(670 The Score) The Cubs are still trying to sign star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to a long-term deal, Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Tuesday morning.
The sides had conversations earlier this year, with the Cubs making an offer that was near $70 million, according to reports. That didn’t gain traction on Crow-Armstrong’s end, and his price has jumped significantly with a hot start to the season that has him in the early MVP conversation.
The 23-year-old Crow-Armstrong is hitting .280 with 14 homers, 48 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and an .875 OPS in 54 games this season.
Crow-Armstrong is under club control through the 2030 season and isn’t arbitration-eligible until 2027. The Cubs’ goal in any negotiation should be to buy out one and preferably two years of his free agency, Heyman said.
Heyman surmised that $140 million could be the range to get Crow-Armstrong to sign a long-term deal given how well he has played.
“They better sign him,” Heyman said. “I don’t think they have any choice now. We’re not talking about enormous bucks. This isn’t a (Kyle) Tucker situation. We’re talking about a guy with a bunch of arb years to go. He may not sign long into his free agency, but you’ve got to sign him at least one year into free agency and hopefully two years. As I wrote in the Post, they offered $60 million to $70 million, presumably over seven years. I heard it was $66 million.
“The Cubs have been watching. They know that wasn’t enough at this point. He’s an MVP candidate. They’ve had some talks since then, and they are still trying.”
You can listen to Heyman's full interview in the audio player above.