The Cleveland Guardians have secured the signing of free-agent pitcher Ben Lively.
It will be a one-year MLB contract, meaning he will be added to the 40-man roster and is in Stephen Vogt’s plans to start the season.
Lively had a 5.38 ERA in 88.2 innings with the Cincinnati Reds last season.
His year was a tale of two halves: he posted a 3.83 ERA before the break and a 7.54 mark after it.
Still, the organization believes they can get the best of the right-hander in a much friendlier pitching environment and with the necessary adjustments.
Fans reacted to the news in a variety of ways.
Of course, there were the obvious name-related jokes:
No, they said “we need to add a lively arm to the…” never mind 🤦♂️
— Everlasting Jay (@JayRodz34) December 12, 2023
Now you can say you’ve had a Lively offseason, amiright @castrovince ?
— Dude of the House (@DudeOfTheHouse) December 12, 2023
This exercise included TV and movie star Blake Lively, who is by the way not related to our new Guardian here:
.@blakelively first pitch, when?
— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) December 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/Coh33333333333D/status/1734587872022278634
On a more serious note, the majority of fans (with a few exceptions) were actually not impressed by the move.
Career ERA is 5.05. Last year 5.38…. WHY??
— Jeffrey Buttitta (@buttittajeff) December 12, 2023
This is just pathetic
— max 🔥 (@sportsexpert101) December 12, 2023
Most fans were just not ready to ignore the fact that the offense is the real problem, and the position to address with the most urgency:
This isn’t Tesocar Herandez or Cody Bellinger
— HQ (@Cleve1andHQ) December 12, 2023
WE DONT NEED PITCHING
— The GOAT (@Lobo6678887) December 12, 2023
It’s possible that the decision to bring in Lively has something to do with bolstering the organizational pitching depth ahead of a Shane Bieber trade, possibly this week.
Bieber has been a quality ace for years, but he and the Guardians could never agree on an extension and he is one year away from hitting free agency.
There are plenty of teams interested and a deal could be in the works.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Latest Shane Bieber Trade Rumor
