The Cubs’ teardown of their last core that saw them part ways with Kyle Schwarber, Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Craig Kimbrel over the course of nine months. That slate of moves, to this point, has offered little in terms of major league production. There are some promising prospects from trades in that teardown, such as Owen Caissie (Darvish) and Kevin Alcantara (Rizzo) knocking on the door of the big leagues, but some of the pieces acquired in the trades of Darvish, Rizzo, Bryant, and Kimbrel have already departed the organization (e.g. Nick Madrigal, Alexander Canario).
So far, the primary exception is the trade that sent Baez (and right-hander Trevor Williams) to the Mets for center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. The former first-round pick’s premium defense and speed gave him a high floor, and he continued to elevate his stock en route to billing as a consensus top-50 prospect in the sport.
In a league that’s seen an increasing number of young talents locked up long-term before reaching arbitration, Crow-Armstrong’s pedigree has long led Cubs fans to wonder if Chicago could follow in the footsteps of Arizona, Atlanta, and their brethren on the south side and lock up their young center fielder early in his career. It seems as though both the club’s front office and Crow-Armstrong himself could consider such an arrangement. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma wrote last week that the front office “would be open” to bringing an offer to Crow-Armstrong. For his part, the youngster told Sharma he’s “always open to that conversation” as well.
Both the highs and the lows of Crow-Armstrong’s profile were on full display in 2024. He hit just .237/.286/.384 (87 wRC+) in 410 trips to the plate across 123 games… and his 2.7 fWAR in center field was still tied with Jacob Young of the Nationals for the eighth-highest figure of any player at the position last year thanks to his top-flight defensive and baserunning abilities. Crow-Armstrong went an excellent 27-for-30 on the basepaths, including 22 straight steals without being caught. In the field, his +14 Outs Above Average and +11 Defensive Runs Saved were the fifth- and seventh-best figures among outfielders, while his +16 Fielding Run Value was surpassed among fielders at all positions by only Giants catcher Patrick Bailey. Those defensive accolades become even more impressive when considering that Crow-Armstrong played just 112 games in center field.
Impressive as his rookie season was in many ways, it’s undeniable that Crow-Armstrong’s bat left something to be desired. Among 31 center fielders to get at least 400 plate appearances last year, his aforementioned 87 wRC+ ranks just 20th and puts him well behind the production of similarly gifted center fielders like Daulton Varsho, Michael Harris II, and Brenton Doyle. If the Cubs believe Crow-Armstrong will remain a below-average hitter, it’d be difficult to justify extending him when he’s already under team control through his age-28 season.
There were some signs of positive growth throughout the year, however. From July onward, Crow-Armstrong slashed .260/.309/.442 with a wRC+ of 108. His strikeout (21.6%) and walk (5.6%) rates were both slightly improved in that time, but most of that offensive boost came from a power outburst. Crow-Armstrong entered July with just one home run but crushed nine more over his final 72 games. While Crow-Armstrong’s .085 ISO through the end of June would put him in line with Andres Gimenez and Luis Arraez, his .185 ISO from July onward was more in line with hitters like Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The increased power is reflected in more advanced metrics, as well. Crow-Armstrong’s barrel rate (4.3%) and hard-hit rate (29.8%) were both lackluster early in the season but from July onward increased to 8.9% and 40.3%, respectively.
Perhaps Harris, who signed an eight-year, $72MM extension with the Braves back in 2022, could be the most useful comp for Crow-Armstrong given his strong work in center field and up-and-down offensive production throughout his career to this point. Harris was in the midst of a dominant rookie season where he slashed .297/.339/.514 (137 wRC+) at the time of his deal with Atlanta and was also a year younger than Crow-Armstrong is now, but lacked his pedigree as a former first-round pick and top-20 prospect while also providing far less defensive value than Crow-Armstrong does.
