The Chicago Cubs declined their $7.5 million club option on pitcher Colin Rea, according to ESPN, making the 35-year-old right-hander a free agent. Rea will receive a $1 million buyout as part of the decision, which ends his second stint with the club.
Rea made 46 starts for the Cubs over the past two seasons, finishing second in innings pitched each year. In 2026, he was 8-8 with a 4.34 ERA in 137 innings before moving to the bullpen after the Cubs acquired starting pitchers Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes at the trade deadline in early August.
What It Means For The Cubs
The decision clears Rea’s $7.5 million salary slot for 2027. Rea joins Gausman, Holmes, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and David Peterson as key free agents from the Cubs’ pitching staff.
Career History
Rea, 35, has a 4.40 ERA over his eight-year career, which included stops with San Diego, Miami and Milwaukee before his second stint with Chicago.
He previously pitched for the Cubs in 2020.
What’s Next
Rea enters free agency as a veteran reliever and spot starter. The Cubs must address depth in the rotation and bullpen in free agency this offseason.
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