Colin Rea

Chicago Cubs, Starting Pitcher
Age: 35y-8m-4d (Jul 01, 1990)
Exp: 6.057 Years
Country: US
College: Indiana State
Drafted: Round 12 (#383 overall), 2011
Agent(s): Sterling Sports Management, LLC
2026 Payroll Salary

$5,500,000

2026 Cash

$5,500,000

Career Earnings

$12,134,255

2026-2027 Extension (CURRENT)

Colin Rea signed a 1 year, $6,500,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $6,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,500,000. In 2026, Rea will earn a base salary of $5,500,000, while carrying a total salary of $5,500,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $6,500,000
Average Salary:
$6,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
6.057
Year Age YOS Status PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2026 36 6.057 $5,500,000 $6,500,000 2.66% $5,500,000 $5,500,000
2027 36 6.057
Club
 $7,500,000 $6,500,000 - $1,000,000 $6,500,000
2028 37 -
UFA
Year Age Service Status Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2026 36 6.057 $5,500,000 - - $5,500,000 $6,500,000
2027 36 -
Club
 $7,500,000 - - $7,500,000 $6,500,000
2028 37 --
UFA
Year Age Status Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2026 36 $5,500,000 $5,500,000 $5,500,000 $6,500,000 $5,500,000 $3,250,000
2027 36
Club
 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $6,500,000 $1,000,000 $3,250,000 $1,000,000
Contract Notes

  • 2027 Club Option includes a $1M buyout

Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2025-2026 Free Agent

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $5,000,000
Average Salary:
$5,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2027 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
5.057
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2024-2025 Extension

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,500,000
Average Salary:
$4,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
4.057
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2023-2023 Free Agent (Minor League Contract)

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $750,000
Average Salary:
$750,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.085
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2021-2021 Free Agent (Minor League Contract)

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $570,500
Average Salary:
$570,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.085
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2021-2021 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $702,500
Average Salary:
$702,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.085
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2020-2020 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $563,500
Average Salary:
$563,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
2.14
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2018-2018 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $555,600
Average Salary:
$555,600
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
2.055
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2017-2017 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $545,800
Average Salary:
$545,800
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
1.055
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2016-2016 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $510,200
Average Salary:
$510,200
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.055
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2015-2015 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $507,500
Average Salary:
$507,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
Spotrac Premium Tools
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Seasons

6.057 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$12,134,255

Earnings w/ Different Teams

4 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Service Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2015 24
0
Active
$149,754
$149,754
2016 26
0.055
Injured
Retained
Retained
$175,644
$298,316
$8,364
$325,398
$623,714
$632,078
2017 27
1.055
Injured
$545,800
$1,177,878
2018 28
2.055
Reserve / minor-buried
$250,908
$1,428,786
2020 30
2.14
Reserve / minor-buried
$133,945
$1,562,731
2021 31
3.085
Active
$15,108
$1,577,839
2023 32
3.09
Active
$556,416
$2,134,255
2024 34
4.057
Active
Buyout
$4,000,000
$1,000,000
$6,134,255
$7,134,255
2025 35
5.057
Active
Buyout
$4,250,000
$750,000
$11,384,255
$12,134,255
Total      
$12,134,255
$11,384,255
$12,134,255
2026 36
6.057
Active
$5,500,000
2027 36
6.057
Active / Club
$1,000,000
Total
$18,634,255

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
4 $1,420,422 - - $1,420,422
1 $8,364 - - $8,364
2 $5,133,945 - - $5,133,945
3 $5,071,524 - $500,000 $5,571,524
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2015
24
$149,754
$149,754
$149,754
2016
26
$175,644
$298,316
$8,364
$175,644
$298,316
$8,364
$325,398
$623,714
$632,078
2017
27
$545,800
$545,800
$1,177,878
2018
28
$250,908
$250,908
$1,428,786
2020
30
$133,945
$133,945
$1,562,731
2021
31
$15,108
$15,108
$1,577,839
2023
32
$556,416
$556,416
$2,134,255
2024
34
$3,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$4,000,000
$1,000,000
$6,134,255
$7,134,255
2025
35
$4,250,000
$750,000
$4,250,000
$750,000
$11,384,255
$12,134,255
Total
$11,634,255
$500,000
$12,134,255
$11,384,255
$12,134,255
2026
36
$5,500,000
$5,500,000
2027
36
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
Total
$18,134,255
$500,000
$18,634,255

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
4 $1,420,422 - - $1,420,422
1 $8,364 - - $8,364
2 $5,133,945 - - $5,133,945
3 $5,071,524 - $500,000 $5,571,524

