Spring training is a normal time for extensions but there doesn’t seem to be much smoke between the Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong. The outfielder was asked about the topic of Foul Territory this week but played down the urgency. “There will be discussions, there will be discussions,” he said. “But at the same time, we’re not in a rush to do anything. I’d like to keep it that way because I’m going to go out and play regardless … there’s bigger fish to fry right now than what’s leading me.”
The Cubs and Crow-Armstrong were in extension talks around this time last year. At that point, he had one full season under his belt. In 2024, he showed his speed and defense but with a low offense.
Since then, he has raised his stock, as he made his offense above league average in 2025. He didn’t draw many walks but he did hit 31 home runs, helping him to a .247/.287/.481 line and a 109 wRC+. That came in an inconsistent form, however. He hit 25 homers in the first half, with 17.6% of his fly balls clearing the fence. The league average home run rate was 11.9% last year. In the second half, the rate dropped to 7.8% for Crow-Armstrong, resulting in only six long balls after the break.
The season as a whole was solid but it’s fair to question his offense going forward. His 4.5% walk rate last year was higher than the other four professional hitters in the league, so he needs to provide value when he puts the ball on the ball. That happened in 2025 but with a season total of 14.2% home runs to fly the average a few ticks above average. Statcast had his batting average and average exit velocity in the 42nd and 43rd percentiles, respectively, so the extra home runs are likely a little luck-based.
What he can give you at the plate going forward is up in the air but speed and defense are legit. He swiped 35 bags last year and got good grades in the middle. He has an amazing floor but the ceiling is a question. Whether he and the Cubs can land in the extension price zone remains to be seen. His total service time stands at one year and 170 days, just two days short of the two-year mark. That means he can be controlled for five more seasons but is essentially a lock to be a Super Two guy after this year, giving him four seasons of arbitration instead of the usual three.
Elsewhere on the list, hold on Miguel Amaya he’s been doing basic preliminary tests, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Amaya has first base experience from the minors but not recently. Over the past four seasons, his stint at the position was just two games in Double-A in 2023.
It makes sense to see if Amaya works at first, as it will increase the flexibility of the program. It looks like the Cubs will carry three catchers, with Carson Kelly again Moisés Ballesteros and there beside Amaya. One of the three options is Ballesteros, but he hit so well last year that the Cubs seem to want him to hit the bullpen regularly.
That may leave Amaya somewhat behind the plate but there is a path to some at-bats at first. The Cubs have it Michael Busch he is expected to be a regular first baseman but he is a lefty who has not yet hit the bottom. Cubs were planning to be Tyler Austin works as Busch’s right-hand teammate but Austin just had knee surgery and will miss months.
Amaya is a right-handed hitter but has been divisive in his career thus far. He has a .254/.321/.416 line against righties but has hit just .193/.256/.298 against lefties. That makes him an ideal bottom partner for Busch’s team but his ability to play the position can still help the Cubs. In the extreme, they can have someone as an outfielder Chas McCormick hit Busch late in games, and someone else will play first base. Even putting the team’s issues aside, they don’t have a clear starting backup when Austin is out.
Levine lands that left hand again Ryan Rolison it caught the manager’s attention Craig Counsell in the morning at the camp. Rolison was recently asked to be released from the White Sox last month. He has a 7.02 earned run average in his major league career thus far, which is obviously not surprising. But he’s coming off a great season in the minors with the Rockies. The former first-round pick pitched 29 2/3 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League last year with a 3.34 ERA, 25.2% strikeout rate, 7.1% walk rate and 48.8% ground ball rate.
Even if he has a good spring, it will be difficult for him to earn an Opening Day spot. As MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently surveyed the Front Office subs, the Cubs are one of the top teams with few draft picks. In the bullpen, they plan to open the season with guys who can’t be selected at six of the eight spots. Of the two, one of them is close Daniel Palenciawho cannot be brought down. The other is him Javier Assadlikely to end up in Iowa but the Cubs may be reluctant to let him go after he has been solid the last few years.
Rolison has one option remaining, so he will likely start the season in Triple-A. Still, injuries are inevitable during a long season, so maybe Rolison will be in good shape to get the call when the time comes. Caleb Thielbar again Hoby Milner project as bullpen lefties to open the season. Rollison, Luke Little again Riley Martin there are options for lefties in the 40-man.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Gorski, Imagn Images
