Team USA manager Mark DeRosa: Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong is 'the best defender in the game'

ORLANDO — Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong left an impression on Team USA manager Mark DeRosa this spring, when DeRosa was on site for MLB Network.

“I went in with one expectation, and I walked away like, oh my god, I love this kid,” he said.

Going into the winter meetings this week, Crow-Armstrong and Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd were publicly committed to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On Tuesday, Team Canada general manager Greg Hamilton revealed Cubs top prospect Owen Caissie was set to be on the WBC roster for the second time.

Representatives from Team Mexico and Team Venezuela said they have been in contact with Cubs pitchers Javier Assad and Daniel Palencia, respectively. There’s mutual interest, the teams said, pending the approval of the Cubs.

Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki and starting pitcher Shota Imanaga have yet to announce whether they’ll play for Team Japan.

Last cycle, Suzuki committed to playing, but an oblique injury in spring training forced him to withdraw.

Imanaga posted a 3.00 ERA in the 2023 tournament, a performance capped by his start in the championship game against Team USA. But he and the Cubs may see value in a more normal offseason and spring training schedule, as Imanaga works to address mechanical issues that cropped up late last season.

Crow-Armstrong was the first Cub this year to be officially announced as a WBC commit.

“I think he’s the best defender in the game, I really do,” DeRosa said of Crow-Armstrong’s fit on the roster. “I think the metrics prove it out. And if and when we go to Miami, that center field’s got to be covered. And I didn't want to put stress on [Aaron] Judge. I didn't want him to think, ‘Hey, I might be playing center field tonight. I want to just leave him where I think he's most impactful, in right field, and go out and get a true defender.”

In addition to Judge, Crow-Armstrong’s set to play alongside stars like Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, Will Smith, Paul Skenes, Corbin Carol and Bobby Witt Jr.

“We've been really thoughtful with how we're building the roster, and a combination of established players with young, energetic rising stars in the game,” Team USA GM Michael Hill said. “I don't know if there's a bigger rising star personality than PCA. And it takes two seconds watching him running around center field to know this guy wants it. He loves this game.”

Schwarber, Diaz make headlines

After a slow first day of winter meetings, the action picked up Tuesday afternoon when, according to multiple reports, NL MVP finalist Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies for five years and $150 million and closer Edwin Díaz signed with the Dodgers for three years and $69 million.

Schwarber, a beloved former Cub, reportedly was pursued by two other NL Central teams, the Pirates and Reds.

Diaz’s signing kept the reliever market, which moved early this year, moving. The Cubs will continue to be heavily engaged in that market.

More support for Shaw

A day after president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer spoke about his confidence in young third baseman Matt Shaw, general manager Carter Hawkins was asked if the Cubs still would be against trading him.

“If a team calls a player ‘untouchable,' ” Hawkins said, borrowing the wording of the question, "it’s because his value is so high that it's just unrealistic to think that anyone else would come over the top and give you something that's even more than that value. And I think that's where Matt Shaw comes into play for us.”

Hawkins pointed to his strong defense, evolution on offense, and length of cost-effective club control.

“Is he untouchable?” Hawkins said, “No, no one's untouchable. But the odds of somebody coming in and giving us an offer that would make us want to move him is really, really low.”