4. Ben Lively, Cleveland Guardians
Contract: One-year, $750K (pre-arb)
2024 Stats: 8 GS, 45 IP, 2.80 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 8.60 K/9, 2.80 BB/9, 0.4 fWAR
Are we sensing a pattern here?
Here's another pre-arbitration signing from this offseason that's proving to be incredibly valuable for a team's rotation. Ben Lively, who has had quite a journey through baseball, was originally drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Reds back in 2013.
Lively made his MLB debut with the Phillies in 2017 and had stints with the Royals, Diamondbacks, and even played overseas in the KBO from 2019 to 2021. He returned to the U.S. with the Reds on a minor league deal last season.
In 19 appearances and 12 starts, Lively posted a 5.38 ERA and was eventually DFA’d and optioned to Triple-A. Not being on the 40-man roster, he elected free agency this offseason and signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians faced early-season injuries in their rotation, which led to Lively being called up to make a start on April 17th.
Since then, Lively has made eight starts in the rotation, boasting a sub-3.00 ERA and winning four of his five starts in May. If he can sustain this performance, the Guardians will have a reliable pitcher in their rotation for years to come.
Although he is 32 years old, Lively won't be eligible for arbitration until 2026 and won't reach free agency until 2029. This gives the Guardians five years of control if they choose to keep him. For a small-market team, this could be an exceptional find.
