Chicago Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong Put Contract Talks on Hold

LOS ANGELES – The Chicago Cubs and their center fielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong, have paused contract negotiations after exchanging proposals for an extension without reaching a mutual agreement, according to sources familiar with the situation who spoke to The Athletic.

Currently, Crow-Armstrong is under the Cubs’ control through the 2030 season and has yet to complete 162 games at the major-league level. With this backdrop, neither party felt compelled to rush the talks for an extension.

Even with the recognition that reaching a deal was unlikely, both Chicago’s management and Crow-Armstrong’s representatives found value in discussing contract ideas during spring training. This could possibly set a foundation for future agreements.

On Saturday, MLB.com highlighted these contract discussions on X, though both team and league insiders clarified that reports suggesting a potential deal valued at $75 million were misleading.

The detailed discussions about contract parameters took place around the season’s start, which began early for the Cubs with the Tokyo Series. During this time, Jackson Merrill, a young center fielder, had not yet secured his nine-year, $135 million extension with the San Diego Padres, an agreement quickly perceived as favorable to the team.

Ryan Hamill, Crow-Armstrong’s agent, was present at the Cubs’ Arizona training facility in March. Hamill, part of Creative Artists Agency’s baseball division, had previously negotiated Corbin Carroll’s eight-year, $111 million extension in the 2023 spring training. Carroll was then just 22 and had appeared in only 32 major-league games.

Both Crow-Armstrong and Carroll share a background of being first-round picks from high school, boasting the potential to shine in center field and succeed on the bases. Carroll went on to have an impressive 2023, earning the National League’s Rookie of the Year and a World Series appearance with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In contrast, Crow-Armstrong did not achieve Carroll’s offensive results in his debut. Similarly, Merrill outperformed Crow-Armstrong in his rookie season, although Crow-Armstrong improved his OPS to .670 in the latter part of the season, contributing 2.3 wins above replacement according to Baseball Reference.

Another comparative figure for the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong is the Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II, who secured an eight-year, $72 million extension (plus two club options) during his rookie year in 2022. Additionally, the defense-oriented Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar signed a seven-year, $63.5 million extension (plus a club option) last year.

At 23, Crow-Armstrong is focused on evolving as a well-rounded left-handed hitter. He aims to be recognized for more than just his impressive defensive plays. However, he’s aware that his superior defense and blazing speed, key assets in a crucial field position, offer consistent value, potentially ensuring a long-lasting career.

Simultaneously, the Cubs see Crow-Armstrong as having the potential to become a superstar at Wrigley Field, especially given his vibrant skill set and engaging charisma. This aligns perfectly with his acquisition during the Javier Báez trade. Pausing negotiations doesn’t signify an end to discussions indefinitely.