The Brewers have positioned right-hander Colin Rea on waivers, MLBTR has realized. He’s obtainable for any membership to say. Rea has a $5.5MM membership choice for the upcoming season with a $1MM buyout.
It’s a shocking transfer, given the inexpensive nature of Rea’s choice and the strong work he’s given to them over the previous two seasons. The veteran righty has given Milwaukee 292 1/3 innings of 4.40 ERA ball since 2023, taking the ball 58 occasions and beginning 49 video games. Rea hasn’t been a top-of-the-rotation arm however has been a stabilizing presence amid myriad accidents and appreciable turnover within the Brewers’ rotation. He’d have change into a free agent if Milwaukee declined his buyout, however they’ll as an alternative make a reasonably obvious cost-cutting transfer of waiving him to attempt to save that $1MM buyout within the occasion that one other group claims him.
Any group in want of rotation assist or maybe an inexpensive swingman will now have the chance to say Rea on the $5.5MM worth level of his 2025 choice. If he goes unclaimed, Milwaukee will seemingly pay that $1MM buyout, at which level Rea will change into a free agent who’s in a position to signal with any membership.
On condition that he’s coming off a season that noticed him pitch 167 2/3 innings with a 4.29 ERA, 18.9% strikeout fee and 6% stroll fee, Rea ought to maintain enchantment to golf equipment looking for assist in the back of the rotation — notably lower-payroll golf equipment which have doubts over their skill to purchase a comparable arm in free company. A technique or one other, Rea will possible land on his toes, nevertheless it’s a troublesome tablet to swallow for the righty, as he now has no say over selecting his subsequent vacation spot except he surprisingly goes unclaimed and is subsequently purchased out.
As a reminder, offseason waiver precedence is predicated on the reverse standings from the 2024 season and isn’t league-specific. The White Sox could have first crack at claiming Rea, adopted by the Rockies, Marlins, Angels, A’s, and many others.
