The Chicago Cubs have declined a $7.5 million contract option on pitcher Colin Rea for the upcoming season, sources confirmed. Rea, 35, made 46 starts over the past two years, splitting time between the bullpen and rotation. He finished second in innings pitched each season with the club.
Last year, he posted an 8-8 record with a 4.34 ERA over 137 innings. Rea pitched out of the pen after the Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes at the August trade deadline. Over an eight-year career with stops in San Diego, Miami and Milwaukee, Rea holds a 4.40 ERA.
This was his second stint with Chicago, after pitching for them in 2020. Rea joins other key free agents from last season's pitching staff, including Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and David Peterson. He receives a $1 million buyout as part of his deal.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing