32 articles
CHC • Pitcher • #53
12 days ago
Rea is guaranteed $6.5 million and will make $13 million if the option is exercised. Much like last season, Rea will probably go into the spring penciled in as a middle reliever. However, he wound up making 27 starts and just five relief appearances in 2025, amassing a 3.95 ERA in the process.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
12 days ago
The Cubs had a $6 million option to keep Rea for 2026, but the new deal will guarantee him $6.5 million and will be worth $13 million if the Cubs end up exercising the option for 2027. Rea, 35, went 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA in 27 starts and five relief appearances for the Cubs last season.
Source: Steve Adams
CHC • Pitcher • #53
about 1 month ago
Rea got the call over Shota Imanaga, which was something the Cubs kind of signaled by going with the lefty opener in Drew Pomeranz; it wouldn’t have made much sense to follow a left-hander with another southpaw. Rea pitched scoreless second and third innings before giving up a homer to Andrew Vaughn with two outs in the fourth. He stayed in after that and gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases, but Daniel Palencia bailed him out at that point.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
about 2 months ago
Rea allowed just two hits and struck out seven in one of his best showing in another quietly fine season; he ends up 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA and a 127/33 K/BB in 159 1/3 innings. As in 2024 when he was with the Brewers, his team is postseason bound, though he didn’t get to pitch last October. We’re guessing he’ll be on the Wild Card roster as a middle reliever, but it’s not assured, especially if the Cubs carry only 12 pitchers.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
2 months ago
The 35-year-old right-hander scattered four hits on the evening and didn’t walk a batter. The lone tally against him came on an RBI double off the bat of Will Benson in the fourth inning. Aside from that, Rea was nearly perfect. He racked up 19 swings and misses on 93 pitches on the night, posting an elite CSW of 41 percent. Rea will look to finish the regular season strong as he brings a 4.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 120/43 K/BB ratio (153 2/3 innings) into Thursday’s matchup against the Mets.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
2 months ago
Operating as a traditional starter, Rea carried a shutout into the fifth inning before coughing up a triple to Rays rookie Bob Seymour, who crossed the plate on a ground out later in the frame. He was saddled with a no-decision after Tampa Bay scratched two additional runs across the plate in the ensuing frame. He struck out five and didn’t hand out a free pass. He’ll take the ball on Thursday in a tough road matchup against the Reds at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
2 months ago
Rea took over after Drew Pomeranz pitched a scoreless first and stayed in through the seventh before leaving with a 2-1 lead. The Nats came back in the ninth, so Rea didn’t get the win he deserved today. He’s a viable option in mixed leagues in a start against the Rays next weekend.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
3 months ago
Rea wasn’t effective, but neither was Spencer Strider, so it’s a relatively-deserved no-decision. The 35-year-old has scuffled over his last four outings, and his ERA had bumped up to 4.30 from the 3.96 it sat at three starts ago. Not a huge surprise, honestly. He’ll try and get back on track Sunday against the Nationals.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
3 months ago
Rea wasn’t the only pitcher for the Cubs who struggled — Chicago gave up a dozen runs in this contest — but he was a key culprit to the nine-run loss. He allowed eight hits, two walks and a homer in a start where he didn’t fool the San Francisco hitters whatsoever. Rea now has a 4.23 ERA on the season, and will try and get back on track versus Atlanta on Monday.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
3 months ago
Rea avenged a July 29 loss to the team that let him go after last season. He actually walked five in the contest, but he allowed just three hits. He’s 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in four starts this month and 10-5 with a 3.96 ERA overall. He should face the Giants on the road next week.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
3 months ago
The 35-year-old right-hander piled up five strikeouts on the afternoon while issuing only one free pass. The lone tally against him came on an RBI double off the bat of Andrew McCutchen in the fourth inning. Rea generated 13 swings and misses on 87 pitches on the day, registering a CSW of 29 percent. With Jameson Taillon set to rejoin the rotation next week, it’s possible that Rea could be forced out of a starting gig unless they want to go to a six-man rotation. He’s scheduled to get the ball next on Wednesday against the Brewers.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
3 months ago
Rea struck out six and walked two while posting a 17 percent whiff rate and 27 percent CSW. It wasn’t a dominant performance, but he kept the Cardinals off the barrel all night and got plenty of chases on the fringe of the strike zone. He’ll take a 4.09 ERA into a tough start against the Blue Jays next week. We’d avoid using him in most fantasy leagues.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
4 months ago
Rea gave up five hits, walked one and struck out four. The 35-year-old right-hander has allowed two runs or less in five of his last seven starts. Rea has a 4.23 ERA and 79/29 K/BB ratio in 110 2/3 innings. He’s lined up to face the Cardinals on the road next weekend.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
4 months ago
Rea walked one batter and struck out a pair against his former ballclub. The Brewers scratched out single runs in the second and third innings on sacrifice flies against the 35-year-old hurler. Rea then allowed a leadoff triple to Jackson Chourio and an RBI double to William Contreras to open the fifth inning before turning the ball over to the bullpen. He got just four whiffs on 82 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 26 percent. He’ll look to get back on track as he carries a 4.25 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 75/28 K/BB ratio (106 innings) into Monday’s matchup against the Reds.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
4 months ago
Rea gave up three homers with the wind blowing out at Wrigley, though Vinnie Pasquantino’s two didn’t really need the assistance. It’s the third time this year that Rea has given up at least three homers. He’s 8-4 with a 4.06 ERA overall, but he’s not someone the Cubs are going to want to start a postseason game, and he might yet finish the season in the pen. He’s due to face his previous club, the Brewers, next time out.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
4 months ago
Rea punched out five batters on the day while also issuing four walks. The lone blemish on his day came on an RBI double off the bat of Roman Anthony in the third inning. The 35-year-old right-hander generated 11 whiffs on 84 pitches in the ballgame, posting a CSW of 27 percent. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling as he brings an 8-3 record, 3.80 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 70/27 K/BB ratio (97 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Royals.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
