Should The Brewers Extend Colin Rea?

[Harold Hutchison]

He has posted 17 wins since Opening Day 2023 as part of the Brewers’ rotation. He was in one sense, a two-time scrap-heap pickup by the Brewers who now has emerged as arguably the team’s most reliable starter. He doesn’t overpower hitters, yet he is arguably the one member of the Brewers rotation who should get an extension ASAP.

That’s the odyssey of Colin Rea. He’s gone from a solid back-end-of-the-rotation pitcher to a solid #3 pitcher, as has been detailed here on multiple occasions. He’s even become dominating going seven innings without allowing an earned run against the Guardians on August 18 and against the Braves on August 6. There is more good news: The Brewers have a $5.5 million option for 2025 – which the Brewers are going to exercise. But what about the years beyond?

Rea will be in his age 35 season in 2026. That’s getting up there age-wise, but over the last two years, he’s arguably found a new gear, and as the 2024 season has proven, the Brewers can’t have enough insurance for the rotation. Over the last two years, Brandon Woodruff, Aaron Ashby, Wade Miley, Joe Ross, DL Hall, and Robert Gasser all are projected rotation mainstays who have instead spent significant time on the injured list.

At worst, Rea is depth, but his latest run puts him more in the category of rotation mainstay when he is at his best.

The Case Against An Extension

Rea’s age leaves open the question of how long he can keep pitching well, as opposed to becoming a back-end inning-eating option. He’ll be heading into his age 35 year when he is up for free agency, so any extension carries the risk that the wheels may come off due to performance (see the Randy Wolf, Kyle Lohse, and Matt Garza contracts). That is a factor weighing against handing Rea a multi-year extension.

The other major factor weighing against extending Rea really is not so much about Rea, but about the Brewers roster situation in general. Specifically, the two-fold roster management problems stemming from prospects and returnees from the injured list.

Let’s look at the young arms coming up. Carlos F. Rodriguez, Jacob Misiorowski, and Logan Henderson could be vying for spots in the Brewers rotation at some point in the 2025 season, and they are just the top prospects. Chad Patrick, Brett Wichrowski, Bishop Letson, and Josh Knoth could also make their cases.

The return of Gasser and Woodruff from the injured list is a factor to consider as well. Their successful comebacks could also make things crowded in the 2025, to put it bluntly. It is fair to ask if Rea would even be one of the best six the Crew could put in the rotation.

The Case For An Extension

Have you seen how many starters went on the injured list the past two years? Rea has been reliable for the Brewers to date, and reliable starters are crucial to make the playoffs, if not to have a fighting chance in a playoff series.

But Rea has pitched well the last two seasons, and this year, some of his best performances on the mound have been against potential playoff opponents. He pitched well against the Phillies once, the Braves twice, and Cleveland once to date in the season.

His trajectory has also been in the right direction. Even if he ends up as a back-end innings-eater, those have value over the course of a 162-game season.

Also, extending Rea may not be a real budget-buster for the Brewers either. As note when discussing Milwaukee’s offseason options with Willy Adames, such an extension is not so much about what the player gets paid overall, but really, it’s about how much more one has to come up with to make a deal work.

Overview

Colin Rea has been a crucial part of Milwaukee’s success the last two seasons. In this case, a two-year extension at $7.5 million a year, with a team option for $10 million for the third year (along with a $4 million buyout) might be the best option. Long enough to keep a solid contributor who could be a veteran presence for the younger starters, but not so long as to risk repeating the Lohse/Wolf/Garza sagas for the Brewers.

Colin Rea may have been a NRI for the Brewers at the start of 2023, but now, he’s a crucial part of the rotation, and probably should get an offer that reflects that.

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[wiguy94]

Rea is under team control for another season, so obviously no he shouldn’t be extended.

Go take a look at what Adrian Houser has done this year. If you had your way he would have like 4 more years of guaranteed money from the Brewers.

[Outlander]

The Brewers did pretty good on this contract guaranteeing the one year and now likely picking up the $5.5 million option for 2025 since he pitched so well this year. Don't really want the Brewers going multi-year with too many guys in their mid 30's. It would not surprise me one bit if Rea had a disaapointing 2025 but he earned his money with just his 2024 production.

[duewizard]

After 2025 I'd be willing to offer him something similar to this year, just more money.

2026- 5 million

2027- 7 million (club option. 2M buyout).

Maybe a bit less money? not sure. But I wouldn't do anything until next year's offseason. Rea has been consistent this year but lets not forget he spent a significant amount of time on the IL last year.

And while he's been great this year, there are no guarantees he will continue to perform at this level, especially as he ages.

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, Outlander said:

The Brewers did pretty good on this contract guaranteeing the one year and now likely picking up the $5.5 million option for 2025 since he pitched so well this year. Don't really want the Brewers going multi-year with too many guys in their mid 30's. It would not surprise me one bit if Rea had a disaapointing 2025 but he earned his money with just his 2024 production.

Yeah...what's the rush?

We COULD see Woodruff, Miley, Gasser all back at some point next year. Should see Woody.

Ashby looked really good outing...not that I'd hold my breath there, but he did. Henderson, Misiorowski, Myers, DL Hall can be either a long man or a starter...

I'm not even factoring Letson, Knoth or anyone in low A into the equation yet...but we don't have to as we have Rea for another year.

The BP for next year could be just ridiculous. I'm still a big believer in Uribe. He needs to get his emotions under control, but he has untouchable stuff when he's right. 

Williams/Megill/Uribe/Hudson/Mears-who I think will improve/literally 10-12 more guys who could be very solid arms...and I still like Peguero and Payamps. Paredes, Hergert, Yoho...

 

I don't see any reason to jump the gun on anyone over 30. I'm more concerned with guys in their 20s. Roll the dice on those extensions. Does Myers take a 6-year 30M deal with 2 TOs? I'd do that before I'd try and extend Rea. 

[jay87shot]

I say no, for a different organization sure but we so much pitching depth for 2026 and beyond. If he is pitching well maybe by this time next year it will be more clear and less risky.

I wouldnt be signing any short team starter unless thy are on near minimum deals. I would probably just wait, maybe someone goes unsigned like Lorenzen and Clevinger did this year and take dirt cheap deals.

[rolafaive]

Let's see you extended Ashby and how is that working out, you say that he would block the youngsters, well your plan for the Miz is starting in pen, every other youngster has been used for fill-ins and unless someone blows you away in spring training, only one would make it from minors or they would be on roster right now in Milwaukee.

[jimpack456]

I would add for one more yr and a club option for 2027. I would also trade Williams in the off season if the Brew Crew can get a decent return.

[Brock Beauchamp]

5 minutes ago, jimpack456 said:

I would add for one more yr and a club option for 2027. I would also trade Williams in the off season if the Brew Crew can get a decent return.

I'm not sure a one-year extension would interest Rea at this point. He's having a breakout season and next year is his age-34 season. If he wants a larger payday, 2026 is his one shot at it.

I'd also trade Williams, though I think many fans will be disappointed with the return. But given the volatility of relievers, I'm an advocate for trading almost every good one you develop.