The Milwaukee Brewers have made their first move of the 2023-2024 free agency period. Remaining with the Brew Crew is right-handed pitcher Colin Rea. His new deal is worth $3.50 MM in 2024 and there is a $5.50 MM club option for 2025 with a $1.00 MM buyout. During both 2024 and 2025 there are additional incentives included.
In this article we will take a look at two interesting pieces of information regarding the re-signing of Colin Rea.
Two nuggets of information regarding the Milwaukee Brewers re-signing Colin Rea.
One interesting piece of information goes back to how Colin Rea became a free agent in the first place. He re-joined the Brewers organization last year after spending a season overseas. This is important because he has less than six years of MLB service time and technically should be under team control via arbitration. Fortunately for Colin Rea there was some language in his 2023 contract, that is typical for players who sign from overseas, that allowed him to elect free agency. As a result he now has received a nice payday.
A second thing to know is that Colin Rea is out of minor league options. He was shuttled to the minor leagues by the Brewers on three different occasions during the 2023 season. In 2024 Milwaukee will not have that luxury and should the Brewers want to demote him to the minor leagues he will have to be removed from the 40-man roster and exposed to waivers.
Right now Colin Rea joins Freddy Peralta as the only lock in the starting rotation for 2024. Corbin Burnes is a trade candidate this off-season, Brandon Woodruff is recovery from shoulder surgery and there is uncertainty as to if he will pitch next year, Wade Miley has a pending $10 MM option, Adrian Houser has a high projected arbitration salary, and Eric Lauer was designated for assignment in October.
This contract signifies that Milwaukee is currently planning on having Colin Rea factor heavily into their 2024 plans. He made 22 starts for the Brewers a season ago, had a 4.55 ERA, and he finished third on the teams in innings pitched.
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