Lawrence Butler just signed a seven-year, $65.5MM extension but did so with more than a year of service. Glove-first position players with some offensive ceiling who signed long-term deals in recent years include Ke’Bryan Hayes (eight years, $70MM) and Ezequiel Tovar (seven years, $63.5MM). Most of those deals were signed when the player had five remaining years of club control, however. Crow-Armstrong has six.
If you were in the Cubs’ shoes, would you try to lock up Crow-Armstrong long-term despite his lack of consistent offensive track record? Or would you wait to see how he develops in 2025 and beyond, even at the risk that he substantially boosts his earning power with a breakout campaign? Have your say in the poll below:
Absolutely. Too much upside not to.
IMO – He doesn’t do anything that well to warrant an extension besides good defense and stolen bases. He needs to go out and earn it, otherwise just go thru the arbitration process if I’m the Cubs.
So he’s proven he currently does 3/4 of the game at a well above/elite level. You do realize in CF with just league average offense that is a 4WAR player? Plus he’s hit at every level once adjusted, would be silly not to bet on that upside for something like $70-80M. That can quickly turn into >$150M with a good not great season.
I was going to make same point. Dude is debatably the best CFer as a rookie, uh yeah you wanna extend him. The real question is how much and how long. He could end up a Kiermeier type.
The minors is littered with fast defensive 1st type players, the bat is what gets you paid.
Where are you coming up with your numbers? Just compare Kyle Tucker who’s earned roughly 57MM in career earnings thru arbitration. Where do you get that Pete can sniff a 150MM extension with not even a great year but just a “good” year.
He reminds me more a Kevin Pillar type player anyways and he’s only banked 24MM total.
Correction other commenter probably has a better comparison in Kiermeier, whose career earnings total about 68MM.
See if he can produce with the bat over the course of a n entire season, then work on extension.
How about Jackson Merrill?
I said yes, at his current skillset, so it will be a discount.
You are full of terrible takes. He reminds you of a Kevin Pillar type player? I mean, seriously? Kevin Pillar isn’t nearly the baserunner the PCA is. PCA will have more steals this year than Pillar ever had, his defense is better, and he potential in his bat is much higher.
You must be some kind of troll.
Pillar had 25 steals his first full season in a time when stealing bases was a lot more difficult and average about 15 for the next 4 years. Also I redacted that comparison for Kevin Kiermeier, but you’re more than welcome to bring a better comparison.
Nobody is saying he’s not extremely talented, he just doesn’t warrant an extension right now. I don’t know why you’re so upset it seems pretty obvious a lot of people share that same opinion.
Because it definitely feels like there are plenty of people who are more concerned with being anti-Cub than having a reasonable take. PCA has 30+ power, excellent baserunning and defense. Comparing him to a role player seems disingenuous at best. He is already electric.
PCA grades out as a 50 on power. That is MLB average. About 12-15 HR, not 30+ or even close. His claim to fame is 80 grade defense. Unless he starts to hit, he is a role player. A really, really good defensive role player.
The Red Sox had a guy just like him. JBJ is a cautionary tale for guys like PCA.
19 upvotes for “He doesn’t do anything that well” … “besides defense and base running”.? LOL.
He can hit, he didn’t hit great in his rookie season but he takes time to adjust. I have said it before and I will say it again, he will be one of the best players in baseball.
So basically, based on what you said, he deserves an extension. PCA isn’t good at defense, he’s elite at defense. The only reason he didn’t earn a gold glove last season is because he didn’t play enough innings to qualify for consideration.
On the base paths, PCA is electric. He forces defenses into making bad plays and should easily swipe 30+ bags.
Even if his offense doesn’t improve, he’s still going to be a 3+ WAR player.
I voted no, but I definitely could be wrong though here. I would like to see how he is with the bat lst. PCA’s defense and speed is definitely top notch already though.
Could end up like Gimenez; solid glove player who’s bat never actually warrants the contract he got. Down side would be Jackie Bradley Jr.
If he continues to paint his hair absolutely
Absolutely. No brainer to not. 8/88 is what I’ve been saying on other social media places. Twitter, youtube channels.