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2018 SD Mar 29, 2018 - Jun 21, 2018 Elbow (Tommy John)
2017 SD Apr 02, 2017 - Oct 01, 2017 Elbow
2016 MIA Jul 31, 2016 - Oct 02, 2016 Elbow
  • Nov 06, 2025 Signed a 1 year $6.5 million contract extension with Chicago (CHC)
  • Nov 06, 2025 Chicago (CHC) declined a $6 million club option for 2026
  • Jan 10, 2025 Signed a 1 year $5 million contract with Chicago (CHC)
  • Nov 04, 2024 Milwaukee (MIL) declined a $5.5 million club option for 2025 ($1M buyout)
  • Nov 04, 2024 Released by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Nov 03, 2023 Signed a 1 year $4.5 million contract extension with Milwaukee (MIL), including a club option for 2025
  • Sep 26, 2023 Recalled from the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Sep 20, 2023 Optioned to the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Sep 18, 2023 Recalled from the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Sep 14, 2023 Optioned to the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Sep 02, 2023 Recalled from the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Aug 05, 2023 Optioned to the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • May 20, 2023 Recalled from the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • May 15, 2023 Optioned to the Minors by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Apr 13, 2023 Contract purchased by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Jan 28, 2023 Signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Nov 03, 2021 Released by Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Aug 15, 2021 Signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee (MIL)
  • Jan 05, 2021 Released by Chicago (CHC)
  • Dec 02, 2020 Signed a 1 year $702,500 contract with Chicago (CHC), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 10, 2019 Signed a minor league contract with Chicago (CHC)
  • Nov 26, 2018 Released by San Diego (SD)
  • Feb 24, 2017 Signed a 1 year $545,800 contract with San Diego (SD)
  • Aug 01, 2016 Traded to San Diego (SD) from Miami (MIA) for Luis Castillo
  • Jul 29, 2016 Traded to Miami (MIA) from San Diego (SD) with Andrew Cashner , Tayron Guerrero and $2.275M for Cashner's salary for Jarred Cosart, Carter Capps, Luis Castillo and Josh Naylor
  • Mar 04, 2016 Signed a 1 year $510,200 contract with San Diego (SD)
  • Jun 07, 2011 Drafted by San Diego (SD): Round 12 (#383 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2025 CHC 32 27 155 73 70 44 127 20 11 7 1 159.3 3.95 1.25 0.61
2024 MIL 32 27 169 83 80 43 135 29 12 6 1 167.7 4.29 1.26 1.22
2023 MIL 26 22 110 65 63 38 110 23 6 6 0 124.7 4.55 1.19 0.60
2021 MIL 1 0 7 5 5 0 5 2 0 0 0 6.0 7.50 1.17 -0.10
2020 CHC 9 2 15 9 9 2 10 3 1 1 0 14.0 5.79 1.21 -0.16
2016 SD 21 19 102 63 56 44 80 12 5 5 0 102.7 4.91 1.42 -0.23
2015 SD 7 6 29 16 15 11 26 2 2 2 0 31.7 4.26 1.26 0.00

Calculated Market Value

$7.2M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 1 years, $7,200,514
  • Avg. Salary: $7,200,514
  • MLB Rank: 224
  • SP Rank: 73

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2028
  • Avg. Salary: $6,500,000
  • MLB Rank: 239
  • SP Rank: 78

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Colin Rea to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Michael Lorenzen 1 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 33
Merrill Kelly 2 $18,000,000 $9,000,000 33
Martín Pérez 1 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 33
Jose Quintana 1 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 36
Averages 1 $8,500,000 $6,250,000 33.8

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Rea's current age (35), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
1 $7,428,571 $7,428,571

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Rea statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GS/Yr, IP, K/9, BB/9, ERA, WHIP, FIP, WAR

Player GS/Yr IP K/9 BB/9 ERA WHIP FIP WAR
Michael Lorenzen
2023-2024
 24.50 5.15 6.62 3.45 3.75 1.22 4.68 3.19
Merrill Kelly
2021-2022
 30.00 5.97 7.68 2.54 3.91 1.21 3.88 3.51
Martín Pérez
2023-2024
 23.00 4.46 6.52 3.19 4.49 1.44 4.94 1.25
Jose Quintana
2023-2024
 22.00 5.59 7.14 3.09 3.66 1.28 4.04 3.24
Average 24.88 5.29 6.99 3.07 3.95 1.29 4.39 2.80
Colin Rea
2024-2025
 26.50 5.10 7.14 2.42 4.20 1.27 4.49 0.97
Pct Change 6.51 -3.59 2.15 21.17 -6.33 1.55 -2.28 -65.36
Median Prime % Change -0.37%
Average Prime % Change -5.77%

Calculated Market Value: Colin Rea

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
1 years, $7,200,514 $7,200,514
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