Cubs Finalize Long-Term Extension with Star Center Fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong

The Chicago Cubs and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are finalizing a long-term contract extension, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday, securing a key piece of their future and rewarding the young star’s rapid ascent.

Crow-Armstrong, who will turn 24 on Wednesday, quickly established himself as one of baseball’s premier defensive center fielders in 2025, winning a Gold Glove and becoming the first Cub to achieve a 30-30 season – 31 home runs and 35 stolen bases – since Sammy Sosa in 1995. His performance prompted the Cubs to begin extension talks this past winter.

The extension comes after a remarkable trajectory for Crow-Armstrong, who was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2020 draft. Just over a year later, he was traded to the Cubs in a deal that sent Javier Baez and Trevor Williams to New York. The trade has been viewed as a significant win for Chicago, as Crow-Armstrong has developed into a cornerstone player.

Although his offensive numbers dipped slightly in the second half of the 2025 season – hitting .216 with six home runs and eight stolen bases after a strong first half where he slashed .265/.302/.544 with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases – the Cubs remained convinced of his potential. His overall impact was reflected in a 6.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Baseball-Reference.

One area of focus for Crow-Armstrong remains his plate discipline. Despite his power and speed, he posted a .287 on-base percentage last season, striking out 155 times with only 29 walks. He has publicly stated that improving his approach at the plate has been a primary focus during spring training.

The Cubs, who went 92-70 last season, defeating San Diego in the Wild Card Series before falling to Milwaukee in the National League Division Series, have been aggressive this offseason, adding players like Jose Abreu and acquiring right-hander Edward Cabrera to bolster their roster. They are widely considered the favorites to win the National League Central division.