After Balking at $400M Kyle Tucker, Cubs Shift to Record-Breaking $250M+ Extension for Pete Crow-Armstrong.vc

Jed Hoyer has made extensions a priority, and PCA’s 2025 breakout (All-Star, Gold Glove finalist) means his price tag will shatter the Cubs’ $200M contract ceiling.

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs’ offseason strategy is coming into sharp focus, defined by one major decision: a reluctance to re-sign Kyle Tucker. The primary reason is the astronomical price tag, with Tucker projected to receive a contract north of $400 million.

Considering the Cubs have never given out a contract worth even $200 million, and with a looming work stoppage, making a $400 million leap feels unaligned with the team’s messaging.

However, that doesn’t mean the Cubs won’t be spending. At his end-of-season press conference, President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer made it clear that contract extensions are a top priority this offseason. With a large portion of the roster’s contracts expiring after 2026, the clock is ticking.

While Nico Hoerner is an obvious extension candidate, the “one that needs to be a priority,” according to insiders, is 23-year-old phenom Pete Crow-Armstrong.

PCA’s 2025 Breakout Changes the “Calculus”

The Cubs’ front office reportedly approached Crow-Armstrong with a team-friendly extension before his breakout 2025 campaign, but that deal is now obsolete.

Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 season fundamentally “changed the calculus” of any negotiation. His performance included:

• An MVP-pace during the first half of the season.
• His first career All-Star selection.
• Nominations as both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove finalist.

Because of this, the “payday is already rattling the Cubs.” No longer will a potential extension start under $100 million. If Crow-Armstrong signs an extension this offseason, it is now expected to be the largest deal in team history, shattering their previous $200 million ceiling.

The New Price: $250 Million… Or More

The projections for PCA’s new contract are staggering. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently listed the “next 10 players to sign a contract worth $250MM or more,” and Crow-Armstrong was among the top names.

This projection makes sense. Crow-Armstrong’s elite, Gold-Glove-caliber fielding and speed likely set his floor at the $177 million mark that Dansby Swanson received.

However, after his 2025 offensive explosion, if he remains a consistent threat to hit 20+ home runs per season, his price tag likely soars into the $250 million range.

For the Cubs, this emphasizes the importance of getting a deal done now. Compared to what Crow-Armstrong’s contract could look like if he hits the open market in 2031, a $250 million deal today could ultimately be considered a “steal.”