Provide links. Go.
Don’t think posting links is allowed. And why anyway. It’s just my opinion on the matter on other social media platforms. That’s it.
You can post links unless it’s spam. The app doesn’t include the clickable link though.
You’ve always been honest af, Logjammah. I believe ya brah! And agree on 8, 9 years in that 80-90 range. Cheers! Worst case is he’s KK Lite…? Best case is he figures it all out and he’s a superstar lol
An 8 year deal takes him to his age 31 season. He’ll be 23 in 13 days. I’m hoping when I go to AZ for cubs ST games I see him. I wanna tell him I’m 17 years and 2 days exactly older than him. I’ll be 40 in 9 days. If I can’t talk to him a picture or even just a hand shake would be awesome too.
Happy early Birthday braddha! Have fun LDB. Get to the games early and hang out. Be cool bro, he’ll want to meet you!
Appreciate that. What does LDB mean? I have a feeling it’s something obvious that I should know.
Dave? Dave’s not home!
LDB = Logjammah D’Baggagecling
Haha
@bucket6,
LOL, love your obvious observation.
Buck, I’ve caught on to your wise posts in the past, but the Dave one is above my head. Not gunna lie…
I blew it. It should be “Dave’s not here”. Classic Cheech and Chong routine. Logjammer reminded me of Dave.
Getting kind of crazy with these long term extensions for players who haven’t proven anything yet.
Exactly. I don’t know why this is even a question right now. I’m not suggesting he has to hit like a superstar from now to get the extension. But the Cubs can certainly wait a year and see whether he at least shows some improvement.
Yeah OK, but paying almost $800MM for a psuedo-DH is normal, right metsin4000?!?
Gwynning, are you seriously comparing Soto to Pete Crow Armstrong? Sounds like your a little bitter about him not signing with the Padres.
You said it’s crazy to extend young players, and I’m retorting that an $800MM DH is crazier. There is no comparing the two as players, they’re as vastly different as outfielders come. I am 100% not bitter, my friend. Enjoy the games!
So crazy that other teams offered him more money and 6 teams offered over 700m.
He isn’t a DH and implying he is dishonest but maybe I should change your name to Padres in never.
Sounds you like to sip the bitters! Good luck with Soto’s “defense”… you’re going to wish he’d just DH in a couple months! I hope we see you guys in the playoffs, if your staff can get you there!
🙂
Soto is an awful outfielder. His -5 OAA proves that. His 10 out of 100 baserunning rating proves that. His 38 out of 100 fielding rating proves that and his 36 out of 100 sprint speed proves that.
He is a DH.
I hope the Padres can sneak in too but that will be an uphill battle.
He lead the league in putouts, assists, and fielding percentage for right fielders last year. So that means he got to the most balls. He didn’t make errors and his arm is very good. He scored 128 runs and was 2 in the MLB. His base running is good enough to do the most important thing in baseball which is score runs.
None of those stats mean anything if your OAA is -5. That doesn’t mean he got to the most balls either, it means the ones he could reach. He made 2 errors in RF last year, so I don’t know what you’re talking about here.
Scoring runs is indicative of having people behind you hitting, not an indicator that he is a good baserunner.
metsin4- we like you bro. No need to rub it in our face that you got an A in Homerism 101.
PCA has shown his floor. Ridiculous defense, ridiculous base running. I don’t think he will ever post an .800 plus OPS but I think low .700 is pretty likely with plus plus defense and base running.
I wouldn’t, unless he’s willing to sign for peanuts.
I like the idea of team’s locking up young players but not every single player after a decent rookie showing. Maybe I’m gun shy because of the Jon Singleton, Evan White, Sean Kingery deals. Even the Cubs got very little out of the David Bote extension
Extending Bote over Rizzo or Kris Bryant was ridiculous (at the time) in hindsight it was a good thing they didn’t extend Rizzo or Bryant but Bote didn’t earn one either. Hell, KB was never even offered an extension by the Cubs. He has a great poker face because after he filed for club manipulation he really kept it in. Not even sure if he’s openly talked about that. He knew he wasn’t going to win the case but he made a stand of teams not doing that in the future. Even though it’s not all that uncommon. He was just the first (that I know of) to fight it.
