Story by
Guardians rotation options Ben Lively, Triston McKenzie sign 1-year deals for 2025 season
- Story by
- Guardians rotation options Ben Lively, Triston McKenzie sign 1-year deals for 2025 season
Ben Lively was given the disappointing news in October that he would be left off the initial ALDS and ALCS rosters as the Guardians battled their way through the 2024 postseason . He eventually pitched against the New York Yankees after an injury to Alex Cobb cleared the way for a roster move, though it was only a four-out appearance.
He'll have a chance to make a larger impact in 2025.
Advertisement
Lively and the Guardians agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million deal to avoid arbitration after his surprising breakout 2024 season at the age of 32.
Guardians offseason primer: 'It starts tomorrow': Guardians look ahead to 2025 offseason after 2024 ALCS loss
Last season, his first with Cleveland , Lively finished with a 3.81 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 151 innings. All were career bests, as Lively played a key role in lifting a Guardians rotation that struggled to find consistency.
Eventually, the Guardians had some difficult discussions with the veteran, as their crowded pitching staff and ability to leverage their many great bullpen weapons left Lively off the initial playoff rosters.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively (39) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros on Sept. 28, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland Guardians Opening Day 2025: Ben Lively is back
Lively, a bit of a late bloomer who is under club control through 2028 despite the fact he'll be 33 by Opening Day, figures to be in a rotation that has more question marks than a Cleveland staff has had in many years.
Advertisement
Tanner Bibee is the club's ace as of this moment with Shane Bieber still a free agent . After Bibee, it's Lively, Gavin Williams , Joey Cantillo , Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie vying for spots, in addition to anyone else who might join the mix between now and when camp opens.
It's an unusual situation for the Guardians , whose rotations have been among the most stable in the league for years. But it has allowed Lively a path to again carve out a crucial role after his breakout season.
Guardians starter Triston McKenzie delivers a pitch against the Yankees on April 13, 2024, in Cleveland.
Triston McKenzie contract: Guardians agree to one-year deal for 2025 season
McKenzie is perhaps the most intriguing player in the Guardians system right now.
Advertisement
The Guardians and McKenzie agreed on a one-year, $1.95 million deal to avoid arbitration for 2025. This comes after his 2024 was a total disaster .
McKenzie made only 16 starts before he completely lost his command and was demoted to Triple-A Columbus. At the time he was optioned, he led the league in both home runs allowed and walks allowed.
The real problem is that McKenzie's issues followed him to Columbus. In 53⅓ innings in Triple-A, he had a 5.23 ERA (compared to 5.11 in the majors) while giving up 10 homers and issuing 33 walks.
Top plays countdown: These plays helped Guardians' Steven Kwan, Andres Gimenez win Gold Glove awards
Advertisement
Entering spring training camp in 2025, McKenzie has had only 20 starts since the beginning of 2023. And the real kicker in all of this is he's now out of minor-league options, so if he is still struggling this spring the Guardians might have some difficult decisions to make.
The Guardians also avoided arbitration with reliever Sam Hentges , agreeing to a one-year, $1.337 million deal. Hentges is expected to miss all of 2025 as he recovers from major shoulder surgery.
Akron RubberDucks outfielder George Valera (13) shakes hands with his teammates during a ring ceremony before a minor league game at Canal Park on April 12, 2022, in Akron, Ohio.
George Valera designated for assignment, then signed to minor league deal ahead of 2025 spring training camp
The Guardians designated outfield prospect George Valera for assignment and then signed him to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring camp.
Advertisement
Before a transactional deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft, the Guardians selected the contacts of right-handed pitchers Franco Aleman and Nic Enright, left-handed pitcher Doug Nikhazy and outfielder Petey Halpin.
To clear room on their own 40-man roster, Valera and right-handed pitchers Connor Gillispie and Peter Strzelecki were all DFA'd.
Valera was the most notable, as he is a former top organizational prospect who was in Baseball America's top 100 overall prospects in both 2022 and 2023. His stock has dropped significantly since that time.
Valera has dealt with numerous injuries, including a hamstring issue, a fractured hamate bone in his right hand and then a knee injury that required surgery.
Advertisement
He's also struggled to hit in the upper levels of the minor leagues. He had a .229/.336/.424 line over parts of three seasons in Triple-A.
Quickly, Valera has fallen from a future middle-of-the-order bat to a prospect who has to earn his way back into the team's plans.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians sign Ben Lively, Triston McKenzie to 2025 contracts
