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Veteran catcher Austin Hedges has agreed to a one-year contract to rejoin the Cleveland Guardians as Bo Naylor’s backup for the upcoming season.
Sources confirmed to ESPN’s Buster Olney that the contract is worth $4 million.
The former San Diego Padres backstop expressed interest in returning to Cleveland during his exit interview, a sentiment the team also shared.
Catcher Austin Hedges and the Cleveland Guardians have agreed to a one-year contract, sources tell ESPN. He returns to the Guardians as a backup for Bo Naylor.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 6, 2024
“He’s not just the mascot; this is a really good player,” manager Stephen Vogt said after the season. “He is so much more to us than what any outside source can see. He helps us get better. He helps me get better. He challenges the coaching staff. He challenges his teammates and he brings the energy every day .”
“And he’s a very good Major League baseball player. You won’t stay in the league as long as he’s here by accident.”
Hedges served as a key clubhouse liaison for manager Vogt, who was faced with the challenge of dealing with numerous pitching staff injuries early in the season. At age 32, Hedges also took on a mentor role for Naylor, playing in eight of Cleveland’s 10 postseason games.
“I love this city, I love this organization, I’m really proud to be part of this group,” Hedges said on October 19, indicating his willingness to re-sign with the club.
Hedges’ leadership was a key factor in this season’s success, as the team finished with a 92-69 record and captured the AL Central title under first-year manager Vogt. Cleveland defeated Detroit in a competitive American League Division Series, but fell to the New York Yankees in five games in the American League Championship Series.
“A whole team is coming back,” Hedges said. “A lot of teams come in and they change personnel year after year, but this is a very similar group coming back next year and I think Cleveland fans have a lot to look forward to.”
After a 2023 season with Pittsburgh and Texas – where he secured a World Series title – Austin Hedges has returned to Cleveland with a new contract. In his 46 starts with the Guardians, the team went 26-20.
Although Hedges had challenges at the plate, his veteran presence earned him starts in the postseason, and because of his experience, he often took over for Naylor in high-stakes late-game situations.
Previously, Hedges spent more than five seasons with San Diego before being traded to Cleveland in 2020.