Right-hander Ben Lively has agreed to sign with the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization, according to Naver Sports (h/t: Sung Min Kim of FanGraphs). He’ll take the roster spot of another former major league righty, Deck McGuire, whom the Lions will release.
Lively had been with the Diamondbacks, who acquired him from the Royals for cash considerations toward the end of June. As a member of those two teams’ Triple-A affiliates this season, the 27-year-old combined for 72 1/3 innings of 4.48 ERA pitching with 9.5 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9.
Lively also tossed one inning with the Royals this year, but he’s best known for his time with the Phillies – who acquired him from the Reds for outfielder Marlon Byrd in December 2014. Lively worked his way to the majors in 2017 and proceeded to post a 4.81 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 over 112 1/3 innings between then and 2018.
McGuire, now 29, entered the pros as the 11th overall pick of the Blue Jays in 2010. Despite that lofty selection, he hasn’t had much success in the majors or at the Triple-A level with multiple organizations. McGuire also had trouble in the hitter-friendly KBO, where he logged a 5.05 ERA and notched 8.0 K/9 against 5.3 BB/9 in 112 1/3 frames this season.
at least the dbacks have an open 40-man spot now
How the mighty have fallen. I remember when this guy was a good prospect.
They really just need to tell Chris Davis to stop showing up at this point.
I think you’ve got the wrong post, chap
hope he gets a deserved chance. there’s certainly talent there.
Seems like every time someone goes to Korea they sign with the Lions.
At this point the Phils would take a 4.48 ERA on the mound
Is anyone else concerned by the parents who named their son “Deck”?
“Here are my sons, Deck and Stoop. My Daughter, Porch. And the dog, Gazebo.”
Deck is the dude’s real name. His middle name and probably a family name. But it isn’t like Buster or Scooter.
Both Buster and Scooter are nicknames that they go by, same as Chipper. This guy is literally named Deck.
I take it McGuire’s rough start to his 2019 season pretty much guaranteed his release by the Samsung Lions. since he wasn’t able to pitch well (no hitter aside) enough to overcome it. I had predicted he’d get released on reddit.
I remember Reds fans losing their minds over trading a “guaranteed stud” prospect like Ben Lively for an over the hill Marlon Byrd. All told Byrd provided 0.9 WAR in half a season for the Reds and a prospect that ultimately didn’t work out and Lively provided 1.1 WAR in one plus seasons for the Phillies before being waived. It turned out to be a pretty fair deal for both teams.