The Guardians and catcher Austin Hedges are reportedly in agreement on a contract worth $4MM, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. As noted by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the pact is a one-year deal.
A second-round pick by the Padres in the 2011 draft, Hedges made his MLB debut with San Diego back in 2015. After spending the first two seasons of his big league career in a reserve role, Hedges as the Padres’ primary catcher from 2017 to 2019, slashing just .208/.265/.380 but earning excellent marks for his defense behind the plate. Hedges started the shortened 2020 campaign in San Diego but was shipped to Cleveland in a nine-player deal that brought Mike Clevinger to San Diego. Hedges made just six appearances throughout the remainder of the season following the trade, but became the regular catcher in Cleveland during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. It was more of the same for Hedges during his time in Cleveland, as he batted a paltry .168/.228/.274 while posting elite defensive numbers.
In his first trip to the open market last season, Hedges landed with the Pirates on a one-year, $5MM deal before being dealt to the Rangers at the Trade Deadline, with whom he won the World Series as part of a catching corps that also featured Jonah Heim and Mitch Garver. The 30-year-old’s characteristic mix of anemic offense and strong defense continued last season. In 212 trips to the plate, Hedges posted a career-worst slash line of .184/.234/.327. While that 27 wRC+ is a whopping 73% worse than league average, Statcast’s Fielding Run Value metric put him in the 99th percentile among all MLB players last season. Hedges ranked in the 98th percentile with +13 framing runs while also posting a 90th percentile +8 blocks above average.
Those defensive chops earned him another shot in Cleveland, where the Guardians surely hope he can act as a mentor to young catcher Bo Naylor behind the plate. Naylor impressed in 67 games last season with a slash line of .237/.337/.470 (124 wRC+), but his defensive metrics left something to be desired as he was only slightly better than league average in terms of framing and below average in terms of blocking and controlling the running game. Hedges should be able to guide Naylor in each of those areas while also helping him stay rested throughout the season. His strong defense and game-calling ability should also be an asset for the Guardians’ many young pitchers, including Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams.
That’s alot for him
This is exactly why the Guardians don’t pay their ball park ushers.
Or win in October.
I hear most of the $4M is deferred over 20 years. It’s the new trend.
I heard the Guardians deferred the $4M to the Dodgers in a little known MLB CBA loophole
Again? Oh for cripes sake.
For Pete’s sake, Pete. For Pete’s sake.
Interesting. They have Bo Naylor and Christian Bethancourt already on the roster. Does this mean Naylor starts the year in AAA.
That would be insane
Oh dear I hope not
Hopefully not for a guy who bats 150
Naylor was a 2 war player so no
Hedges is a defensive wizard. Probably signed him as a mentor to Naylor.
Chark, I think David Fry is much more likely to end up a AAA than Bo.
It also is a sign, I think, that they either are trading Bethancourt or they have no intention of keeping De Los Santos on the 25 man. He will either go back to Arizona or we will make a deal for him.
No, look for Bethancout or David Fry to move on. Bo Naylor is Cleveland’s starting catcher.
Replacing Terry Francona?
Always lookin’ for junk laying around… Why don’t you do somethin’ more productive for once?!
Awwwww….guess you know what “productive” looks like, don’t you? I suppose that bling Hedges will flash in the clubhouse is “junk” too, right? Listen, I know folks like you are transfixed by the allure of name players, but this is a guy who is a plus at the edge of the roster, and most such guys never make the contribution Hedges will. I’m not crazy about paying him $4 million, but he’s certainly not “junk.”
Gahahahahaha!
It’s a bargain at 4 million dollars!
Transaction approved!
The fun starts from here!
Never fear, I’ll be here!
Just trade Bo Naylor already
Stupid
So, Naylor, Vasquez and Hedges? Paying 4 mil for Hedges while crying poor a few weeks ago?
Oh swell
Isn’t that expensive for the Guardians to allocate for a backup catcher with a career batting line below .200
Quickly became a fan favorite here in Texas even though he didn’t play much. Would have liked him to come back, but the money was better elsewhere.
Speaking as a Cleveland fan I would’ve loved if he went back there too
It was a very short tweet, so I’m guessing this is actually 2 for $4 million. If it’s $4 million for 1 then that seems like an overpay.
It’s the Ohtani effect. If a guy’s worth $70mil a year, even Hedges deserves “crumbs” like $4mil
What was it that charmed Rangers fans? His .417 OPS? OPS+ of 14?
Why is he a fan favorite in Texas? Because he smiles a lot? He hit like his usual garbage in his 26 plate appearances for Texas (including the playoffs). I also see he weirdly made 4 pitching appearances which is kind of fun.
This guy is absolutely terrible. No way he should be in the majors, much less making $4 million.
4 mill for a negative war player. The indians of all teams seriously lol
It’s so irritating. When they finally spend money, they do it like this
Once we get robo umps guys like this will never ever make it to the majors let alone last long
Blocking and throwing will never go away
So they’ve spent like $10 mil on Barlow and Hedges. Not sure that’s best use of funds for them
They STILL need a righty corner OF bat who can drive in runs. For a team who endlessly cries poverty, how can they afford to flush $4M down the toilet on Hedges? He still can’t hit – never will!!!
