Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs center fielder, recently gave an in-depth interview for this month’s Chicago Magazine where he addressed ongoing contract extension discussions and shared reflections on his 2025 season performance. Coming off a year that marked his first All-Star appearance and a Gold Glove award, Crow-Armstrong expressed his desire to remain with the Cubs long-term while also acknowledging the challenges he faced late in the past campaign.
Challenges Faced During the 2025 Season
Although Crow-Armstrong started the 2025 season strong, he admitted his performance declined during the second half, describing it as “terrible” in the interview set to release this week. Despite the setbacks, he praised Chicago’s fanbase for their unwavering support throughout the season. Highlighting the city’s passion, he said,
“It’s just an incredible city. The people are great,”
adding,
“They give a s—. They aren’t just baseball fans who go to the game like Dodgers fans to take pictures or whatever. They are paying attention. They care.”
Commitment to the Cubs and Contract Negotiations
Still operating under his rookie contract, Crow-Armstrong confirmed that negotiations about his future are ongoing, expressing a clear wish to stay with the Cubs. He stated,
“I’ve made it clear I want to be here for as long as they want me,”
and emphasized his focus on the team’s best interests.
“I want what’s best for the team. I’m cool with being under team control and being here. League minimum ain’t too f—— bad.”
He also acknowledged the importance of balancing his personal ambitions with fairness toward the free agent market for outfielders and highlighted cooperative efforts between his agents and the Cubs organization to reach an agreement.
Impact of Playoff Experience and Future Goals
Crow-Armstrong’s first experience with playoff baseball has fueled his motivation moving forward. He reflected,
“I saw what bringing playoff baseball back to the city meant,”
and emphasized the significance of competing at the highest level, saying,
“That’s an easy, immovable goal. The f— are you playing for if you’re not trying to play in the playoffs and win the World Series?”
Outlook for the Coming Season and Team Changes
Entering his third full MLB season, Crow-Armstrong looks to build on a strong previous year in which he hit 31 home runs, recorded 95 RBIs, and stole 35 bases. His versatility and speed have made him a key contributor both defensively and offensively. With the departure of Kyle Tucker, Crow-Armstrong will likely cover more ground in the outfield as Seiya Suzuki is expected to take the majority of starts in right field.
The Cubs aim to capitalize on Crow-Armstrong’s growth as they prepare for the coming season, hoping his continued development will help them reach deeper into postseason play.
Availability of the Full Interview
The full interview with Pete Crow-Armstrong will be published in the latest issue of Chicago Magazine, available on newsstands and through the magazine’s website.
