The Chicago Cubs are entering one of those uncomfortable front office moments. One where timing, money, and past mistakes start blending into a rather messy off-season soup. And at the heart of it this time are two players, one checkbook, and, well, a truckload of pressure.
But first, let’s rewind to Alex Bregman. The Cubs had made a solid offer—four years for $120 million. But Bregman chose the Boston Red Sox, where a three-year deal with deferred money gave him more per year. Jed Hoyer, the president of the Cubs, called it their best offer. But clearly, it was not good enough. And now Bregman is thriving in Boston, leaving a story of what could have been.
That mistake isn’t just sitting in place. It might echo into the next big decision for the Cubs—Kyle Tucker. Tucker’s is reportedly expecting a deal that is north of $400 million. And if the Chicago Cubs are serious about luring him in, they need to ensure they are not just window shopping for the stars. They need to build a winning team around him. And this is when Pete Crow-Armstrong comes in.
Kyle Tucker’s reportedly expecting a deal north of $400 million. And if the Cubs are serious about luring him in, they need to prove they’re not just window-shopping for stars—they’re ready to build around them. That’s where Pete Crow-Armstrong comes in.
The 24-year-old outfielder has been stellar in 2025, with a .267 average, nine home runs, and 12 stolen bases. So he isn’t just flashy; he is reliable and only improving month after month. The Cubs got him from the Mets and watched him go all the way up. So maybe it’s time for the team to pay up. But here is the thing: PCA is not thrilled with the team’s first offer, which is standing at $75 million. But reports say he is eyeing close to $100 million. Jon Heyman said, “You’ve got to sign PCA; you’re going to get a good deal out of him at this point. You can do it for $100 million or less, which is nothing in today’s day and age, so you have to do that.”
And well, in today’s baseball market, that’s barely above average for a guy who should anchor the outfield for the next decade for the team. Armstrong isn’t even eligible for arbitration until 2027 and will hit free agency only in 2031. So locking him in helps the team a plenty and also helps woo Tucker in by building a young, ready-to-contend team around him.
Cubs’ offense soars, and Cade Horton steps up to spice up the rotation
The Chicago Cubs entered the season with high expectations. And so far, they have delivered. Fans have predicted that there was a strong push in the NL East, and those predictions are proving true. Thanks largely to the offense that’s consistent and also overpowering. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs rank top six in nearly all major hitting categories.
They lead the league in runs scored and stolen bases and sit third in OPS and home runs. So this has made Chicago one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. Two players carrying much of the load are Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong. But while the offense has delivered, the pitching is in a pickle. Shota Imanaga, one of their starters, landed on the IL after posting a 2.82 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.
However, to tackle this, the Cubs have called up their pitching prospect Cade Horton. So who is he? He is a 23-year-old, ranked 46th overall and eighth among right-handed pitching prospects by MiLB. He also features a 70-grade slider, and his promotion is exciting and necessary for the rotation now. But of course, his debut comes with pressure. While the team is strong, the bullpen has been weak. They rank 22nd in ERA, 25th in WHIP, and 26th in walks per nine innings. So here, Horton’s ability can provide some stability, given Imanaga is out.
Do you think he can manage the high-stakes situation? Let us know.
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