Chicago Cubs take a flier on another relief pitcher

The Chicago Cubs appear to have reached an agreement with right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer, who spent most of the 2023 season in Japan.

Apr 13, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA;  New York Yankees relief pitcher Colten Brewer (54) pitches in
Apr 13, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Colten Brewer (54) pitches in / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs continue to show a willingness to take a flier on pitchers who have yet to establish themselves on the Major League level.

The Cubs have already signed pitchers Thomas Pannone and Edwin Escobar to minor-league deals this off-season and they have seemingly added another lottery ticket to the mix.

Right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer posted on his Instagram that he will be joining the Cubs' organization for the 2024 season. Considering Brewer has only appeared in 4 games since the start of the 2021 season, it's likely that his agreement with the Cubs is a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Brewer's most recent stop at the Major League level was with the New York Yankees this past season. Brewer appeared in 3 games while allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. Walks have plagued each of Brewer's stints at the Major League as he has allowed 54 free passes in 73 career appearances.

Command issues have always been the issue for Brewer and even in 2023, when he had success in a small sample size across seas, he still walked 6 batters in 12.1 innings pitched.

The Cubs remain confident in their ability to find diamonds in the rough. It's a strategy that has worked in recent seasons with the success that Michael Leiter Jr. and Julian Merryweather have had out of the bullpen. For a Cubs team that has yet to address their needs in the bullpen, the front office may have the outside hope that one of Brewer, Pannone, or Escobar turn into a legitimate reliever at the Major League level next season.

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