Wild Numbers Emerge for Potential Extension for Cubs Emerging Star

Emerging star Pete Crow-Armstrong is reportedly eyeing a $135M extension if the Chicago Cubs hope to lock him up long-term.

The Chicago Cubs continue to be the class of the National League Central Division at this early stage of the season, with a 21-13 record going into Sunday's games, in first place with a three-game lead.

After yet another three homers and five RBIs this weekend, a lot of the credit goes to emerging star Pete Crow-Amstrong, the former first-round pick of the New York Mets who has been absolutely tearing it up on the North Side this season. PCA has 12 stolen bases, good for 4th in the majors, while placing second in home runs with nine, with an .871 OPS and a 147 OPS+. He's a star in the making. Actually, let's say he's a star that has arrived.

“This is star-level production, no question about it,” manager Craig Counsell told The Athletic. “It’s been the power lately. But great players can affect the game in a lot of ways, and Pete has that ability. Sometimes it’s the defense, sometimes it’s the base running.

Still in his pre-arbitration years, the Cubs have already tried to get the 23-year-old's signature on a long-term extension, but he reportedly turned down a $75 million offer earlier this season.

So after this explosion into star territory, what would it cost for the Cubbies to lock him up now?

According to Chris Rose on Baseball Today, PCA is using this hot start to massively build up his value.

No wonder he reportedly turned down an extension that would have maxed out at $75 million. I think he's got his eyes on a Jackson Merrill-type deal. That's what I think.

Merrill, the runner-up for Rookie of the Year last season for the San Diego Padres, signed a nine-year, $135 million extension after his breakout rookie year.

With Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki in the corners, the Cubs outfield is one of the best in the majors this season without a doubt. But it'll get awfully expensive to keep it together if that is indeed the price tag PCA is looking at.

Even if they aren't able to get Crow-Armstrong signed to an extension, he is under team control through the 2023 season. But Tucker? That'll be a mighty expensive deal to work out. Some are suggesting that he'll eclipse the $400 million mark—perhaps even $500 million.