4 months ago
Any team could have had Rea at a reasonable $5.5 million when he was on waivers in November, but no one jumped, and the Cubs eventually signed him for $5 million. He’s since put together a nice first half at 7-3 with a 3.91 ERA. His peripherals have never been great, but he’s allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his 15 starts.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
5 months ago
As the Cubs lineup knocked in seven runs with six homers over the first three innings of this game, Rea retired the first nine batters he faced. Literally the only blemish on his line was a solo home run by Brendan Donovan to start the fourth inning. Otherwise, he artfully worked the edges of the zone with his fastball and sinker to force plenty of soft contact. He’s lined up to face the Twins next week in his last start before the All-Star break.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
5 months ago
Rea didn’t have to be great with the Cubs providing a couple of touchdowns worth of run support, and to be fair, he wasn’t. He was certainly good enough, however, and better than his seven-run start against the Mariners last weekend. The effort lowers his ERA to 4.37 on the season, and it’s probably fair to say this is a spot that Chicago will be looking to upgrade on over the coming weeks. Until then, Rea will remain a starter with a scheduled bout against the Cardinals coming Friday.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
5 months ago
Rea gave up 11 hits, walked one and struck out two. The 34-year-old right-hander allowed three runs in the first two innings before settling into the game. It wasn’t one of those starts where the pitcher just has nothing from the first inning, but when Rea was removed in the sixth inning the Mariners had put seven runs on the board. Seattle wasn’t finished as they piled on for a total of 14 runs on the day. Rea’s ERA is up to 4.42 on the year. He’s lined up to face the Astros on the road next weekend.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
5 months ago
The 34-year-old right-hander walked one batter while striking out four on the afternoon. All of the damage done against him came in the opening inning as Spencer Horwitz smacked an RBI single and Alexander Canario plated a run with a ground out. Rea settled in nicely afterwards though and finished his day with five scoreless frames. Rea got nine whiffs on 81 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of 25 percent. He’ll carry a 3.84 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 52/18 K/BB ratio (68 innings) into Saturday’s matchup against the Mariners.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
5 months ago
Rea fanned five and walked none. The big blow against him was a two-run homer from Max Kepler that would have been out of only seven ballparks. He’s now given up 16 runs over 19 1/3 innings in his last four outings, so his standing in the rotation could be a little wobbly. Still, he should have a nice opportunity to bounce Sunday against the Pirates.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
6 months ago
Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Rea didn’t record a single strikeout in the otherwise terrific outing. The biggest threat against him came as the Nationals put runners on the corners with two outs in the third inning, but he got James Wood to fly out to left field to end the threat. Rea got just six whiffs on 80 pitches on the night, posting an underwhelming CSW of 21 percent. Now 4-2 on the season, he’ll carry a respectable 3.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 43/17 K/BB ratio (57 2/3 innings) into a tough matchup against the Phillies in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
6 months ago
Rea induced only five missed swings while giving up 10 hits today. He had pretty much the same start six days ago in Cincinnati, also giving up six runs (but only two homers) in five innings. He was terrific in seven prior starts, posting a 2.72 ERA, but those who picked him up in mixed leagues ought to move on now. He’ll face the Nationals next.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
6 months ago
Rea served up a two-run homer to Elly De La Cruz in the first inning. A double, walk, and sacrifice fly brought a third run in to score for the Reds in the fourth. Rea run into more trouble in the fifth as the Reds brought three more runs in on four hits before his day was done. He struck out eight. The 34-year-old right-hander will take a 3.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 40/14 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings into a rematch against the Reds in Chicago on Friday.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
6 months ago
It was a 1-1 game when Rea departed, so he was left with a no-decision today. The Cubs, though, did prevail to improve to 6-1 in his starts. Rea has a 2.38 ERA through 41 2/3 innings, but he’s not an ideal mixed-league option with a start in Cincinnati next up.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
7 months ago
Rea also issued a pair of walks in the ballgame while striking out four. The Giants scratched out a pair of runs against him in the second inning, then the big blow came on a two-run blast off the bat of Jung Hoo lee in the third. The 34-year-old right-hander got eight whiffs on 92 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 26 percent. He’ll look to bounce back from his worst outing of the season when he brings a 2.45 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 25/7 K/BB ratio (29 1/3 innings) into Monday’s matchup against the Marlins.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
7 months ago
Rea struck out just two and only generated four swings and misses over his 73 pitches, but still was able to hold the Pittsburgh offense in check. He allowed a solo homer to Bryan Reynolds in the first and an RBI single to Oneil Cruz two innings later, but then blanked Pittsburgh over the final three frames. Rea has been excellent in 2025 with a 1.46 ERA, and while it’s entirely unsustainable, the results are the results. There’s still risk in using him as a fantasy option against the Giants next week.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
7 months ago
Any team could have picked up Rea and his $5.5 million club option after he was waived by the Brewers in November, but they all passed. The Cubs signed him for $5 million in January, and he’s since come through with a 0.96 ERA in three starts and three relief appearances. He’ll be in the rotation for the foreseeable future, and while he’s definitely not an every-week guy in mixed leagues, he’ll make sense as a streaming option in a road start against the Pirates next time out.
CHC • Pitcher • #53
7 months ago
Rea, still getting stretched back out after opening up as a reliever, fanned five in the 69-pitch outing. The Cubs have Monday and Thursday off next week, and they might have Javier Assad ready to return by the time they would need a fifth starter again. However, there’s also the possibility they could also keep Rea in the rotation and send Ben Brown to the pen or the minors to make room for Assad.