Colin Rea – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Colin Rea has carved out a spot as a dependable arm in the Chicago Cubs rotation, though it hasn’t been a straight path. At 34, the right-hander is currently pitching under a one-year, $5 million contract with the Cubs he signed in January 2025.

The deal pays him $4.25 million for the 2025 season, with a team option for 2026 at $6 million or a $750,000 buyout.

Rea’s career has thrown him more than a few curveballs. He debuted in 2015 with the Padres, but injuries—including Tommy John surgery—kept him off the mound for stretches.

Now back with the Cubs for a second stint, he’s found solid ground as a starter again. His persistence has paid off, both on the field and in the bank, with his net worth estimated at $2,247,151.

People around the league now know the Iowa native for his durability and steady presence. Recent seasons have seen a bit of a renaissance for Rea, and the Cubs clearly see his value, giving him a much bigger paycheck than before.

Colin Rea’s Early Life and Amateur Career

Colin Rea’s journey to the majors started out in the Midwest, where family, school, and a lot of backyard baseball laid the foundation for his future.

Background and Family

Colin David Rea was born July 1, 1990, in Cascade, Iowa, a tiny town of about 2,000 people. He grew up tossing a ball around with his dad in their backyard, falling for the game young.

That rural Iowa upbringing gave him a work ethic and grit that would stick with him. The Rea family had a good reputation in Cascade, and sports were a big deal in their house.

Colin tried a bunch of sports as a kid, but baseball took over pretty quickly. He just had a knack for it.

High School Years

At Cascade High School, Rea stood out as a multi-sport athlete, but baseball was where he really shined. As a pitcher, he showed off impressive control and a fastball that started turning heads.

His senior year numbers were eye-catching:

• ERA: Under 2.00
• Strikeouts: Over 100
• Honors: All-State selection

He also played other positions when he wasn’t on the mound, showing smarts and versatility. He finished high school in 2008 with both athletic and academic honors.

People still talk about his calm under pressure and relentless work ethic—traits that stuck with him.

Collegiate Baseball Journey

After graduating, Rea started at Northern Iowa University, but the school cut its baseball program. He had to transfer to St. Petersburg College in Florida, which turned out to be a good move for his development as a starting pitcher.

At St. Petersburg, he worked on his pitching mechanics and added more pitches to his arsenal. His velocity ticked up, and he found a reliable breaking ball that would become a go-to weapon.

Scouts started to take notice, especially after a strong sophomore season where he showed both stamina and skill. At 6’5″, he had the kind of size teams look for in a pitcher—tall, with a natural downward angle.

That mix of size, improving skills, and steady progress made Rea a legit MLB draft prospect.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Colin Rea’s professional story runs through several teams—Padres, Marlins, Cubs—and it’s full of twists, injuries, and comebacks. He’s had to fight for his spot, but he’s made it work as a right-handed pitcher in the big leagues.

Draft and Minor League Development

The San Diego Padres picked Rea in the 12th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Indiana State University. He worked his way up through the minors, taking it one level at a time.

He pitched for teams like the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Lake Elsinore Storm, and San Antonio Missions. In 2015, he really broke through, posting a 1.95 ERA over 75 innings at Double-A San Antonio.

That year, the Padres named him their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He kept sharpening his pitches and stayed healthy enough to handle a starter’s workload.

Major League Baseball Debut

Rea made his MLB debut for the Padres on August 11, 2015, facing the Cincinnati Reds. He went five innings, gave up just three runs, and struck out four.

He showed some promise as a rookie, starting six games and ending up with a 4.26 ERA. The Padres put him in their rotation for the 2016 season.

Early that year, Rea became a steady arm in San Diego’s rotation. He could eat innings and keep his team in games, but things changed fast.

Notable Trades and Team Transfers

In July 2016, the Padres traded Rea to the Miami Marlins as part of a seven-player deal. But the story got weird.

He pitched just 3.1 innings in his Marlins debut before leaving with an elbow injury. When doctors found a pre-existing problem, the trade was partially reversed—Rea went back to the Padres, and soon after, he had Tommy John surgery.

After his recovery, Rea signed with the Cubs organization in 2019. He spent some time rebuilding in the Mexican League, then made it back to MLB with the Cubs in 2020. That determination paid off when he landed a $5 million contract with Chicago for the 2025 season.

Contract History and Notable Deals

Colin Rea’s contract history tracks his ups and downs in pro baseball. He started with minor league deals, then worked his way up to multi-million dollar MLB contracts as his value grew.

Initial Professional Contracts

The Padres drafted Rea in 2011, and his first minor league contract paid the usual low wages. He had to grind it out in the farm system.

He got his first real jump in pay when he debuted with the Padres in 2015, moving up to the MLB minimum salary. Those early contracts were typical for a mid-round pick climbing the ladder.

