The Cubs officially announced the long-term signing of Pete Crow-Armstrong by press release late Thursday. As is the team’s custom, they did not announce the terms, though it has been reported as a six-year, $115 million deal with no opt-outs that will begin next year.
That binds PCA to the Cubs through 2032. Late Thursday, news broke of the extension of Nico Hoerner on a similar six-year deal, though we do not know the terms yet. Presuming Nico’s deal also begins in 2027, both these players will be with the team through 2032.
Advertisement
Given that and the long-term deals for Dansby Swanson (through 2029), Alex Bregman (through 2030) and Michael Busch not being eligible for free agency until after 2029, that makes a five-player core for this team for at least four more seasons (including 2026).
That’s a pretty good core that Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has built, I’d think.
PCA met the media Friday afternoon for the first time since the signing was announced. Before I tell you about that, though, I would commend you to read three articles:
In the Players Tribune article in particular, you can see how PCA is just really an overgrown big kid, having fun playing baseball. I love that attitude and it’s one of the biggest reasons PCA is so popular among Cubs fans. That is certainly one of the reasons the team wanted him locked up long-term, as it’s always good for a contending team to have a “face of the franchise.” For the World Series era Cubs, it was Anthony Rizzo — you could see that in the reaction he received when he threw out a ceremonial pitch on Opening Day. PCA’s the same kind of charismatic individual who will be great in that role.
Advertisement
Now, here are a few highlights of PCA’s presser Friday afternoon.
First, PCA being PCA — wearing a fancy tuxedo-style jacket. I would have expected nothing less. The presser began with Hoyer noting how great PCA is with kids, thanked his parents and assistant general manager Jared Banner, who was with the Mets when they drafted PCA. Hoyer said Banner pushed hard at the 2021 deadline to make the deal. Jed also thanked PCA for being the kind of person he is.
For PCA, he thanked both his parents, especially for “all the hours they put in” and said he’s hoping to move them to Chicago full-time now that he’s signed long-term. He also thanked the Ricketts family and is proud to represent the entire organization, saying he’s loved all the time he’s spent in Chicago.
To Banner, PCA said he was “glad he didn’t hold it against me for showing up late the first day of Mets camp” and said that began an excellent relationship with him.
Advertisement
Hoyer said, “This was a player we anted to make a commitment to. Five years wasn’t enough, from a playing standpoint and a brand standpoint, Pete is a very easy person to invest in.” I do think that was a key part of this, knowing that PCA is the kind of person and player who’s perfect to be that “face of the franchise.” Hoyer made a point of noting that PCA’s jersey is among the top 10 sellers in all of baseball, and PCA himself noted that he saw some of that support outside Chicago last year in Tokyo. But he also added, “I’m most excited about being in Chicago for the next six-plus years, very lucky to be in an amazing city and around the people here.”
He added, “This is one of the most unique baseball cities in the world, I would argue that it’s the best. It was the coolest thing for me to learn about Cubs fans and the attention they pay. They’re not quick to turn things negative. It really helps us as players to play in front of people who want to win, but are also just happy to be at the ballpark and watch baseball.”
PCA was asked about something I noted earlier in this article, about his interaction with young fans. He said, “If I treat them well, they will associate those kinds of memories when they think about baseball. Young fans will continue the game, so it’s good to look out for the greater good of baseball. But just treating people with kindness is the most important thing.” This is a 24-year-old (indeed, he just turned 24 two days ago) who really has some keen insights about people in general.
Asked about manager Craig Counsell, PCA said his presence is “big” but “mild-mannered.” He called Counsell very thoughtful and that he cares about players as people and njoys playing for him every day.
Advertisement
Lastly, I was amused when PCA said, “This (referring to the presser) is more nervewracking than standing in center field.”
Fortunately, we all know he’s got the confidence to play amazing defense in center field. Hopefully, his 2026 season — and the six after that — will be, at the plate for PCA, more like last year’s first half.