The Milwaukee Brewers will have some novel faces in their starting rotation in 2025. Colin Rea was untendered earlier this offseason, and other pitchers who at one point emerged as starters for Milwaukee last season have found novel teams during free agency.
Joe Ross, who played 10 games for the Brewers last season, has signed with the club Philadelphia Phillies earlier in winter. Frankie Montas, who played 11 games for Milwaukee after being acquired midseason from the Cincinnati Reds, signed with the New York Mets. Byran Hudson, who both started and left the field, is now with the Chicago White Sox.
To add some depth to the starting rotation, the Brewers added Nestor Cortes by trading two-time All-Star Devin Williams from the New York Yankees. Cortes played in 30 games for the Yankees last season, a feat only accomplished by Freddy Peralta in 2024 in Milwaukee.
In fact, the Brewers needed 17 different starters/openers to get through last season due to injuries to many members of their starting rotation. And now one of the most reliable has joined Craig Counsell on the Chicago Cubs.
Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Colin Rea has signed with the Chicago Cubs
As mentioned, breweries did not participate in the tender Colin Rey after the 2024 season ends. He was second on the team last year with 27 starts. As mentioned above, Peralta led the team with 32. Freshman Tobias Myers had 25. No one else had more than 14.
After parting ways with the league while the league waited to sign its biggest free agent stars, Rea finally found a novel home, and a familiar one at that. He joins his former manager, Craig Counsell, with the Cubs.
Free agent right-hander Colin Rea i #Young they agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million, I’m told.
— Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) January 10, 2025
Rei’s contract is for one year and $5 million. The Cubs themselves have not confirmed the transaction as of this afternoon.
Last year, Rea had his best year in the gigantic leagues, going 12-6 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Over his last two seasons in Milwaukee, he was 18-12 with an ERA of 4.42.
For Rei, signing with Chicago is something of a homecoming. He previously pitched for the Cubs in 2020, when he was 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in nine games (two starts).
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and stay up to date with Wisconsin sports news, click here!
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for a corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your chosen sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has gained a reputation as a company that invites top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.