But they did extend Rizzo early to a very team friendly deal. They offered a a second deal that he turned down and has proven the Cubs offer was more than he’ll probably make for the rest of his career. Bryant was never going to accept an early extension and Baez had way too much risk.
I was referring to a 2nd one prior to the Cubs trading him in 2021. (Which likely doesn’t happen if tbe cubs don’t go on a 12 game losing streak after a combined No Hitter vs. the Dodgers in LA. It was a good thing they traded him. Kevin Alcantara is underrated. And probably should’ve made the team. Or least was allowed to travel to Japan with the team for the experience.
Where exactly would Kevin Alcantara play? Is he going to start over Happ? Tucker? PCA? Get DH time from Suzuki?
The best thing the Cubs could have done was send him to AAA so he could get regular at bats. First man up in the event of injury unless Caissie is out classing him.
They have 2 exhibition games against two Japanese teams. He could always be used in the late innings if one of the two games is a blow out win or loss.
Caissie needs to get healthy first.
Acting like you know something when you don’t…
A.) the Cubs did extend Rizzo in a similar situation as PCA, only played a year and then they extended him with team options buying out I believe two free agent years
B.) they DID make an offer to Bryant in the 200 million range which he declined.
C.) the Cubs offered Baez an extension in the 170-180 range which he also declined
D.) the Cubs extended Happ
E.) the Cubs extended Hoerner
F.) the Bote extension was not an “instead” situation. Bote at the max of his extension earned 5 million dollars. That isn’t make or break money.
G.) Cubs extended Hendricks
Cubs absolutely should extend PCA, his floor is high because of his stellar defense at a position where defense is a premium. His base running ability also is a great asset with the new rules. No reason at all PCA doesn’t swipe 35+ bags in a full season. He only started 112 games (I believe) and stole 27 while also having the best running value in the league (defensive and base running value). So his floor plus offensive upside is well worth the gamble.
The Cubs should hedge it, instead of an escalating salary, they have the ability to spend now so 10/100 pay the man now and only be on the hook for 10 million per year in real dollars, not just cap money
It’s false news that Bryant was ever offered any extension. I know Baez was offered an extension.
The Cubs made an attempt to lock up Kris Bryant to a multiyear deal in the neighborhood of $200 million, but the superstar third baseman turned down the deal in recent months, a source confirmed to MLB.com on Wednesday. ESPN’s Dave Kaplan was the first to report the offer and its rejection. The club has not confirmed such an offer.
Colt Keith also isn’t looking great but he still has time
Never forget Eloy Jimenez
Not sure why you need to.
Teams and the players union already agreed to 6 years of subsidized control. Except in the rarest and most extreme of cases teams would be wise to let the process play out for at least 2-3 years.
They can always extend them later when they only have 2-3 years of control left and I dont see the rush to extend players you already control for 4+ more years. A couple extra yrs gives you time to assess exactly what player you are signing.
What about Jackson Chourio? He signed a big extension before ever playing a single ML game. He’s likely to have those “sophomore struggles’ I think he was overpaid. PCA is also better than him. Chourio might have a better bat but right now but PCA clears him on defense. Had PCA not been sent down last year. He likely wins the Gold Glove for CF.
Ridiculous statement. PCA is a defense first centerfielder. Chourio is potential hall of famer with the bat.
Chourio plays one season and he has HOF potential? And you called my comment ridiculous? Death (family guy) gif laughing here.
lol, potential hall of famer? Not a soul has put him anywhere near the level of a Soto let alone HOF. Drink more Brew Juice my friend to the north.
Chourio had 3.8 WAR in his age 20 season. Yes, HOF potential. PCA has a chance to be the next Kevin Kiermeier. Good player. But not Jackson Chourio. BTW – I’m a Dodgers fan.
