Colin Rea's versatility proves indispensable. From bullpen saves to filling rotation gaps, he consistently delivers vital innings for the Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs had a decision to make regarding Colin Rea this past offseason. They had to decide whether to pick up his $6 million option or let him walk.
Not only did the Cubs agree to bring Rea back, but they agreed to an extension with the right-hander to potentially keep him in Chicago through the 2027 season. The two sides agreed to a new one-year deal with a $7.5 million club option for next year.
There’s a reason why the North Siders agreed to a restructured deal with Rea in early November. He was extremely valuable to the team across his 159 ⅓ innings pitched last year, and his consistency on the mound helped Chicago throughout that campaign.
That consistency has continued for Rea in the early portion of the 2026 season, as the 35-year-old veteran has arguably been the Cubs’ most important pitcher to start the year.
Rea began the season in the bullpen and delivered in his first two relief appearances. He logged a three-inning save against the Angels on March 30 and then saved the bullpen by throwing 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball on April 3, when Cade Horton left the game due to an injury in the second inning.
After those two relief appearances, Rea eventually found himself a part of the Cubs’ rotation once again. With Horton (torn UCL) and Matthew Boyd (left bicep strain) both landing on the 15-day injured list, the team needed his services as a starter again.
To no surprise, Rea continues to deliver.
He threw five innings of one-run ball with two strikeouts against the Rays last Wednesday and threw six innings of three-run ball with five strikeouts as a bulk reliever in Tuesday night's win over the Phillies.
Outside of one bad pitch to Edmundo Sosa that went for a three-run homer, Rea was flawless on the mound on Tuesday. He totaled 22 called strikes + whiffs, didn’t allow much hard contact, and pitched through the seventh inning to save a taxed bullpen.
It really hasn’t mattered what role Rea has been given; he continues to answer the call. He has logged a three-inning save, had to replace an injured pitcher early in the game, earned a win as a traditional starter, and earned another win as a bulk reliever.
There aren’t as many pitchers as valuable on this Cubs team right now as Rea. The veteran has done everything the team has asked of him and more. He thrived as a long reliever to begin the year and is now giving Chicago meaningful innings as a starter.
His teammates are definitely taking notice of his contributions.
“He just has such a good heartbeat for the game,” Nico Hoerner said after Tuesday’s win. “He’s just a guy who can handle any role… He was huge for us today.”
Rea has no doubt been fantastic for the Cubs in his multiple roles this season. He is really becoming a glue guy and an underrated part of this team. The right-hander has a 3.92 ERA dating back to the start of last year.
Rea has just been so valuable for the Cubs on so many different levels. While he won’t dazzle with high strikeout numbers or elite swing-and-miss stuff, he does his role and gets the job done.