The Cleveland Guardians’ decision to bring back Austin Hedges was met with mixed reviews. On the one hand, he’s one of the best defensive backstops in the game. On the other hand, he gives this team nothing on offense. However, Stephen Vogt believes he brings much more to the table than what meets the eye.
When asked about his veteran catcher, the Guardians’ manager had nothing but praise for the veteran:
“Whatever Hedges is making, it’s not enough. Austin Hedges is the leader of that clubhouse. He makes our pitchers better. He makes the position players better. He makes everyone around him better, and he’s a really good catcher and a really good hitter. The value that he brings in our clubhouse and our team is invaluable,” Vogt said.
To be fair, it’s not like the Guardians broke the bank to keep Hedges around or that they had to go through a bidding war of sorts. Also, all clubhouses need a veteran leader, and Hedges is one of the most beloved and respected members of the team.
Also, it’s not like he’s going to be the main guy. For now, Bo Naylor should continue to handle catcher duties more often than not, all while star prospect Cooper Ingle patiently waits for his turn.
Naylor showed some signs of life late in the season after struggling for most of the campaign. Having a savvy mentor like Hedges will also work wonders for his game, as he’s one of the best in the league when it comes to calling games. The Guardians clearly need to add more firepower to their roster, and the offense should be their No. 1 priority going forward.
Even so, bringing Hedges back made perfect sense at that price, and sometimes, those ‘glue guys’ are the ones holding the team together, even when they’re not playing much.
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