@16 – Chourio is the youngest guy to have a 20/20 season how is that not HOF material if he keeps that up. The average WAR for a HOF is between 50-70, Jackson had a 3.9 fWAR his rookie year so if we set that has a baseline. By age 31-32 he would be at that 50ish mark with another couple years left if he stays healthy. Obviously this is barring serious injury.
Chourio is a hall of very good player unless he gets into the 900 ops for multiple seasons
He reminds me of a small Vernon wells or small andruw jones without the defense and power
Pete Crow Armstrong will have a better year than Churio this season and a better overall career. He’s already better on the base paths and in the field and will be better with the bat going forward to.
We can make a wager on it if you’d like.
PCA will have a higher OPS+ … that’s the bet.
@Chris – Oh I would love to take your money please!!!
Done deal, $100. I live in Milwaukee. I’d be happy meet up at the end of the year.
PCA only started 109 games and posted a 2.3 WAR. So if 3.8 WAR is HoF potential, why wouldn’t 3.4 WAR?
Also, do you not think Kiermeirer is going to get into the Hall of Fame as the best center field defender to ever play the game? I certainly think he has a shot
@Drasco I think there is almost a 0 to slim chance Kiermeier is going to the HOF with his numbers. And Churio is doing this 3 years younger than PCA is right now. I’m sorry but hitting gets the recognition so unless PCA can turn that up I will take Churio all day long for HOF over PCA.
There is a strong argument for Kiermaier. KK hands down, and there really is no argument, the best center fielder of all time. He “only” posted a 21.something dWAR but he did that in about 1000 games as a starter.
As for PCA, I think it’s stupid to talk about HoF this early in a guys career, same with Chourio but PCA’s defense is right up there with KK and PCA is going to rob the bases blind. When I think of a stud defender, couldn’t hit but was a burner on the base paths, the Wizard of Oz immediately comes to mind. If PCA can remain healthy (huge if, we look at KK and others in centerfield who cannot in addition to playing in Chicago with the brick wall) with his defensive instincts and arm strength in addition to his base stealing ability, he could very well be mirroring the great Ozzie Smith.
The thing is, most people on here are not watching Crow-Armstrong play. They are looking at stats and only hear he is a great defender. If one watches him play, they would see that his defense isn’t great, it’s next level and his base running is right there too.
I’m a fan of the Cubs, I’m never a fan of Cub players, I wasn’t a fan of Baez, Bryant, etc I never though any of those guys were special, PCA is a special player.
Objectively, and I think PCA will be better than this, but I think he’s a fairly safe bet to be around a .310 on base and a lower .700 OPS. I think his best years he will have a WAR over 5, his worst years (assuming health) it will be over 3.
I’m not going into a long debate but Kiermeier isn’t the best CF of all time so idk where you’re getting that from. Andrew Jones or Willie Mays I would take over him. And defensive wizards that made it to the HOF if you notice they were all older players. The new generation you need to hit a bit.
Well let’s see:
DWAR KK- 21.2
Andruw Jones 24.4
Willy Mays 18.2
KK- 1012 starts
Jones 2011 starts
There really is not argument that Kiermaier is and was a better defensive center fielder than Jones or Mays, he is and really it’s not even close.
Yeah they would all be older because you have to be retired for 5 years before you become hall of fame eligible.
You know what’s going to put a real damper on your opinion, when Yadi gets inducted in the Hall of Fame. Oh wait, let me guess “catchers are different” right?
Your comments are ridiculous, Yadi will be a 175HR / 1000+ RBI hitter as well. He was a good hitter for being a catcher. What player that retired since 2005 is a defensive 1st player with minimal batting… I’ll wait.
Right on cue! “For a catcher” just like I said you would.
Did you even have a point or just blabbing? Those hitting stats are good across any position my point was him being a catcher makes it more impressive since it’s the toughest position physically over the course of a career. How does that compare to CF?
