Now a face of the Cubs, Crow-Armstrong relishes role more than money from 6-year, $115 million deal
CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong says settling into Chicago and becoming one of the faces of the Cubs matter more to him than the windfall from the six-year, $115 million contract the All-Star center fielder signed with the team. “The best part is knowing that I’m here, it’s where I wanted to be,” Crow-Armstrong said at a news conference Friday. The Cubs announced the deal after Thursday’s 10-4 loss to Washington on opening day.
"When I leave the field yesterday and go back to my place, and knowing this is going to be my routine for the next six-plus (years) … that’s what I’m most excited about. ” The 24-year-old Crow-Armstrong had already agreed to a one-year agreement for 2026 calling for $894,000 while playing in the majors. His new deal includes a $5 million signing bonus payable by May 15 and salaries of $10 million each in 2027, ’28 and ’29, $20 million in 2030 and $30 million apiece in 2031 and ’32.
The pact also has performance bonuses. Crow-Armstrong said his agents, led by Ryan Hamill of Creative Artists Agency, told him he might be blown away by huge contract numbers that would surface on paper once negotiations with the Cubs started in January 2025. “They said, 'Hey you’re gonna see what it says on the sheet and you’re going to start (spinning)’ and I did,” Crow-Armstrong said.
Crow-Armstrong won a Gold Glove in 2025, his third season with the Cubs, when he batted . 247 with 31 home runs, and 95 RBIs. Despite slumping at the plate after the All-Star break, the Southern California native became the first Cubs player with 30 or more homers, stolen bases (35) and doubles (37) in a season and only the second Cub after Sammy Sosa to go deep 30 or more times and swipe 30 or more bases.
Jed Hoyer, the Cubs president of baseball operations, stopped short of calling Crow-Armstrong the new face of the franchise. Yet Hoyer said the outfielder will not only help the NL Central-favorite Cubs win, but strengthen their brand and win over fans. “He’s a top-10 selling jersey for a reason, because who his is as a person and who he is as a player.