*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter Cyforce
- Start date
Yikes Ben. With Shota back this week, I’m thinking we’ve seen the last of him in the rotation for awhile
I turned off a Cubs game for the first time this year. I wish Ben Brown well, but it's managerial malpractice if he gets another start anytime soon. At this point, they are doing him NO favors from a mental perspective. Throwing him to the wolves over and over again, hoping for a different result.
Would think Brown is a better candidate for long bp arm than Rea when Shota returns.
A lot of focus on Brown being a 2 pitch guy. And while a 3rd pitch wouldn't hurt, IMO his 2 biggest issues are:
A lot of focus on Brown being a 2 pitch guy. And while a 3rd pitch wouldn't hurt, IMO his 2 biggest issues are:
- He lacks control on his fastball. Boog and JD have commented on too many non-competitive pitches, He struggles with his fastball command, which blows my mind for an MLB starter.
- Ben doesn't throw enough inside. His fastball isn't good enough to throw strikes on 1/2 of the plate.
Ben probably should go get some innings here in Des Moines. Can’t hurt
I want pitching starting and relief, I still think Shaw will eventually be more than serviceable
The FO knows more than I do (although sometimes it doesn't feel like it), but I really hope they try him out in a bullpen role down there and bring him back up yet this year in that setting if he does well. He just makes so much more sense to me in a 1-2 inning role than as a starter but I hope he can turn things around
I noticed he squared his body up on a catch and made it directly in front of his face. Hopefully they waited till he got burnt which he did in the wind the other day when it drifted over his back because he was turned to make the catch at his chest.
I'm a bit surprised they are sending him down to DSM vs. first trying him out in bullpen. But Brown had a deer-in-headlights look in the 5th/6th yesterday. Maybe I-Cubs will allow him to get some confidence back.
Plus I'm sure money and options come into play on some of the non-leverage pitchers: Brasier makes $3M and Fulmer just got called up. If Hodge can return to his Cubs closer form, then it's a no-brainer mover over the next month.
Hoping they use him exclusively as a closer in Iowa. His best possible contribution this year is a back of the rotation guy throwing triple digits and a hammer hook. Let next year sort itself out in the off season
Don't see him being a closer this year in Chicago because Palencia and Hodge have had some success in that role. Plus Keller, Pomerantz, Theilbar and Pressley have shown to be solid 7th/8th inning guys.
I just don't think Brown has it between the ears at this point in his career to be a high-leverage reliever. IMO the best Cub fans can hope for this season is Brown works on some things as a starter in DSM in hope of coming back up in case of injury to a Chicago starter or as multi-inning reliever if a current Chicago roster relief arm falters.
Cards don’t hit homers it was said….until Brown pitches….at least Taillon doesn’t give up the long ball….wait
