Ben Lively – Cleveland Guardians Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Ben Lively, or “Bebo” to his fans, has carved out a spot as a reliable pitcher in Major League Baseball. Hailing from Pensacola, Florida, he went in the fourth round to the Cincinnati Reds back in 2013 and has spent years building a solid career on the mound.

Ben Lively currently makes $2.25 million after inking a one-year deal with the Cleveland Guardians in November 2024, avoiding arbitration.

At 33, the right-hander has steadily grown his financial portfolio as his career’s gone on. Lively’s net worth sits at about $1,113,842, which really shows the winding road he’s taken through pro baseball.

His current contract with the Guardians is a big jump from his previous $750,000 salary in 2024.

He’s bounced around a bit, playing for several organizations and proving his resilience along the way. Born on March 5, 1992, Lively has faced his share of challenges but managed to lock down a spot in the majors.

His recent deal with Cleveland shows the team’s belief in what he brings heading into 2025.

Early Life and Background

Ben Lively grew up in Pensacola, Florida, where his love for baseball started early and shaped his future. Those early years really set him up for a shot at the big leagues.

Family and Education

Edward Bennett “Ben” Lively was born March 5, 1992, in Pensacola to Edward and Ginny Lively. He started playing organized baseball at just 4 years old, already showing a knack for the game.

Friends and teammates called him “Bebo.” Lively’s family created a supportive home that helped him nurture his athletic skills. Pensacola gave him plenty of chances to hone his baseball abilities from the start.

He attended Gulf Breeze High School in Gulf Breeze, Florida. There, he stood out as a pitcher and started catching the eye of both college programs and pro scouts.

Path to Professional Baseball

After high school, Lively headed to the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he kept working on his pitching and expanded his arsenal. Competing in college ball gave him a real taste of tough competition.

His college stats caught the attention of MLB scouts, and in the 2013 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds picked him in the fourth round, 135th overall. That pick marked the start of his pro baseball journey.

He moved from amateur to pro ball with determination, climbing through the minor leagues and showing enough promise to reach the majors.

The fundamentals he picked up early on became the backbone of a career that would take him to several MLB teams.

Professional Baseball Career

Ben Lively’s pro baseball path has been all about resilience since that 2013 draft. He’s played for a handful of teams and has shown he can handle both starting and relief roles.

MLB Debut and Early Performances

Lively kicked off his pro career when the Reds drafted him in 2013. But things changed quickly—Cincinnati traded him to the Phillies in December 2014 for Marlon Byrd.

He spent time developing in the minors and finally made his MLB debut with the Phillies on June 3, 2017. In his first start, he threw seven strong innings against the Giants, gave up just one run, and grabbed his first big league win.

He finished his rookie season with a 4-7 record and a 4.26 ERA over 15 starts. Lively showed good command and could eat innings, which is always valuable for a young pitcher.

Teams and Trades

Lively’s career has taken him to several teams. After his Phillies stint ended in 2018, he landed with the Kansas City Royals. Then he took a shot overseas, signing with the Samsung Lions in Korea’s KBO League for 2019 and 2020.

He returned to MLB in 2023, signing with the Reds—the team that first drafted him. That season, he made 19 appearances (13 starts) for Cincinnati, going 4-7 with a 5.38 ERA.

In December 2023, he signed a major league deal with the Cleveland Guardians for $750,000 for 2024. That move put him in a rotation with names like Shane Bieber, Gavin Williams, and Tanner Bibee.

Key Career Highlights

Lively’s had some bright spots along the way. In the KBO League, he became one of the top foreign pitchers and used that success to boost his value before coming back to the States.

His 2023 season with Cincinnati included a memorable seven-inning, one-run performance against the Brewers. He’s relied on mixing pitches and changing speeds to keep hitters guessing.

With the Cleveland Guardians, Lively is working to secure a steady spot in the rotation. Playing for different organizations and leagues has given him a unique perspective and adaptability.

His stats tell the story of a pitcher who’s fought through plenty of ups and downs. Lively keeps finding ways to reinvent himself, and that’s been his calling card throughout his journey.

Current Role with the Cleveland Guardians

Ben Lively now serves as a versatile pitching piece for the Guardians. After signing a one-year, $2.25 million deal for 2025, he offers the team plenty of flexibility on the pitching staff.

