The Chicago Cubs are going to prioritize pitching this offseason.
They’ll have a further roster spot to fill with an arm after their roster determination on Monday.
Based on ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have declined their membership possibility on Colin Rea.
Colin Rea Resolution
The Cubs had a $7.5 million membership possibility obtainable to them in Rea’s contract for the 2027 season.
Declining his possibility means they as a substitute pay him a $1 million buyout.
The Cubs evidently felt that they may put that $6.5 million distinction to higher use elsewhere.
That is what Rogers shared when he reported the information:
The Cubs have declined their possibility on pitcher Colin Rea, per a supply. He ranked second in innings pitched for them every of the final 2 years. Stable contributor till they added on the deadline in July, then didn’t see as a lot time on the mound. He’s a free agent now.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 2, 2026
Whereas the Cubs nonetheless have so as to add pitching, they hope that some returns to higher well being in 2027 may also enhance their depth, which in flip would’ve made Rea much less essential to the Cubs going ahead.
Nonetheless, he was about as dependable as they may’ve hoped for over the previous two seasons.
Colin Rea Stats
Rea, 36, got here to the Cubs forward of the 2025 season.
In his first season in Chicago, Rea had an 11-7 file with a 3.95 ERA in 32 appearances (27 begins). He threw 159.1 innings
Then in 2026, Rea went 137.0 innings throughout 34 appearances (19 begins) and put up a 4.34 ERA with an 8-8 file.
Rea isn’t a strikeout pitcher, however he has continued to be efficient at the same time as he has aged.
He’s had an interesting baseball journey that started on the MLB degree together with his 2015 debut with the Padres.
Rea then pitched for the Marlins, had Tommy John surgical procedure, joined the Cubs for 2020, went to the Brewers for 2021, pitched in Japan in 2022, returned for 2 years with the Brewers and now spent the previous two seasons with the Cubs.
He seemingly received’t be signed rapidly on the free agent market — Rea is the kind of participant you get after you miss on a extra notable goal.
However somebody will seemingly find yourself with a reliable veteran pitcher when the mud settles and Rea has himself a brand new staff.
The Cubs, in the meantime, will seemingly goal for larger fish this offseason. Even when they will’t get Tarik Skubal, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Chicago make a play for one more probably the greatest pitchers in the marketplace. Pitching (together with accidents) was the Cubs’ undoing in 2026, they usually’ll attempt to make it possible for doesn’t occur once more.
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