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I’m in the middle of a five-part series regarding potential contract extensions for young Cubs players.
Earlier this week in the SB Nation reacts survey, I asked you which of the five you’d most like to see extended.
The result was pretty close:
Pete Crow-Armstrong is almost certainly the most popular of what we might call the “new Cubs core.” His talent also, in my view, has the most upside. He showed that through most of the first half of the 2025 season, which got him elected an All-Star starter and Cubs fans had visions of a 40-40 season.
That didn’t happen, but PCA’s numbers were still pretty good. He did have a 30-30 season and added 37 doubles, making him the first Cub ever to have 30 doubles, home runs and steals in a single season. And his stellar defense got him to 6.0 bWAR, which was sixth-best in the National League this year, just behind his teammate Nico Hoerner (6.1).
Michael Busch appears to be the “steady hand,” as opposed to the somewhat-mercurial PCA. He had his first 30-homer season in 2025, hitting 34, and added four more in the postseason. He also plays good defense at first base. It seems possible he could perform at that level for several more seaons. But his age (he turns 28 next month) argues, to some extent, against an extension.
I also had Daniel Palencia in the survey and clearly, his vote was less than 1 percent. There will be articles about him and Matt Shaw coming up next week. Those two might not be good extension candidates, but it’s worth discussing, anyway.
Here are the results from the national questions from the survey. I’m including the votes for World Series winner even though we already have one WS game in the books, Friday’s xxx win over the xxx.
The other national question had to do with all the open managerial positions this year and which one might be most desirable:
I voted for the Padres here. The Braves certainly have been a good team over the last few years, although they missed the postseason in 2025, largely because of injuries to the pitching staff. The Padres have made the postseason three of the last four years, and that might be a desirable position to have as well.
Thanks to all who voted in the SB Nation Reacts survey!
