This Cubs player enters 2026 spring training knowing it might be his final shot

Chicago Cubs spring training is less than two weeks away, and for the most part, the Opening Day roster is set. There likely will be a competition for the final spot in the bullpen, and that could highlight one pitcher who is entering a decisive season. The Cubs remain sold on Ben Brown's ability to miss bats, but his struggles with consistency as a starting pitcher have raised questions over his role moving forward.

It's important to note that Brown is a pre-arbitration player, and with Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and Shota Imanaga all free agents next offseason, he's likely not in jeopardy of losing his 40-man roster spot, but by the end of the season, the hope is that the Cubs have identified the best way to deploy the 26-year-old pitcher.

After failing to stick in the rotation last season, Brown was largely used as an up-and-down arm for the Cubs. He totaled over 106 innings pitched, but posted an ERA of 5.92. The primary reasons why the Cubs want to continue to give Brown an opportunity to figure things out is that he struck out over 25% of the hitters he faced.

Figuring out what to do with Ben Brown should be one of the Cubs' biggest goals in 2026.

The primary reason why the Cubs are approaching decision time with Brown is that he only has one minor-league option remaining. The next time he is optioned to the minors would be the final time the Cubs can do so before having to take the chance of him passing through waivers.

For that reason, while Brown will likely be in the mix for the final spot in the bullpen to open the season, it may make more sense for the Cubs to keep him stretched out with Triple-A Iowa to open the season.

If Brown is going to be an effective starting pitcher at the major league level, he will need to develop a third pitch. Brown's curveball is his put-out pitch, but with his fastball being the only other effective pitch of his offering, hitters have learned to lay off the breaking pitch. They are sitting on his fastball and aren't missing when they identify it.

One idea that the Cubs could experiment with more in 2026 is deploying Brown out of the bullpen. Either as a high-leverage option or someone who could provide a short burst while missing bats, that could be the path to the former pitching prospect finding value on the team's roster.