Facing major questions about the starting rotation, especially in the wake of Shota Imanaga hitting free agency, the Chicago Cubs took a first step toward solidifying the pitching staff on Thursday, ironining out a restructured one-year deal with right-hander Colin Rea.
The new contract, which comes with a $6.5 million guarantee for 2026 and a club option for 2027 - and replaces his prior deal with the team. It essentially boils down to an added $500K for Rea and a potential added year of control for the Cubs, a win-win for both sides.
Rea was a godsend for an injury-plagued Chicago staff this season, throwing more innings than everyone but Matthew Boyd, finishing the year with a 3.