The Cubs are making in-season overtures toward NL MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong after offering him between $60 million and $70 million on a long-term deal in spring. They’re obviously willing to raise their bid, however, the ask is rising exponentially with PCA exploding. 

The Cubs were likely using Lawrence Butler ($65.5M) and Ezequiel Tovar ($63.5M) as comps in spring. They know they need new comps now. 

Folks have been undervaluing PCA — NL WAR leader at 2.9, tied with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jesús Luzardo — for years. 

The Cubs originally sought pitching prospect Matt Allan (still at Class-A after years of injuries), as Ken Rosenthal reported, before accepting PCA for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. The Mets liked PCA but were 3 ½ games ahead at the deadline, they wanted to win in Steve Cohen’s first year, PCA wasn’t yet a top-100 player, and he was on the IL at the time, so they made a deal they soon regretted.