Ben Brown’s Cubs future just took a nosedive after another brutal outing

Ben Brown made his return to the Major League roster on Monday night, and the result was one that Chicago Cubs fans have become all too familiar with. After using Ryan Brasier to pitch the first inning during Monday's loss to the Kansas City Royals, the Cubs turned to Brown with the hope that a bulk appearance could get his career trajectory back on track. That wasn't the case as Brown was tagged for 7 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits in 4 innings of work.

After the game, Craig Counsell's assessment is one he has had before regarding Brown and his struggles at the Major League level this season.

“Ben’s got to execute better,” Counsell told reporters. “It’s as simple as that. It’s largely a two-pitch mix, and there’s obviously the changeup in there. But I think when you’re talking about pitch mixes like that, then your execution has to be at a pretty good level at this level.”

Another Cubs loss has fans wondering what Ben Brown is still doing here

The immediate plan is for Brown to remain stretched out, with the idea that he can be a bulk option out of the bullpen. There's an emphasis on immediate, as Brown's role will likely change by the time the MLB trade deadline passes.

With the Cubs expected to add at least one starting pitcher and a relief pitcher, Brown could find himself back in Triple-A Iowa by August 1. One thing is clear: while the Cubs have maintained that Brown's long-term role with the team could be in the rotation, that idea likely has shifted after Monday night.

Despite his struggles, Brown could be added in a deal the Cubs make at the deadline; however, like the Cubs, Major League teams are likely aware of current limitations in his pitching profile. In other words, Brown does not have the shine to carry the bulk of the weight in a Cubs' offer to a different team at the deadline.

If Brown isn't traded, a permanent move to the bullpen feels like the most likely outcome. Brown has been given every opportunity to prove he can be a starting pitcher in the Major Leagues, and he has wasted each one. The experiment of Brown as anything other than a relief pitcher needs to be over.

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