Even though the Cubs fell short of making the postseason, there were still plenty of bright spots to take into next year. Pete Crow-Armstrong has clearly been one. Notably, PCA’s hot start earned him a spot as an All-Star starter, and a 40-40 season was around the corner.

Although he didn’t quite hit that mark, his numbers were still outstanding. A 30-30 season with 37 doubles, making him the first Cub ever to notch at least 30 doubles, home runs, and steals in the same year. Add in his elite defense, and he finished with a 6.0 bWAR, sixth-best in the NL. Given these stats at just 23 years old, many expected the Cubs to move quickly on a contract extension.

That hasn’t happened yet, but on the eve of the offseason, team president Jed Hoyer offered some insight into how the organization is approaching its young star’s future. “In totality, he had a great year,” Hoyer said about Armstrong after the Cubs crashed out of the NLDS. He further termed Armstrong as “the best defensive player in baseball,” while mentioning that “when he’s hitting, he’s a superstar.”

While Hoyer has acknowledged having extension conversations with several players on the team, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic emphasizes that locking up PCA “figures to be the top priority.”

While Pete Crow-Armstrong cooled off a bit after July, hitting just 10 home runs and posting a more modest slash line compared to his impressive .263/.299/.537 with 21 homers before the break, his first All-Star season was still elite by any measure.

At just 23, not many players can put up a .247/.287/.481 line while leading all of MLB with +24 OAA!

The Cubs actually tried to lock up PCA before the 2025 season started. Reportedly, the team offered him a deal that could’ve reached around $75 million if all the options kicked in. But Armstrong turned it down, understandably betting on himself for a bigger payday, something closer to the $130 million deal the Padres gave Jackson Merrill.

For reference, Merrill’s 130 wRC+ was a bit stronger offensively. But PCA’s superior defense and baserunning make their overall value pretty similar.

Merrill finished with a 5.3 fWAR to Armstrong’s 6.0. Moreover, since both play the same position, Merrill’s contract sets a natural benchmark for what PCA could command down the line.

Now, it’ll be interesting to see how the Cubs handle it, especially since Armstrong is still under team control for five more seasons. But either way, they surely won’t want to risk losing one of the most exciting young stars in the game. Considering how Hoyer praised Armstrong, his future with the Cubs is more or less sealed!

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s newest recognition could alter the Cubs’ offseason plan

“He’s still 23 years old, he’s still learning. So I expect him to keep getting better and better… I have no question that he’ll continue to get better.” Hoyer further talked about Armstrong. However, there’s another reason behind putting such confidence in the young slugger.

His latest Silver Slugger nomination.

Armstrong was recently named an NL Silver Slugger finalist, a reminder of just how high his ceiling is, even if his bat cooled a bit during the Cubs’ playoff push. And this recognition alone should push the Cubs front office to make an extension a top priority this offseason.

Given that Pete Crow-Armstrong won’t even reach arbitration until after next season, it’s understandable if the Cubs decide to hold off and see another year before committing to a big long-term deal. Still, waiting too long could be a gamble.

If PCA bounces back at the plate the way many expect, his value will only climb with time. And with the uncertainty surrounding payroll rules after the 2026 season and the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, locking him in early could actually work in the Cubs’ favor.

All signs now point to this winter being the ideal time for Chicago to get something done with their young star.