Kenny Lofton was one of the best CF’s with way better hitting numbers than Kiermeier and still isn’t in the HOF so I’m just wondering why you think Kevin is a bonafide candidate to get in?
PCA over Chourio? Whaaaaaat!!! I hope the comment section comes through on this one.
I honestly think that if they both reach their full potential they will be fairly similar in terms of value, but right now Chourio is definitely the better player, and that’s as a Cubs fan
Comparing PCA to Chourio is one of the wildest MLB takes I’ve ever seen man tbh.
pca better than Chourio?
C’mon. What are we doin’ here?
Depends on large market or small market. Small market or even mid market teams now can’t afford to wait or they are priced out of their price range pretty quickly. That’s why Choruio and even Witt was done early as well as a host of others.
They have him for 6 more years before free agency, what would have happened if you locked up Bryant or Baez or better still Addison Russel???
PCA is going to be better than Addison Russell. He is going to have an outstanding year.
I think its a bad idea to extend guys who haven’t proven they can hit in the big leagues. If they extend him, the upside is that he’s a star and they save, what, $20M over what they’d have paid in arb?. The downside is that he’s a grossly overpaid 4th OF struck on the roster for years. Bigger downside than upside.
Deals like that can also be bad for player development. Say they extend him now and he struggles for 3 months, the team wont want to send him down to work on his hitting, because he’s making a lot of money, and it would make the GM look bad.
Acuna is a great example. Tatis as well.
It’s called risk vs reward.
Also, history does not support player development concern. Lots of teams have extended players that didn’t work out great and had them sent to AAA. Singleton and the guy from Philly pretty much rode out their time in the minors. David Bote in Chicago did as well.
It’s worth noting that no player who signs an extension this early in his career is “making a ton of money”. They make 1-2 million the first year then a bit more the second year then a bit more and so on and so on. Their money would be a zero factor in them getting sent to the minors for development early on.
I wouldn’t do it right now, but I could definitely see it being an extremely good choice a year from now. I would want to see a true full season of success before PCA gets the bag.
Now do a similar article for every other team. Start with the Cardinals.
Cardinals should definitely extend Winn
The Cubs should. PCA should bet on himself and play out his years until free agency and invest in a boatload of SPF 100 sunblock.
Yes, the Cubs should extend Pete Crow-Armstrong now.
His bat is uncertain, but his elite defense and baserunning already provide significant value. Defensive excellence is often underpaid relative to offensive production, meaning the Cubs can lock in a high-floor player at a discount. Even if he remains a league-average hitter, his overall impact justifies an extension, and if his bat improves, the deal could become a bargain. Waiting only increases the risk of paying more later or losing him entirely.
And what if he’s not league average? What if the league figures him out and he regresses and stays regressed?
They have 5 more years of control over him. There’s no real reason to do this now, as opposed to a year from now when they have a clearer idea of whether or not he will hit.
Yes, a year from now might cost them more money. But how much more, really? If he’s that good, any extension will save them significant money, anyway, especially on his last year of arb plus the couple of years they extend him.
@geofft
A year from now, the Cubs will not have the same leverage they do today. If Crow-Armstrong improves offensively, his arbitration trajectory and extension demands increase, meaning Chicago will pay a premium for the same player they could have locked in now at a discount. This is why front offices increasingly prioritize pre-arb extensions—teams are betting on the probability that a young player’s value will outpace his contract, not paying for certainty.
The “what if he doesn’t hit?” argument assumes stagnation without accounting for the fact that even with below-average offense, PCA remains an above-average major leaguer due to his elite defense and baserunning. The floor is already high. The downside of an early extension is marginal—teams structure these deals to include low-risk guarantees while capping long-term costs.
Meanwhile, the upside is asymmetric: if PCA refines his bat just slightly, his surplus value skyrockets. And if the Cubs delay, they’ll either (1) pay more for the same player later or (2) lose the chance to secure him long-term if his breakout elevates his market price beyond their comfort zone.
In short, waiting is a bet against their own player—one that carries far more risk than locking him up now at a price point reflective of uncertainty.