Significant Trades and Transactions

In 2016, Rea joined the Marlins in a notable trade, but his elbow injury threw everything off. The trade was partially reversed, and he ended up back with the Padres.

Tommy John surgery sidelined him and hurt his earning potential. After he recovered, he joined the Cubs organization in 2019, but not right away at the big league level.

He later signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, and after proving himself again, he returned to MLB action in 2023. That comeback set him up for better contracts.

Recent Contract Details

Rea’s persistence finally started to pay off. In 2023, he earned about $750,000 with Milwaukee and became a key part of their rotation.

His performance earned him a raise for 2024, when he signed a $4.5 million contract with the Brewers, including a club option for 2025 at $5.5 million or a $1 million buyout.

His biggest deal yet came with the Cubs: a one-year, $5 million guaranteed contract. The deal gives him $4.25 million for 2025, with a $6 million club option (or $750,000 buyout) for 2026.

That contract shows how much the starting pitching market has grown. Elite pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, and Max Fried are getting even bigger deals.

Net Worth, Earnings, and Endorsements

Colin Rea has built most of his net worth through MLB contracts, with a few endorsement deals on the side. His financial story is one of slow, steady growth after bouncing back from setbacks.

Career Earnings Breakdown

Rea’s MLB earnings have jumped in recent seasons. Early on, his stints with the Padres and Cubs brought in modest paychecks, but his comeback changed things. After returning to MLB, he signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Brewers for 2024.

Then, in January 2025, his market value climbed again when he signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Cubs. That includes $4.25 million for 2025 and a team option for 2026 at $6 million or a $750,000 buyout.

Here’s a quick look at his recent earnings:

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Rea doesn’t have the big-name endorsements of MLB superstars, but he has a few deals with baseball equipment brands for gloves and cleats. Those details aren’t public, though.

He’s also done some local promo work in Milwaukee and Chicago—community events, maybe a TV spot or two. Nothing flashy, but it adds up.

With his return to the Cubs, he could see more sponsorships in Chicago, where fans really get behind their players.

Estimated Net Worth Analysis

Financial analysts peg Colin Rea’s net worth at around $2.25 million. That number factors in his career earnings, minus the usual expenses, investments, and taxes pro athletes deal with.

Rea’s path has been more about steady gains than sudden windfalls. Time off the MLB grid and a few detours in the minors have kept his net worth lower than some pitchers who never missed a beat.

Some experts think his value could rise if he delivers for the Cubs this season. With a team option in his contract, he’s got both a safety net and the chance for a bigger payday.

Yahoo sports finance folks guess his portfolio probably includes the basics for MLB players: some real estate, investments, and retirement plans.

Personal Life, Health, and Privacy Topics

Colin Rea keeps his personal life pretty private, even as his baseball career puts him in the public eye. Staying healthy has been a big part of his longevity, and he seems to value keeping some things out of the spotlight.

Family and Off-Field Interests

Colin Rea doesn’t really put his family life in the spotlight, at least not like some other MLB players do. The Cubs pitcher seems pretty family-oriented, but he rarely talks about them when reporters ask.

Off the field, Rea likes to get outdoors. He’s mentioned fishing as a favorite hobby, though you’ll only hear about it in the occasional, more personal interview.

Growing up in Iowa clearly shaped his laid-back, grounded personality—teammates have mentioned it more than once.

He’s shown up at community events in places like Milwaukee and Chicago, but you won’t catch him making a big deal out of it. During the off-season, he’d rather keep things quiet and focus on recharging for the next year.

Injuries and Health Management

Injuries have really shaped Rea’s career. Back in 2016, he had Tommy John surgery, which meant he missed all of 2017—a tough break right when things were getting serious for him.

After coming back, Rea took health management seriously. He sticks to a specific training plan to keep his elbow healthy and make sure his pitching stays sharp.

Lately, while playing for the Brewers and Cubs, he’s managed to stay mostly healthy. That’s played a big part in his stronger performance and the $5 million contract he landed with Chicago.

Honestly, the way he’s bounced back from those setbacks says a lot about his determination. Not every player can do that.

Data Privacy in Sports

Like a lot of MLB players, Rea deals with constant tracking through advanced analytics. These days, baseball teams collect all sorts of data on every pitch—velocity, spin rate, movement—you name it.

Teams put a lot of effort into protecting this treasure trove of information. After all, it can tip the scales in their favor if it falls into the wrong hands.

Biometric data? That’s even more sensitive. It includes personal health details, so teams really need to handle it with care and respect privacy.

MLB set up some guidelines for collecting and using player data. No one really knows how Rea personally feels about all the analytics tracking, though.

The league keeps trying to find a balance between tracking performance and respecting player privacy as tech keeps moving forward.

Most teams now use authentication systems to lock down player info. They want to make sure only the right people can see sensitive data about players like Rea.

That way, personal stats and performance numbers stay inside the organization, where they belong.