"I just mean that we kinda mentally bucket him as this solid, fungible, don't-worry-about-him-he's-just-Colin guy, and then focus on other guys in various discussions. Given how good and valuable Rea was for the Cubs in 2025, stepping in to the rotation for pretty much the whole year - and succeeding - when he was needed, I wondered why I rarely think about him, his role for 2026, and how he might project."
"Best theory I've come up with? Among the 10 pitchers currently slated to theoretically take starts for the Cubs in 2026, Rea stands completely alone as being the only guy who is (1) not a sure-fire lock in the rotation, or (2) optionable to the minors. We talk a lot about the latter group because they're the ones fighting for innings, so to speak, so we want to evaluate and project them closely."
The Cubs added Edward Cabrera and continue pursuing Zac Gallen to bolster the starting rotation. The projected 2026 staff combines high-end names and multiple depth options, creating both upside and distinct risks for each arm. Colin Rea provided substantial value in 2025 by stepping into the rotation for most of the season and performing effectively. Rea occupies a unique roster slot among the ten projected starters: he is neither a guaranteed rotation lock nor optionable to the minors. That status leads to an unconscious assumption that he will simply be available to eat innings in some role without needing to fight for a spot.
Read at Bleacher Nation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]