Cubs decline Colin Rea's option and his replacement may already be on the roster

With free agency starting on Monday night, the Chicago Cubs still have chores to complete before then. Among them was making a decison on Colin Rea's option for the 2027 season. Rea re-upped with the Cubs last year on a one-year deal that included a $7.5 million option for 2027. Despite Rea having the second-most innings pitched for the Cubs over the last two seasons, the Cubs have declined his option, making him a free agent.

With the injuries the Cubs faced to their pitching staff over the past two years, Rea became an under-the-radar asset to the staff. Rea, at one point, became a focal point of the rotation, but after the Cubs added Clay Holmes, David Peterson, and Kevin Gausman before the deadline this past summer, he became the odd-man out. Rea was relegated to mop-up duty in the bullpen, and that seemed to be the writing on the wall for his Cubs exit this offseason.

Rea made 34 appearances with the Cubs last year, 19 starts, posting an ERA of 4.34. He stuck out under 18% of the hitters he faced this year, and walked eight percent. Certainly not numbers that stand out, but considering the multiple hats he wore during his time with the Cubs, he was a valuable contributor.

Cubs decline Colin Rea's option but one pitcher could benefit immediately

The Cubs' declining Rea's option is also a matter of accounting. Considering the additions the Cubs are expected to make to the staff this offseason, it doesn't make complete sense to hand over $7 million to Rea. Especially when the Cubs already have Rea's replacement on their roster.

Javier Assad also has a club option for the 2027 season, and it's priced at $3.3 million. It would seem likely that the Cubs decline the offer while still tendering him an offer. Through arbitration, the Cubs maintain their control over Assad through the 2028 season. His arbitration projection for the 2027 season is $2.3 million.

Regardless, Assad is going to be on the Cubs' roster and likely will fill in the role that Rea has occupied over the past two years. He has previously thrived in both the rotation and as a swing-man in the bullpen. Instead of continuing the up-and-down nature that has been Assad's role with the Cubs, and Iowa Cubs, over the past year, it feels like there's a clear path to him having a permanent place on the big-league roster.

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