Fangraphs had Hedges worth 0.8 WAR in 82 games last year, and I trust them a bit more when evaluating catcher defense. He truly is a master of his craft and as long as he’s not the primary catcher he’s not going to truly hurt a team’s chances of winning.
“A master of his craft?” Oh paleeeeze.
Purely as a defensive catcher, he’s easily one of the best in the league. He was worth 3 more framing runs than Jonah Heim despite catching 1500 fewer pitches. The only catcher worth more framing runs was Patrick Bailey. He routinely rates as a plus plus defender, and it’s not a stretch to call him a master of his craft. He’s got a noodle bat for sure, but he’s a perfectly fine back up catcher and great clubhouse presence.
How dare you spout common sense?
Maybe, but he’s such a bad hitter it’s worth considering using the DH spot for him when he plays and letting the pitcher bat
That doesn’t make sense.
Pirates had him bunting as often as they used to have pitchers bunt. He became quite good moving the runner over. I was not impressed with his defense, seem to have numerous catcher interferences called.
Especially if Ohtani is pitching…oh wait never mind.
That’s a massive overpay
1 million would’ve been a massive overpay
Crazy that a guy who hits well below the Mendoza line still manages to get a 4mil contract while there are still many free agents out there- Hedges should be on a minor league contract at this point in his career
The thing is, that just proves how good he is as a defensive catcher and clubhouse guy. Jeff Mathis had a really long career doing the same thing.
The Guardians need offense and this doesn’t help that at all, but I get why teams still value him.
He might be helping on offense in other ways. Pitch calling. The pitchers had better numbers when throwing to him. He contributes by keeping opponents from scoring.
I love Hedges and it seemed like they didn’t have much in the way of veteran leadership last year, so bringing him back is fine. I think he helps in the clubhouse as much as he does behind the plate a few days a week.
BUT…this makes no sense after already having gotten Bethancourt to back up Bo Naylor. I don’t really understand the way they’re spending their money this offseason. Hedges, Barlow, Laureano, and Bethancourt are all fine on their own but that’s about $18 million of the payroll on role players, for a team that’s said this offseason that there’s little to no wiggle room in the payroll. In this market, that could have probably gotten you JD Martinez — who would have been a perfect fit.
That’s so Guardians.
“But his framing is top notch! Who cares if he bats .180 every season and carries a negative war over his 9 year career!”
/s
Once Ohtani came off the market, Hedges’ price went through the roof.
Hedges agent successfully negotiated with the Guardians that he is also a True 2-way player. I can “catch and throw” the ball. Bat…not so much
Go Cubs Go!!!
Just watch the Guardians NOT SPEND on the overall #1 pick. They won’t ante up, instead signing a guy less talented after trumping up his signability. Such BS with this organization.
Stop creating a false narrative. You can call the ‘Guards cheap all you want and it’s true but you can’t ever say they don’t invest in the draft. Their is 0% chance they don’t sign the #1 pick unless the pick flat out says he doesn’t want to be in the Cleveland organization, which won’t happen because they work out these things before the draft to limit risk
…..spoken by a member of the Guardians front office…..otherwise you would have not commented.
No. Based On facts. You are spreading false information. Read up on ‘Guards draft history and educate yourself cause you come off ignorant, so it’s either you actually are or just too lazy to actually inform yourself on truth. That’s 90 percent of the people here, though. You one of those commenters who just comment to comment from something you heard from someone a long time ago or just because it’;s easier to do the work to find the actual truth.
@ “Sixth City” Guards”
But don’t you see? These fans live, breathe, and eat the narrative. They aren’t interested in anything that refutes their narrow-minded notions. The fact is, CLE has never, NOT ONCE, cut corners in any area of organizational development, top to bottom. And truth is, if you really, really, REALLY wanted to be cheap, that’s where you could pinch pennies because fans would never know. Because all fans care about is major league payroll. Fact is, CLE plows every bit of available revenue into organizational development, where spending matters. You can either be excellent there or waste money on free agents, not both. Cleveland chooses wisely, much to the consternation of fans to don’t know any better.
Said perfectly. Yes, we are major league penny pinchers but not in the draft. That’s how we have developed pitchers to be able to trade them. Yes, we have not been as succuessful with the offensive side in drafting but it’s not lack of trying and we still might have a couple guys in next few years if Bo can keep developing. I am a big Valera fan so maybe he can get back on track and we still got Delauter and Manzardo (through a trade) but still. Cleveland is very widely respected in all circles; just look at all the former front office cleveland guys are in top roles in other organizations. Haters going hate I guess.
Oil Can, the draft is the life blood of small market teams like Cleveland. The Guardians came very close to being penalized for paying over their draft allotment last season. You are creating a false narrative. Admit it and learn.
