Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong are finalizing a contract extension for the All-Star center fielder

Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune on Mar 24, 2026

Published in Baseball

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CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are locking in the new face of their franchise.

The Cubs and All-Star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are finalizing an agreement on a contract extension, pending medical exams, a source confirmed to the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday.

Crow-Armstrong, who turns 24 on Wednesday, last year became just the second player in Cubs history to record a 30-homer, 30-steal season, a feat previously accomplished only by Sammy Sosa twice.

Despite a second-half slump, Crow-Armstrong produced a career year in his second full season in the majors. In addition to his 31 home runs, 37 doubles, 35 stolen bases, 95 RBIs and a 118 OPS+, Crow-Armstrong provided elite defense in center field, winning his first Gold Glove Award.

“There is no consistency there really,” Crow-Armstrong said at the beginning of spring training. “It’s very sporadic, and I think we’ve kind of ironed that out. Like, it’s not the most perfect thing in the world, but the steps we’ve taken with the swing over the last three-plus years has been incredible and I’m very proud of that.

“I had a lot more fun when I was playing well. And when I was playing well, I was keeping the ball in the middle of the plate and I was able to do damage there. So there’s a bunch of things I need to do to make myself a more well-rounded offensive asset.

“It’s fun figuring out how I’m going to put together a more full body of work this year.”

The Cubs and Crow-Armstrong initially had discussions early last season but couldn’t find common ground on a deal. He was scheduled to reach his first year of arbitration before the 2027 season and would have been a free agent after 2030. He previously expressed a love of Chicago and a desire to be a longtime Cub.

Crow-Armstrong’s decision to bet on himself last year paid off.

“As a player, I have a lot of belief in myself, and I don’t think that’d change no matter the amount of money that I was offered,” Crow-Armstrong said in April 2024 after extension talks with the Cubs didn’t pan out. “Or if I don’t ever get offered again, I don’t think that’ll ever change.

“It’s a great compliment and it’s definitely a testament to the work I’m putting in, but I think it’s clear that I want to win baseball games here specifically. So I’m glad that they see that and see that in me. It means a lot.”

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