Pitching Role and Rotation

Lively acts as a swingman for the Guardians, bouncing between the rotation and bullpen as needed. Usually, he slots in as the fourth or fifth starter, giving the team steady innings and a decent strikeout rate.

His flexibility has been a real asset, especially when injuries have hit Cleveland’s pitching staff.

Manager Stephen Vogt uses Lively in matchups that play to his strengths, often putting him up against right-handed lineups where his breaking pitches shine. At Progressive Field, Lively has adjusted by focusing on ground balls instead of just chasing strikeouts.

He works quickly, which helps when the bullpen needs a breather after a heavy workload.

Spring Training and Performance

During spring training, Lively caught the coaching staff’s eye by tweaking his mechanics and bumping his fastball up by 1-2 mph. That work paid off—he posted a 3.85 ERA through his first six outings.

Some key numbers:

• Better command with his breaking pitches
• Lower walk rate than previous years
• Smarter pitch sequencing against both lefties and righties

Pitching coach Carl Willis has spent a lot of time with Lively, especially on his changeup. That pitch has become a real weapon against left-handed hitters.

Lively’s durability stands out, too. He keeps himself in shape and sticks to a consistent routine between starts.

Bullpen Impact

When Lively moves to the bullpen, he’s become a go-to for multi-inning relief. He can give the Guardians two or three innings at a time, making him the perfect bridge to relievers like Emmanuel Clase.

He usually comes in for:

• Long relief after a short start
• Middle innings with runners on
• Planned bullpen games where several pitchers split the load

Cleveland’s analytics team finds the right matchups for Lively, putting him in spots where his pitch mix works best. Catcher David Fry has built a good rapport with him, which makes those appearances smoother.

In tight spots, Lively stays calm and limits the damage, helping the Guardians stay in close games. His versatility keeps proving valuable for Cleveland’s pitching plans.

Contract Details and Negotiations

Ben Lively’s journey through MLB contracts shows how he’s earned respect and a spot through steady progress. His latest deal with Cleveland highlights a player finally getting recognized for his work.

One-Year Deal Overview

Lively signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Guardians for 2025. That’s a big jump from his $750,000 salary in 2024.

The agreement came together in November 2024 as the Guardians aimed to shore up their rotation. Both sides managed to avoid arbitration, which usually means they found a fair number without much fuss.

Lively’s efforts even earned him an unexpected honor: he got the Opening Day start, a role usually saved for the team’s ace.

Arbitration and Payroll Implications

This new $2.25 million deal marks Lively’s first real payday in the majors after years of earning close to the minimum. His last contract was just $750,000, so this is a big step up.

For the Guardians, this fits their usual approach—investing in solid veterans without getting locked into long-term deals that might tie their hands later. The front office, led by their baseball ops VP, has stuck with this strategy even when the economy’s been uncertain.

The one-year contract also gives Lively a chance to prove himself and maybe earn a bigger, multi-year deal down the line.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Ben Lively’s finances have grown steadily as he’s stuck it out in pro baseball. His net worth is currently estimated at $1,113,842, which comes from MLB contracts and possibly a few side gigs.

Earnings Throughout Career

Lively’s MLB earnings have jumped quite a bit recently. His current deal with the Guardians is worth $2,250,000 for one year, making it his biggest annual paycheck so far.

Before Cleveland, Lively’s salaries were much lower. When he signed with the Guardians in December 2023, reports had him pegged at about $750,000 for 2024, which is just above the league minimum.

His salary climb is pretty typical for an MLB pitcher who’s proven his worth over time. Lively’s earnings have held strong even as baseball’s payroll landscape has shifted, which says a lot about his staying power as a roster piece.

Endorsements and Other Income

We don’t know the exact details of Lively’s endorsement deals, but it’s pretty common for MLB players like him to supplement their income outside their team contracts. These extra earnings usually come from things like equipment endorsements, guest appearances, or selling merchandise.

Lively has pitched for smaller market teams most of his career, so his endorsement chances probably don’t stack up to those of the big-name stars in huge cities. Still, being an American professional pitcher in MLB does give him some commercial appeal.

A lot of players also bring in money through investments, dabbling in real estate, or starting businesses after their playing days. We don’t have specifics on Lively’s investments, but most pro athletes work with financial advisors to help them grow and protect their money for the future.