CLEVELAND -- Catcher Austin Hedges re-signed with the Cleveland Guardians , agreeing Wednesday to a one-year contract worth $4 million.

Hedges, who had been eligible for free agency, gets the same base salary he had this season. He can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses for starts as a catcher: $125,000 each for 70, 75, 80 and 85.

Even though Hedges is the backup catcher, he has emerged as a key clubhouse leader on a squad that has won the AL Central three of the last four seasons.

Cleveland first acquired Hedges in 2020 from the San Diego Padres . He spent 2023 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers before returning to the Guardians in 2024.

Hedges, 33, was tied for fourth among AL catchers in defensive runs saved with nine. His 95 defensive runs saved since 2017 ar

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