Chicago Cubs decline option on veteran pitcher

Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs decline option on veteran pitcher

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paul Magno | Last updated Nov 2, 2026 12:44 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs have started the push to rebuild their pitching staff by cutting ties with one of their most useful utility arms of the last two seasons.

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the Cubs have declined their option on veteran right-hander Colin Rea. The team held a $7.5 million team option on the 36-year-old for the 2027 season. There was debate as to whether they would choose to exercise it, given the club’s desperate need for rotation arms. Instead, the team will pay Rea the $1 million buyout owed him and move on.

Per Rogers:

“The Cubs have declined their option on pitcher Colin Rea, per a source. He ranked second in innings pitched for them each of the last 2 years. Solid contributor until they added at the deadline in July, then didn’t see as much time on the mound. He’s a free agent now.”

Moving on from Colin Rea

MLB: Texas Rangers at Chicago Cubs MLB: Texas Rangers at Chicago Cubs Apr 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea (53) delivers during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The move can—and will—be questioned ahead of a 2027 season where, at the moment, not a single starting rotation spot has been locked in.

Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman, and David Peterson—their entire end-of-season rotation—is heading off into free agency, unlikely to be brought back. Cade Horton will miss most—if not all—of 2027 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, the contributions of Justin Steele, Ben Brown, and Edward Cabrera are in question due to injury and/or inconsistency issues.

Rea was an unsung hero in 2025, his first season with the Cubs, as he stepped into a starter’s role out of injury-related necessity and delivered solid outings throughout the season. He finished that year with a, 11-7 record and a 3.95 ERA over 159.1 innings—143.1 of them as a starter. It was enough to earn him a second contract with the team.

He had a rougher go of things in 2026, but still managed 19 starts, with a 4.34 ERA over the course of 34 games and 137 innings.

As a still-respected swingman, Rea shouldn’t find a hard time getting another contract.

Some felt that the Cubs’ $7.5 million option for the coming season was a solid deal for someone like Rea with a proven record of consistent performance who could slide into a fifth starter role in a pinch. Chicago obviously didn’t feel that way.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: