Pete Crow-Armstrong's contract projection just gave Tom Ricketts a nightmare

At the center of the reason why the Chicago Cubs aren't likely to bring Kyle Tucker back this offseason is the fact that Tucker is projected to receive a contract north of $400MM. Considering the Cubs have never shelled out a contract worth over $200MM, with a looming work stoppage, making the leap to a $400MM deal doesn't feel aligned with the messaging the team has had. That said, going over the $200MM mark is something that may have to be done very soon.

One of the biggest takeaways from Jed Hoyer's end-of-season press conference is the fact that the Cubs plan to make extensions a priority this offseason. A large portion of the Cubs' roster is without a contract after 2026, so it would make sense for Hoyer to try and get an extension or two done this offseason.

Nico Hoerner is an obvious extension candidate, and likely the easiest, but the one that needs to be a priority is Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Cubs approached Crow-Armstrong with a team-friendly extension before his breakout campaign, and it was a deal that felt like the start of negotiations.

2025 probably changed that calculus for the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong, with the young outfielder producing at an MVP pace during the first half of the season while also earning his first All-Star selection and being nominated as a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove finalist.

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s projected payday is already rattling the Cubs

No longer will the number start under $100MM, and it seems that if Crow-Armstrong does sign an extension with the Cubs, it will be the largest deal in team history. Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller recently made a guess at the next 10 players to sign a contract worth $250MM or more, and Crow-Armstrong was among the top names listed.

It makes sense given that Crow-Armstrong's fielding and speed probably places the floor of his next contract at the $177MM mark that Dansby Swanson signed. While Crow-Armstrong's power from the first half of the 2025 season may not be repeated, if he remains a threat to hit 20+ home runs in a season, that likely takes him in the range of $250MM.

Compared to what his contract could look like if he hits the open market in 2031, $250MM could be a steal for the Cubs and emphasizes the importance of getting a deal done sooner instead of later.