AL Central champion Guardians bring back popular catcher Austin Hedges for 2025 on $4 million deal
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges celebrates in the locker room after the Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of baseball's AL Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Phil Long]
CLEVELAND (AP) — Popular catcher Austin Hedges has agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract and will return to the Cleveland Guardians next season. The team credited Hedges’ leadership as a major factor on this year’s squad that went 92-69 and won the AL Central title under rookie manager Stephen Vogt. Cleveland beat Detroit in a tight Division Series before losing in five games to the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Hedges was a mentor last season for young catcher Bo Naylor along with being someone Vogt could lean on for advice.
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Cleveland Guardians' Austin Hedges waits to hit during batting practice before Game 2 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo Vásquez)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Godofredo Vásquez