Cubs are open to negotiating extension for Pete Crow-Armstrong even in-season

New York Times

28-05-2025

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs haven't closed the door on a long-term contract extension for Pete Crow-Armstrong, the dynamic center fielder whose breakout performance is already putting his name in the National League MVP conversation.
After exchanging proposals around the season-opening Tokyo Series, the two sides agreed to table those discussions. When reports on the extension talks surfaced last month, Crow-Armstrong declared: 'I'm here to play baseball.'
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Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer later echoed that talking point, saying the club would let Crow-Armstrong focus on the season, which is now turning into a long 'PCA' highlight reel. While Hoyer will defer to Crow-Armstrong's preferences, the Cubs do not have a strict organizational policy against in-season negotiations.
'Not talking during the season, to me, that's a player-focused thing,' Hoyer said Tuesday at Wrigley Field. 'I'm not playing. I've got time to negotiate if they want.'
Crow-Armstrong is represented by Creative Artists Agency, which worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks to finalize Corbin Carroll's eight-year, $111 million contract extension during spring training in 2023.
Another reference point arrived shortly after this season's Opening Day, when the San Diego Padres announced a nine-year, $135 million contract extension for Jackson Merrill, a young center fielder who signed what was generally viewed as a team-friendly deal, which includes a club option for 2035.
Crow-Armstrong, 23, is currently under club control through the 2030 season, meaning there isn't an overwhelming sense of urgency.
'There's been a general understanding that we're not going to let it be a distraction throughout this year,' Crow-Armstrong said last month.
Since those comments, Crow-Armstrong has hit 14 home runs while continuing to play Gold Glove-caliber defense and cause havoc on the bases, showing his full potential as one of the sport's most exciting talents. Crow-Armstrong is doing all this for a first-place team, in a city that holds a deep connection for his family.
The outline of the initial report — a contract extension for Crow-Armstrong potentially worth around $75 million — has been characterized as inaccurate. Both sides also described the discussions as amicable.
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'We hadn't talked in a couple weeks when it leaked out,' Hoyer said. 'In general, it's just easier to negotiate if it's not out in the media. People aren't speculating on numbers and things like that. Even the number that came out about that wasn't right. The more we can keep things under wraps, the better.
'For a player, if it's going to mess with their head, if it's going to distract them or make them feel different, then you shouldn't do it. To me, not negotiating in-season, that's a player thing. Not specifically a team thing. But I totally respect guys who feel like they don't want to deal with it in-season, because they feel like it messes with their performance. I get that.'