This must be, has to be, in advance of a trade where bentencort is part of the package
You called it
As a ‘guards fan, I’m conflicted. He has no offense but a great clubhouse guy. If MLB had a 3 extra catcher rule and you could carry three but third wouldn’t count against the roster, he be a great 3rd catcher guy in what other “non stats countable” stuff he does
Runs young staff better than bethancourt? A better mentor for naylor? Manager in waiting? Converting him to an outfielder? I think there is a trade in the works or else it makes little sense.
Yeah. he does those two things better and I could see him as a mlb coach one day.
Bethancourt is on the move along with Bieber for Mickey Moniak
Not moniak. They don’t need a low power lefty bat. LA does need a bat first catcher. Adell maybe, they love fallen first rounders, and who else?
As a Reds fan I can tell you the 3 catcher thing doesn’t work.
Nice signing. Guy’s gonna rake! Probably put up MVP numbers. 200 HRs 600 RBIs.
Number one pick ! The fans have to be excited this year. Unlike Detroit I’m sure they get a ready to play guy. The division will get tighter quicker with this years draft.
Ummm…. Why…. Naylor Bethancourt and Fry are all better
Who had the leagues worst wRC last year? With a minimum of let’s say 150 ABs?
You had me curious so I looked. Hedges was second worst with a 24 wRC+ last year in 212 plate appearances.
Michael Toglia’s wRC+ was 21 in 152 plate appearances.
Also, Cam Gallagher’s wRC+ of -17 (somehow that’s possible) would have been worst but he had 149 plate appearances so he just barely missed it
Wow, I didn’t know you could have a negative score.
@Baseball Purist According to Stathead, there have only been 11 instances of a player having an OPS+ below zero in 150+ plate appearances among non-pitchers. The most recent is from Pat Rockett in 1978, who hit .142/.212/.155 with a OPS+ of exactly zero in 157 plate appearances for the Atlanta Braves. The lowest ever was from Gus Weyhing who had a .111/.146/.146 line and -17 OPS+ in 202 plate appearances for the 1891 Philadelphia Athletics. Technically, he was a pitcher, but also played some outfield, so he was sort of a two-way player.
Thanks!
Perplexing….guy hasn’t even been an average backup for years. Solid defender but even bad offensively for catchers.
Being as good defensively behind the plate as Hedges is can keep you career alive for a decade or more. Just ask Jeff Mathis, who’s highest single-season OPS was .642 and never once batted above .240, yet he appeared in 17 big league seasons, had +100 defensive runs saved, and +64.1 framing runs,
They would have been better getting knizer for league minimum
Jeff Mathis 2.0.
You’re saying CLE couldn’t find a guy internally, or a trade partner, or a minimum league vet contract that would provide better upside than negative war hedges?
Mind blowing.
Vogt should have been enough of a mentor to Naylor. No need for this.
Just got Bethancourt, so this makes no sense. manager and 1st base coach are ex catchers so do not need to spend $4m on an automatic out just because he is a nice guy.
terrible!!!!
He got 4M? Good on him
It says last year was a career worst yet that’s better than his career slash line. That’s scary.
Is it possible they’re thinking of moving Bo to right field?
Cleveland just traded Bethancourt to Miami so there is your answer.
I can understand the thinking even if I disagree. They need help with the young staff, and they know that’s exactly what Hedges brings. If they are going to be winning games, they’re not going to be winning by outscoring anyone, they’ll be winning low scoring with great pitching. So you load up on what will help pitchers. And hey, he is a definitely an upgrade over Gallagher.
This makes more sense with the Bethancourt trade just reported. Hedges really is a great defender but $4 million seems pretty steep for a backup catcher.
Bethancourt to Miami.
Leave it to the Guardians’ fanbase to overreact.
Then immediately follow it up by trading Christian Bethancourt to the Marlins. AL Central teams are shopping the discount and clearance aisles this holiday weekend! ⚾️
Austin Hedges was more important to the Rangers in this year’s playoffs than most people realize.
After Ohtani broke the market the vet minimum is now 4mil a year
Get the boos ready again Cleveland. This guy stunk up PNC Park for half a season and he couldn’t understand why he was getting booed by the home fans when the first strains of his walkup music started.
Guardians to fire up some Benson & Hedges.
4m oh wow! Overpay. Look at his low average. Pirates paid him 5m last year. Trade deadline sellers and still won 70 some games with a 70 something payroll. Rangers who were smart enough to build a team that won it all took on all his salary and gave up international signing. Seems like Cleveland knows what they are doing. 4m isn’t enough to worry about.
Pirate fans were booing his every AB last year. He has no arm, so stolen bases will go up. He is not as good defensively as the metrics seem to indicate….he can hardly move laterally and gets called for catchers interference frequently. Outside of that
Pitchers seem to like him, he has good rapport with them. So $4M for an asst pitching coach.
The more I think about this deal, the more I like it. There is no denying that Hedges has been terrible offensively.. but a backup catcher gets so few plate appearances, let alone meaningful plate appearances, it is not of much consequence.
On top of that, since David Fry can catch, which allows Vogt to very aggressively pinch hit for Hedges.
If Hedges can get the best out of the pitching staff and help Bo continue to develop – I’m all for it.