'Increase rate of 200%'Lively rewarded with 13 wins-$2.25 million...KBO 'Reversible Exports'Chapter Following Kelly-Peddy
Nov 24, 2024
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The main character is Ben Lively, who played for the Samsung Lions for three seasons. The Cleveland Guardians announced on the 22nd (Korea time) that they had re-signed right-hander Ben Lively for a year and $2.25 million ahead of the non-tender deadline.
Lively started 29 games this season and pitched 151 innings, marking 13-10 losses, 3.18 ERA, 118 strikeouts, and 1.25 WHIP as a built-in starter. Cleveland advanced to the postseason this year by winning the AL Central with 92-69 wins using Lively and Tanner Bybee as one-two punches.
Although Lively did not meet the regular innings, he played a full-time rotation for the first time in the Major League, ranking first in multiple wins, second in pitching innings, and second in strikeouts.
Lively, who made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017, pitched for the Philadelphia and Kansas City Royals until 2019, but he wore a Samsung uniform as a substitute during the 2019 season after going up and down the big leagues and minor leagues. In his first season, he was 4-4 with a 3.95 ERA in nine games, and in 2020, he was 6-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 21 games and a 4.05 ERA in six games in 2021. He recorded a 10-12 record and 4.14 ERA in 36 total games in three seasons.
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Lively received $750,000 this year, the lowest salary in the major leagues. This time, a 200% increase rate was applied to the salary adjustment qualification, and $2.25 million was guaranteed next year. However, according to MLBTR's annual salary calculation system, Lively's annual salary next year is $3.2 million.
Only Arizona Diamondbacks Merrill Kelly, Cincinnati Reds Eric Peddy, Chicago White Sox Chris Flexen, and Lively are KBO pitchers and the main starters in the Major League.
Peddy, a former KBO MVP in 2023, signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago White Sox this year and was traded to St. Louis after throwing 21 games until July. He went 9-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 31 games this season.
Kelly made his major league debut only after joining the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 after playing as an ace for four years with the SK Wyverns. Arizona has adopted his $7 million club option for next year, although he was only 5-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 13 games this season because of injuries.
Flexen became an FA after throwing 160 innings in 33 games this season with a 3-15 record and a 4.95 ERA.
jhno@sportschosun.com
