Cubs' Holmes, Harvey, Rea, Thielbar become free agents, Webb reaches new deal

FILE - Chicago Cubs pitcher Clay Holmes delivers during the first inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, Sept. 25, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs right-handers Clay Holmes, Hunter Harvey and Colin Rea became free agents on Monday along with left-hander Caleb Thielbar after their 2027 options were declined, while righty Jacob Webb agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.

Holmes, a 33-year-old acquired from the Mets on Aug. 3, agreed in December 2024 to a $38 million, three-year contract with New York that included a $12 million player option for 2027. He went 6-8 with a 3.29 ERA in 18 starts, including 2-4 with a 4.25 ERA in nine appearances for Chicago. His right fibula was broken on May 15 when he was hit by a 111.1 mph line drive off the bat of the New York Yankees' Spencer Jones and Holmes didn't return to the major leagues until Aug. 8.

Harvey had a $6 million, one-year contract that included a $5 million salary for 2026 and the Cubs declined an $8 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout. The 31-year-old pitched just four innings over four appearances, the last on April 8, then went on the injured list because of right triceps inflammation.

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Cubs' Holmes, Harvey, Rea, Thielbar become free agents, Webb reaches new deal

Posted Monday, November 2, 2026 1:12 pm

Chicago declined a $7.5 million club option on Rea that was part of a $6.5 million, one-year contract, opting to pay a $1 million buyout. The 36-year-old was 8-8 with a 4.34 ERA in 19 starts and 15 relief appearances.

Thielbar, 39, had a $4.5 million, one-year contract that includes a $4 million salary for 2026 and the Cubs declined a $6 million mutual option with a $500,000 buyout. He went 3-4 with a 4.86 ERA in 58 relief appearances. Thielbar was sidelined between April 23 and May 19 by a strained left hamstring.

Chicago held a $2.5 million club option on Webb, who had a $1.5 million base salary this year and earned $500,000 in performance bonuses. The 33-year-old was 6-5 with a 3.36 ERA and nine saves in 68 relief appearances.

Webb and the team agreed to a deal with a $2 million salary for 2027 and a $4 million team option for 2028 with a $500,000 buyout. Webb can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses next year: $125,000 each for 35, 45, 55 and 65 games pitched.

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