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1 extension the Cubs should make and 1 they should avoid
Looking at the state of the Chicago Cubs roster and determining one extension the team should make, and one they should avoid.
I hope everyone has enjoyed their Holidays! After a few days of quality time with the family, it's time to get back into all things Chicago Cubs-related as the offseason pushes on. Today, I thought it could be fun to discuss two players on the Cubs' 40-man roster, one that should be extended and one the front office should hold off on inking long-term.
The team has many big decisions to make in the coming weeks, and although these players aren't at the front of the conversation at the moment, it's essential to keep their names in mind as we roll into the 2024 season.
1 extension to make - Justin Steele
The ace of the Chicago Cubs pitching staff, Justin Steele, earns the mark of one player who the Cubs need to ensure is around long term. After a breakout season in which he recorded a 0.98 ERA in the second half of 2022, Steele's devastating fastball/slider combo picked up where it left off, as he finished 5th in Cy Young voting this season. According to Fangraphs, he ended the 2023 campaign with a 3.06 ERA (3.02 FIP) and a 4.9 WAR.
Steele's Steamer projects him for 181.0 IP next season and a 3.69 ERA. Personally, I believe he'll pick up where he left off, finishing next season with a mark closer to the low 3.00s as he did this year. Steele has the next three years of arbitration on his contract before hitting free agency in 2028.
The Cubs could wait to see how he continues to excel next year, but the writing appears on the wall here. This is exactly what the Cubs want from their new pitching infrastructure: A home-grown talent that can be around for a long time.
1 extension to avoid - Pete Crow-Armstrong
I'm pumping the break ever so slightly at this juncture on Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Cubs' top prospect has a high ceiling and a high enough floor that his Gold Glove-caliber defense makes him valuable to any team. After Jackson Chourio signed a massive extension with the Milwaukee Brewers, I saw mentions from people that they wanted the same from Crow-Armstrong, but the reality is that he still has a lot to prove.
Fourteen hitless at-bats in 2023 mean nothing on both sides of the coin. There needs to be more data at the major league level to lean one way or another regarding what Crow-Armstrong will bring to the plate offensively before you can have any confidence. He should adjust to the majors like he has to every level upon getting promoted. I want him to pass the eye test first.
The way we know Crow-Armstrong is a lock to be an elite center fielder is the same feeling we need to have when watching him at the plate in 2024. Giving him at-bats in 2024 will be critical to his development. Spring Training will be crucial to display what he can do with the bat. Nevertheless, he is still a prospect with his entire contract intact. The Cubs don't have to rush here.
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