In a somewhat surprising move, the Cubs released 30-year-old righty Colin Rea, who was set to make just $702,500 this season under the terms of a pre-tender deal that fell well under his projected arbitration salary. Though he wasn’t expected to be a difference-maker by any means, Rea probably slotted in as the Cubs’ fifth starter or one of a broad group that would serve as rotation depth.
So why would the Cubs, a team in dire need of pitching depth and unwilling to pay much for it, jettison a potential starter making less than $1 million?