serves as a linchpin for Chicago's stout defense and a spark plug for the lineup.He played at an MVP level for most of last season, which ended with the Cubs punching their ticket to the playoffs in a 92-win campaign and within one win of the National League division.
Expectations are high for both Crowe-Armstrong and the Cubs in 2026.
"He's an electric player," Cubs veteran Ian Happ said Tuesday."He plays with an intensity that the fans really appreciate.Major League Baseball is like, “What do the fans want?They want more stolen bases.More threes.Cover the games." He's everything fans want and fans enjoy watching.
"And he fuels that with the energy he plays on the court. It's easy for him for the fans to fall in love with him. And obviously he loves Chicago and he's really embraced that part."
Crow-Armstrong had 31 homers, 37 doubles, four triples, 95 RBIs, 35 stolen bases and 91 runs scored last season.He was the fastest player in Cubs history to hit 30 home runs and 30 steals in a season, and the only player in Cubs history to add at least two doubles to the equation.
Frighteningly, it was a tale of two halves for Crowe-Armstrong.He joined Eric Davis (1987) and Bobby Bonds (1973) as one of three players in history to hit 25 homers and 25 steals in the first inning.The Cubs center fielder was the only player of that trio with at least 70 RBI.
Crowe-Armstrong posted an .846 OPS in the first half, earned a spot in the NL's starting lineup for the All-Star Game, and put his name in the early discussion about MVP contenders.However, after the break, he dropped to a .634 OPS while fielding elite-level defense.
In fact, Crow-Armstrong's five-star catch (0-25% probability) has set a single-season record since Statcast began tracking these games last year. Billy Hamilton set the mark with a five-star catch in 2016.Crow-Armstrong's 24 games above average are second most on record, trailing only Twins center fielder Byron Buxton's 27 OAA in '17.
Crow-Armstrong came into camp this spring with the goal of being more consistent at the plate this season, and he expressed excitement over having star third baseman Alex Bregman now aboard to help with that part of his development.
"I think it's just scratching the surface," Bregman said Tuesday morning."It can change a game in so many different ways. It can help you win a baseball game defensively. It can help you win a baseball game on the bases. It can help you win a baseball game on pitches. It really can change a game.
"So to have a guy like that who can really go out and put the team on his shoulders is a special day. And to be honest, just the excitement he plays with the whole team."
The Cubs acquired Crow-Armstrong at the 2021 trade deadline, eliminating the former starting lineup that helped Chicago win the '16 World Series.The North Siders acquired the center fielder from the Mets in the signing of Javier Báez, who was one of Crow-Armstrong's childhood favorites.
Cubs fans loved watching "El Mago" during his days on the North Side because of his defensive wizardry and dynamic offense.The fan base now has an equally electrifying player in return for Crowe-Armstrong, who chants "P-C-A!"The slogan is fascinating.at Wrigley Field and stadiums surrounding the game.
Crowe-Armstrong has repeatedly expressed his love for Chicago, the fans and the Cubs, so this extension is a no-brainer for all parties involved.Perhaps no moment captured him more than when Crowe-Armstrong caught the final out of the NL Wild Card win over the Padres and turned to celebrate with the fans in the stands.
"To be able to go around every day for 81 games," Crowe-Armstrong said that night, "and actually see people's faces and see what they're thinking and hear what they're saying, I truly believe I have a relationship with each one of them.