In principle, what you’re saying is true. In practical reality, however, you are overstating it. Because front offices don’t “prioritize” pre-arb extension, per se. Only the poorer clubs do. What they prioritize is the cost control for the firrst few 0 and prime – years of the player’s free agency.
Terms like his value “skyrockets”, and “far” more risk are more dramatizations than reality.
A year from now, PCA will still be two years away from arbitration. The Cubs will still have have the same leverage that all clubs have in these negotiations: offering a big (relatively speaking) money guarantee sooner. Will it cost the Cubs more next year? Sure. But not nearly enough to force the issue this year. The player gets bigger money now than he would in pre-arb and even early arb), plus he gets a few more years of even bigger money tacked on. The club gets a price that is still cheaper, often significantly so – than the player will earn in his first few years of free agency. Because that is where the real cost-savings comes in.
Historically, these extension typically happened a year or so into arbitration. In recent years, those very poor clubs who can never, ever afford to retain their own free agents, and sometimes even their late arb players have started offering these extension earlier. Other than that, only the occasional and very rare super-talent might get an extension.
The Cubs aren’t that poor of a team, and PCA is not that big of a superstar.
Easily the most reasonable argument in this thread. Waiting a year costs the Cubs what, $20mil tops? Extending a year too early could waste $80mil. No brainer, wait for more certainty
Defense doesn’t pay in arbitration like HRS do.
There’s always a price where you take the risk but I don’t see any urgency here. Let it play out.
Yes, and they will.
that 5% walk rate screams YES
You can, literally, smell the desperation of such an extension. Trying so hard to cling to any meaningful return from the painful teardown.
They have to extend Justin Steele first. Then they can look to extend PCA and Busch, and spend on Tucker.
The Cubs do not have to nor should they consider extending Steele unless he’s open to a very team friendly deal.
Steele is a late bloomer, I believe he doesn’t hit free agency until he’s 32 years old.
Buying out his last two arb years and one FA year would give them some cost certainty. Build in a team option which vests if he spends 100 days on the IL, and a player option at a higher value which vests if he doesn’t.
Why on earth would Steele sign that?
Steele will be 32 before he reaches free agency, I don’t think he’s going to sign a one year extension to push him back to 33.
Maybe, Steele would be interested in extending through age 36, that would hedge against an injury and give him some long term security but I don’t know if I would do it if I were Hoyer. Maybe if it was pretty team friendly
No. They should trade him to the Tigers.
For Riley Greene.
Only if he tightens up that surname, it’s a mouthful. How’s about Pete Crarmstrong?
Pete Crong, although I like Pete Crow because it makes me think of MST3K!
or alternatively Petecrow Armstrong
@Bart Harley Jarvis
Why not just Pete? Ichiro did it so should be fine.
See how the season goes, there is no rush. If the Cubs have a good season the close prospects are going to be big in bolstering the team.
Boy could the Mets use a player like PCA right now. Oh well.
MLB just rated the Mets lineup number 2 in baseball. Vientos already proved to be a star and clutch in the playoffs. Keep the .239 hitter with 10 hrs lol
27 out of 30 stolen bases in 102 games and above average offensive numbers in the last few months of the season. His hard hit numbers doubled during this time. Improved at the same rate every level he’s played at. Most likely an above average player at a premium position for several years.
He wouldn’t even be on the roster. You do know Siri is an elite defender?
Yup. Terrible trade. Oh well.
I think we can overcome! We’ve got this!
Obtw, when was the last time the Mets made a trade and dealt a prospect who became a plus plus player? Said, differently who have the Mets allowed to get away in a lopsided trade in the last 15 years?
Answer: Collin McHugh. 12.3 career bWAR.
Change the rule. No extensions allowed. Every player must be a FA after six years (if not before). Some players will cash in big. Some will learn they have less market value then they thought. No player will get signed at a discount, and no team will be stuck with a mistake contract, without having a baseline to base their bidding on.
