Ben Brown Could Win the Cubs’ Final Rotation Spot
The Chicago Cubs are still figuring out who will take the last spot in their starting rotation after their season opener in Tokyo. While there have been rumors about the team negotiating with Lance Lynn or considering a trade for Dylan Cease, recent reports suggest that Ben Brown might have a better chance than expected.
Locked-In Starters
The Cubs already have four guaranteed starters:
Justin Steele
Shota Imanaga
Jameson Taillon
Matthew Boyd
These four are set, as long as they stay healthy.
The Battle for the Fifth Spot
At the start of spring training, **Javier Assad** and **Colin Rea** were the favorites for the final rotation spot:
Javier Assad has had success as a starter in his first two MLB seasons.
Colin Rea was signed this offseason and seemed like a safe choice.
Other pitchers were in the mix, but most had minor league options available, making Assad and Rea the frontrunners.
However, things have changed:
Assad suffered a mild oblique strain, delaying his season start.
Rea has always been seen as a potential swingman, meaning he could pitch in different roles instead of being a full-time starter.
With these developments, the competition for the fifth spot is now more open.
Ben Brown’s Strong Case
Several pitchers are still in the running, including Jordan Wicks and some non-roster invitees, but Ben Brown has the most upside.
According to Jeff Passan, the Cubs are seriously considering Brown for the rotation. He explains:
Brown is a **hard-throwing right-hander** with a **high-90s fastball and a powerful curveball.
He stands **6-foot-6**, making him an imposing presence on the mound.
While his pitching style might be more suited for the bullpen, his talent makes him worth testing as a starter first.
The Cubs could take the safe route with Rea, who pitched 167 solid innings last year, but Brown offers a higher ceiling. Instead of moving him to the bullpen too quickly, the team might give him a real chance to prove himself as a front-line starter.
With the season approaching, the battle for the fifth spot is still undecided, but Ben Brown might be the one to watch.
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