Guardians know Austin Hedges’ value goes far beyond the box score

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In a move that surprised absolutely no one following the Guardians closely, the team announced a contract agreement for 2026 with veteran catcher Austin Hedges. It’s the second consecutive one-year deal for a reported $4 million plus incentives for a player whose defensive talents far outweigh what he brings to the table offensively.

So why are the Guardians so eager to keep investing in a player whose .185 lifetime batting average would make most front offices hesitate? Because Austin Hedges represents something increasingly rare in baseball: intangible value that transcends statistics.

“Hedges is just such a different personality that I really think he’s ingrained himself with this team and they know his value in that clubhouse, in the dugout, when he’s playing, when