Pete Crow-Armstrong Becomes Cubs Star While Mets Regret the Trade: “My Loyalty Is to Chicago”

Chicago, May 23, 2025 — As Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) takes his position in center field at Wrigley Field under the May sun, he’s no longer just a promising young talent — he’s the face of the Chicago Cubs’ future. For Cubs fans, PCA represents hope and excitement. For the New York Mets, he is a painful reminder of a trade that got away.

From Mets Gamble to Cubs Gem

Back in July 2021, the Mets traded PCA to the Cubs in exchange for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. At the time, Crow-Armstrong was recovering from shoulder surgery and had dropped off most top-100 prospect lists. He was seen as a minor piece in a short-term push for New York.

But the Cubs saw something different. Now, four years later, Crow-Armstrong leads the National League in WAR and is a legitimate MVP candidate. The Mets, meanwhile, are left watching a former prospect turn into a star — wearing another team’s uniform.

Mets Attempt a “Makeup Call”

According to reports, the Mets have quietly reached out to PCA’s camp, exploring the possibility of bringing him back to New York. With the team rebuilding and trying to assemble a core of young stars, PCA represents a dream scenario — a chance to rewrite the past.

But what truly made headlines this week wasn’t the Mets’ interest. It was Crow-Armstrong’s swift and emphatic response.

“My Loyalty Is to the Cubs”

When asked about the Mets’ rumored approach during a post-game media session, PCA didn’t mince words:

“I’m grateful the Mets drafted me, but everything I am now — as a player and a person — I owe to the Cubs. They believed in me when no one else did. My loyalty is to Chicago, and I want to win a championship here.”

His comments quickly went viral, with Cubs fans celebrating him as a symbol of rare loyalty in modern sports. In an age of trades and mega-contracts, Crow-Armstrong’s commitment to the team that believed in him struck a chord.

Cubs Move Swiftly to Lock Him Up

In response, Cubs management is reportedly accelerating efforts to sign Crow-Armstrong to a long-term extension. Sources suggest that the deal could exceed $100 million — a massive jump from the $70–75 million range discussed during spring training.

“He’s at the center of everything we’re building,” said a Cubs executive. “Pete isn’t just a great player — he’s a leader in the clubhouse. He represents the culture we want in Chicago.”

So far this season, PCA is hitting .275/.315/.525 with 6 home runs, 21 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. His elite defense in center field and on-field maturity have made him indispensable.

A Costly Lesson for the Mets

For the Mets, the PCA saga will go down as one of the more regrettable moves in recent franchise memory. At the time of the 2021 trade, Crow-Armstrong wasn’t seen as a centerpiece. Now, he’s one of the brightest young stars in the game.

Veteran baseball analyst Ken Rosenthal put it bluntly:

“The Mets didn’t just lose a good prospect. They gave up a potential franchise cornerstone. The Cubs took a risk, and it paid off big.”

Final Thoughts

Pete Crow-Armstrong is more than a rising star. He’s a symbol of what can happen when a team invests in potential and a player embraces the moment. While the Mets scramble to rebuild, the Cubs are already reaping the rewards of their patience and vision.

In an era where loyalty in sports often feels like a fading ideal, Crow-Armstrong’s words — “My loyalty is to Chicago” — resonate far beyond the ballpark.