Crow-Armstrong agrees to a $115 million, 6-year deal with Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong has agreed to a $115 million, six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to a person familiar with the deal, establishing the All-Star center fielder as one of the franchise's core players. The person spoke to the AP on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. The contract starts in 2027. There are escalators that could increase the value to as much as $133 million, and it also includes an assignment bonus if Crow-Armstrong is traded. It's the biggest contract ever with no club options for a player with five years of financial control left at the time of signing. Crow-Armstrong, who turns 24 on Wednesday, is coming off a breakout performance. He hit .247 with 31 homers, 95 RBIs and 35 steals last season, helping the Cubs earn an NL wild card for the team's first playoff appearance since 2020. Crow-Armstrong also covers a ton of ground in the outfield for one of baseball's best defensive teams. The Southern California native won his first Gold Glove last year. Crow-Armstrong was selected by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2020 amateur draft. He was traded to the Cubs in the Javier Báez deal in July 2021. He made his major league debut in 2023, going 0 for 14 in 13 games. He had a rough June in his second season before finding his form. He batted .289 with seven homers and 30 RBIs in his last 57 games in 2024. Crow-Armstrong put together a fast start last year, hearing chants of "M-V-P!" at Wrigley Field while hitting .272 with 21 homers and 61 RBIs in his first 80 games. But he faded down the stretch, batting just .192 and striking out 33 times in his last 35 games in the regular season. Making his first appearance in the playoffs, he hit .185 (5 for 27) in eight games as the Cubs advanced to the second round before they were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in an NL Division Series. "I think it's a season that you would kind of expect from Pete. That's Pete," manager Craig Counsell said during the winter meetings in December. "It's like we saw some incredible things. We saw some stretches where he was an out at the plate. I think his defense was incredibly consistent and brilliant throughout the season. "And I think really the goal is to just -- it's just to keep improving. ... That's what I'd want from Pete. And as long as that quest never burns out and you keep that alive, he's going to get to better places and great places." Crow-Armstrong's preparation for this season including playing for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic. He is hitting .100 (2 for 20) in eight spring training games with the Cubs. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb