When it was announced that the Cubs had released potential fifth starter Colin Rea, the primary motivation given was that they were allowing him to pursue an opportunity in Japan. Sure enough, the NPB’s Softbank Hawks recently announced an agreement with the righty. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but will have a greater impact on the Cubs than just pocketing Rea’s surplus.
He was only due to earn $702,500 in 2021 and the savings come out to less than $600,000 once termination pay of 30 days of salary (~$115K) is removed.