The 35-year-old starter, who posted a 3.95 ERA in 2025, has been signed to a one-year, $6.5 million extension. The deal includes a club option for 2027, securing a key depth piece for the rotation.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have made a bold first move to shore up their 2026 pitching staff, locking down right-handed pitcher Colin Rea for another year. The deal, which supersedes a previous option, guarantees Rea $6.5 million for the 2026 season.
The extension, negotiated by Rea’s agent Joe Speed, also includes a club option for 2027 that could bring the total value of the deal to $13 million over two years.
The move was confirmed by Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer, who framed it as a foundational step.
“The Cubs have made a bold move by locking down Colin Rea for another year, but let’s be clear: This isn’t about just filling a spot in the rotation,” Hoyer said in a statement. “If Rea can keep delivering like he has, this could be the foundation of a much stronger pitching staff… it’s now or never for their pitching depth.”
Rea’s Consistency Drives the Extension
Rea, 35, was a crucial part of the Cubs’ 2025 rotation. He stepped in after ace Justin Steele was lost to season-ending elbow surgery in April.
Known for his ability to consistently pitch 5-6 innings, Rea delivered a solid 3.95 ERA and ranked second on the team with 159 1/3 innings pitched.
The extension solidifies Rea’s value, which manager Craig Counsell has trusted since their shared time with the Milwaukee Brewers (where Rea pitched in 2023-24 before re-joining the Cubs for 2025).
Cubs’ 2026 Rotation Shaping Up
With Rea secured, the Cubs’ rotation picture is becoming clearer. Cade Horton is expected to be the team’s top starter, and Justin Steele is projected to return from his Tommy John surgery in the first half of the 2026 season.
Rea, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon will compete for spots in the middle and back of the rotation, while Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, and Ben Brown will battle for the remaining roles, with Brown likely moving to a full-time bullpen spot.
Cubs Poised for Bigger Moves
Despite securing Rea, Hoyer’s ambitious goals don’t end here. The front office knows a true No. 2 or No. 3 starter is needed to compete with the contenders in the loaded NL Central.
With a payroll projection of $154 million and over $70 million in space before hitting the luxury tax threshold, the Cubs are in an excellent position to make more moves.
The team’s decision to decline the three-year option for Shota Imanaga (who subsequently opted out, becoming a free agent) signaled a clear desire to aim for different, perhaps stronger, rotation targets. With Justin Turner’s $10 million mutual option also officially declined, the Cubs are nearing the final stages of their initial roster adjustments and are now poised to tackle the top of the free-agent and trade markets.