“No player will get signed at a discount, and no team will be stuck with a mistake contract…”
Except… everybody. Under your terms, each and every player would be categorized as either a value contract OR extremely overpaid. It would be the rare case to see the perfect FA contract evolve out.
If this guy put as much effort into his hitting as his stupid haircut he might be a great player.
No
Extend anyone at the right price. He isn’t a must extend guy though.
Hell no, he no go
You don’t extend the defense/speed profiles because the market doesn’t pay a premium for those. You go after the elite bats and batting eye profiles. Better to extend Bryce Harper or Juan Soto types and not Victor Robles or Myles Straw.
Where does Julio Rodriguez fit in your equation?
Well he has pop
Hop on Pop
M.J. = king of Pop
Julio definitely isn’t a speed/defense only profile. I personally wouldn’t have extended him but I understand why Seattle did, especially after the season he had at the time.
This feels premature despite his break out status. I am aware of this player because of the hype, but I’ve only seen hype and not concrete evidence that he’s this uniquely valuable player that needs to be locked into a long term deal whether for posterity and cost efficiency and fan service or to save money down the line, at this point.
I would say let’s see how 2025 shakes out… but I get it- if he breaks out he will be much that much more expensive going forward… but if that’s the case, the discount isn’t gonna be like going year to year he’d cost $100M and a preemptive extension would only be $50M.
I think right now I’d give him like 10 years/$75M w/ $75M in incentives and a $35M player option that can convert into a 5 year/$225M mutual option or something for a super early extension or something.
I can’t I imagine any kind of early/into-free-agent-years extension in this day and age being any cheaper or shorter, really.
Unless they wanna do something basic like $1M signing bonus, $1M for 2025, $1M buyout and by 5 years/$50M (so 6 years/$53M guarantee) w/ a pair of club options they could take it to 7 years/$86M and keep it real basic, real cheap, etc.
The only concern with extending PCA would be health.
This whole narrative of his bat being a question mark is moot. Kevin kiermaier, Harrison Bader, glove first, offensive question marks, Bader huge health concern, have gotten deals for 10 million based on defense and upside.
PCA is going to be worth 10+ million just based on his defense and base running alone, even if he posts an on base around 30%.
People are greatly underestimating his defense. It’s elite. He’s a total package on defense, speed, routes, instincts and arm strength. On the bases, he’s one of the best as well, stealing and taking extra bases off the bat.
Now, the only risk the Cubs have would be health and that is a concern with any player. His bat has real upside and PCA is a guy who works on improving his game, he’s “coachable” but if it never comes around or just comes around slightly the Cubs are already going to be way ahead on points.
PCA posted, I believe, a 2.3 WAR last season and that was only in 104 starts. His defensive metrics put him right there with the gold glove candidates without playing nearly as many games. He also was as aggressive on the base paths early in the season. Basically, in 162 games, he’s going to be a 3 WAR player if he provides little to no value with the bat.
One good month. One. August 2024.
Enough said.
He’s overdue. Can see it now. Post hype week. June 4-10 2029
Miles Straw
Even if he has league average offense like he did last season, it will be worth extending him. But if this spring training is anything to go off of, he could end up being well above average on offense, in which case we absolutely need to extend him.
The only guys you would sign to an extension this early are those that could get 100M+ when they hit free agency. No team in their right mind is going to sign a guy like PCA to that contract.
I love this, all the angst and wishing for a superstar that a mention of an extension brings out the “we”guys. You don’t own, manage, general manage or play. Plus, PCA hasn’t proven he can hit in MLB games. The ones that matter. Thanks for all the laughs.
Unless they’re Lionel Richie. Then they can use the “We”
Poor man Dykstra without the hitting or nonstop profanity
They should, but they won’t.
“Impressive as his rookie season was“ is NOT PROPER ENGLISH. You can’t just leave “as” out to begin the sentence. It’s not optional! Grammar is not optional when you’re being paid to write. Also, there should not be a comma before “as well.”