Chicago Cubs: PCA on extension– “I want to be here for as long as they want me”

The Chicago Cubs got a “real” one when they got Pete Crow-Armstrong. Back in 2021, amid a mass sell-off of the team’s 2016 World Series roster, the Cubs traded away mega-popular shortstop Javier Baez (and pitcher Trevor Williams) for the 19-year-old center fielder.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Surprise dark horse emerging for key roster spot?

It was by no means a universally popular decision by new Cubs president Jed Hoyer.

Crow-Armstrong was an absolute darling of scouts and analysts, but he was so young and he had just come off season-ending shoulder surgery at the time. Plus, Baez was BAEZ, a Wrigley Field favorite and an explosive make-things-happen catalyst on both offense and defense.

But, ultimately, things worked out just fine for the Cubs.

PCA’s up-and-down 2025

More News: Chicago Cubs: Will 2026 be doom or bloom for Daniel Palencia?

Last season, the sophomore “PCA” had an MVP-level first half which led to a starting center fielder slot in his very first All-Star Game. The affable and energetic emerging star handled the spotlight like a pro and his star rose even higher.

Then, everything sort of came crashing down to earth.

While his dazzling defense remained, his bat work fizzled. After coming into the All-Star break with 25 home runs and 71 RBIs, he only mustered 6 home runs and 24 RBIs the rest of the way.

The brutal fall from the pedestal was a source of immense frustration for the young star and it continues to motor his approach to the coming 2026 season, where he hopes to be more consistent in his offensive output.

All in all, though, PCA did hit 31 home runs, post 94 RBIs, and steal 35 bases while playing a Gold Glove center field.

An extension for PCA

That’s why people are talking extension when it comes to the team’s young asset, who is still under contract through the 2030 season. Although he rejected a contract extension offer early in the 2025 season, reportedly in the $70 to $90 million range, he’s been outspoken in his desire to stay in Chicago over the course of his entire career.

In an entertaining and revealing profile piece by Wayne Dreyhs for Chicago Magazine, the soon-to-be 24-year-old, who just moved into a new luxury condo in Chicago, talks about his sincere love for the city and the people of his adopted home town.

“I love Chicago more and more,” Crow-Armstrong says. “It’s just an incredible city. The people are great. They give a shit. They aren’t just baseball fans who go to the game like Dodgers fans to take pictures and whatever. They are paying attention. They care.”

“That’s one thing that is very cool about him that not a lot of younger players get,” Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner told Dreyhs. “He couldn’t have more of an appreciation for the history of the game and playing in Wrigley Field. He’s excited to be a part of the city of Chicago in a way a lot of guys don’t really understand.”

“I want to be here”

PCA claims his legit love of Chicago is happily coloring his willingness to agree on some sort of deal to stay there.

“I’ve made it clear I want to be here for as long as they want me,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I want what’s best for the team. I’m cool with being under team control and being here. League minimum ain’t too f**king bad.

“I play the game because I like beating other people. The money will be life-changing regardless. I would like to get a fair deal so I don’t f**k the market up. I want to look out for the other center fielders who have to go through the same process. Which is why I’m glad [Cubs management] and my agents are figuring out how to do this.”

But what would a PCA-Cubs extension look like? Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks was extended at eight years for $111 million and Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres took a nine-year, $135 million extension. It stands to reason, given his immense popularity as a Chicago sports staple and his marketability across the board, that Crow-Armstrong would get a fatter deal than either. Possibly, at least, in the $17- $18 million AAV range over 8-9 years, which would make the contract worth somewhere in the range of $136-$162 million and keep him in Chicago until he was 31 or 32.

The extension makes all-around good sense. If PCA does every year what he did in 2025, even with the mismatched output of the first and second halves, he’ll still be a steal at $18 million per season.

From the sound of things, the ball is pretty much in the Cubs’ hands when it comes to an extension. PCA seems fully invested in staying a Cub and succeeding as a Cub.

The post Chicago Cubs: PCA on extension– “I want to be here for as long as they want me” appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-crow-armstrong-pca-contract-extension/