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       #Post#: 508460--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: Reb Date: March 6, 2025, 8:55 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Cubs used 33 different pitchers in 2024 (26 in 2023 and 39 in
       2022).
       Every pitcher of consequence will get an opportunity in 2025.
       I would start season with Ben Brown at Iowa as a SP. He will be
       in majors with Cubs before too long.
       And not eager to dump Tyson Miller before season even starts. If
       he sucks in April and need his spot, that’s different. In
       meantime, keep as many guys with a track record as possible.
       Because stuff happens.
       #Post#: 508461--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: davep Date: March 6, 2025, 9:37 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Another home run by Workman.  The Cubs would be stupid to lose
       him at this point.
       #Post#: 508463--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: guest424 Date: March 6, 2025, 10:04 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       100% agree.
       #Post#: 508468--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: Deeg Date: March 6, 2025, 10:37 pm
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       The Cubs have some tough decisions to make, no question. We
       shouldn't get carried away with Workman's numbers, as the Cactus
       League is fat with bad pitching (that HR today was off a total
       meatball) and thin, dry air. He's never been to AAA and took two
       years to be decent at AA. But the talent is obvious on both
       sides of the ball and it would be hard to just give him back.
       But at whose expense do you keep him, and gamble that he can be
       even minimally useful for an entire season?
       As for Miller, it boils down to the same thing - who do you lose
       by keeping him? Hard to imagine a scenario where they can keep
       Miller without letting Merrywether (and that ain't happening) or
       Keller go.
       #Post#: 508469--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: Reb Date: March 6, 2025, 10:48 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=Deeg link=topic=653.msg508468#msg508468
       date=1741322226]
       As for Miller, it boils down to the same thing - who do you lose
       by keeping him? Hard to imagine a scenario where they can keep
       Miller without letting Merrywether (and that ain't happening) or
       Keller go.
       [/quote]
       Can option either Brown or Morgan.
       Or, still plenty of time for somebody to end up on the IL before
       opening day. Would be very lucky for all the bullpen guys who
       started spring training healthy to stay healthy until opening
       day.
       #Post#: 508470--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: craig Date: March 6, 2025, 11:08 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       reb, I don't think Morgan.  I think to keep Miller, it would be
       Keller or Brown.
       Workman, at expense of Brujan.
       Brujan has had a nice camp I realize.  But I'm not sure losing
       him would be that big a loss.  Or that cutting him would even
       lose him?  He's been in the majors for four previous seasons,
       and is a career .189 hitter with .261 OBP and .270 slug.
       Breakout year last year hit .622 OPS.  Are the other 29 teams
       itching to claim him?  And if they do, will you miss him?
       No-bat utility players come and go, you can always find them.
       Call up Nicky Lopez if you want that.  Or perhaps by the time
       you need a callup, perhaps Cowles or Triantos is fine; or go and
       reaquire Mastrobuoni.
       #Post#: 508471--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: Deeg Date: March 6, 2025, 11:17 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Brujan's status as a former top prospect would probably lead
       some dumpster-diving organization to take a flyer on him like we
       did.
       #Post#: 508472--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: Reb Date: March 6, 2025, 11:43 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Yeah, lots of guys around the majors similar to Brujan. But,
       most clubs need a guy like him on the 26.
       Brujan does not have the service time to decline an outright
       assignment. So, Cubs may try to get him thru waivers and to Iowa
       when Shaw goes on the 40-man for the Japan series.
       If Brujan is claimed, Cubs still have Nicky Lopez. But, Lopez
       possibly may have an opening day opt-out. Don’t think Cubs want
       to lose both Brujan and Lopez.
       Workman looks very good right now but can he fill one of only
       three bench spots the entire season?
       Once you figure Suzuki at DH and Kelly at backup catcher, you
       only have three bench spots.
       Workman was not much of a prospect before 2024. Never in Tigers
       Top 30 prospects. Already had over 700 PAs at AA before his nice
       2024 season at AA.  Kind of wary of a guy putting up numbers
       repeating same level with that many previous PAs there. Then,
       Tigers exposed him to the Rule 5.
       Workman really should be at AAA to start 2025. Can he produce as
       one of only three bench guys in May, June, July, etc?  Asking a
       lot based on a good showing in spring training games, seems to
       me. Maybe he can do it.
       #Post#: 508473--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: guest424 Date: March 6, 2025, 11:51 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Brujan is a scrub.
       #Post#: 508474--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Today’s Game - 2025
       By: Reb Date: March 6, 2025, 11:55 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=craig link=topic=653.msg508470#msg508470
       date=1741324132]
       reb, I don't think Morgan.  I think to keep Miller, it would be
       Keller or Brown.
       .
       [/quote]
       Yeah, think the options move is Brown, assuming no injuries that
       open up a spot.
       Mentioned Morgan only because he has an option remaining. But
       he’s a veteran quality reliever and shouldn’t be at AAA unless
       he pitches himself there with poor performance.
       Would not be a surprise at all if Brown ends up as one of Cubs
       very best pitchers this year in a key role. But not a big deal
       to open up with him starting at Iowa for a time. There’s going
       to be injuries and some unexpected poor performance(s) and
       almost guaranteed that Brown, if healthy, will get a shot before
       too long.
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