Austin Hedges

Cleveland Guardians, Catcher
Age: 32y-4m-3d (Aug 18, 1992)
Exp: 8.166 Years
Country: US
Drafted: Round 2 (#82 overall), 2011
Agent(s): Scott Boras (Boras Corporation)
2025 Payroll Salary

$4,000,000

2025 Cash

$4,000,000

Career Earnings

$23,999,022

2025-2025 free-agent-xxb (CURRENT)

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $4,000,000 contract with the Cleveland Guardians, including $4,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,000,000. In 2025, Hedges will earn a base salary of $4,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $4,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,000,000
Average Salary:
$4,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2026 / UFA
Year Age PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2025 32 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 1.66% $4,000,000 $4,000,000
2026 33
UFA
Year Age Service Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2025 32 8.166 $4,000,000 - - $4,000,000 $4,000,000
2026 33 --
UFA
Year Age Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2025 32 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 - $4,000,000 $4,000,000
Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2024-2024 free-agent-xxb

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $4,000,000 contract with the Cleveland Guardians, including $4,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,000,000
Average Salary:
$4,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
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2023-2023 free-agent-xxb

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $5,000,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, including $5,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $5,000,000
Average Salary:
$5,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2024 / UFA
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2022-2022 Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $4,000,000 contract with the Cleveland Guardians, including $4,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,000,000
Average Salary:
$4,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2021-2021 Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $3,280,000 contract with the Cleveland Indians, including $3,280,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,280,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,280,000
Average Salary:
$3,280,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2020-2020 Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $3,000,000 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $3,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,000,000
Average Salary:
$3,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2019-2019 Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $2,060,000 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $2,060,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2,060,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,060,000
Average Salary:
$2,060,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2018-2018
Pre-Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $553,100 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $553,100 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $553,100.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $553,100
Average Salary:
$553,100
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2017-2017
Pre-Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $537,100 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $537,100 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $537,100.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $537,100
Average Salary:
$537,100
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2016-2016
Pre-Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $509,500 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $509,500 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $509,500.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $509,500
Average Salary:
$509,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2015-2015
Pre-Arbitration

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $507,500 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $507,500 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $507,500.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $507,500
Average Salary:
$507,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2011-2011 Signing Bonus

Austin Hedges signed a 1 year , $3,000,000 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $3,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,000,000
Average Salary:
$3,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Spotrac Premium Tools
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Seasons

8.166 Years

Career Earnings thru 2025

$23,999,022

Earnings w/ Different Teams

4 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2011 18
Signing Bonus
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
2015 22
Active
$424,303
$3,424,303
2016 23
Active
$33,408
$3,457,711
2017 24
Active
$537,100
$3,994,811
2018 25
Active
$553,100
$4,547,911
2019 26
Active / Arb Avoided
$2,060,000
$6,607,911
2020 27
Active / Arb Avoided
Retained
$464,352
$646,759
$7,072,263
$7,719,022
2021 28
Active / Arb Avoided
$3,280,000
$10,999,022
2022 29
Active / Arb Avoided
$4,000,000
$14,999,022
2023 30
Retained
Active
$3,360,198
$1,639,802
$18,359,220
$19,999,022
 Champion
2024 31
Active
$4,000,000
$23,999,022
Total      
$23,999,022
$23,999,022
2025 32
Active
$4,000,000
Total
$27,999,022

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
7 $4,254,670 $3,000,000 - $7,254,670
4 $11,744,352 - - $11,744,352
1 $3,360,198 - - $3,360,198
1 $1,639,802 - - $1,639,802
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2011
18
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
2015
22
$424,303
$424,303
$3,424,303
2016
23
$33,408
$33,408
$3,457,711
2017
24
$537,100
$537,100
$3,994,811
2018
25
$553,100
$553,100
$4,547,911
2019
26
$2,060,000
$2,060,000
$6,607,911
2020
27
$464,352
$646,759
$464,352
$646,759
$7,072,263
$7,719,022
2021
28
$3,280,000
$3,280,000
$10,999,022
2022
29
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
$14,999,022
2023
30
$3,360,198
$1,639,802
$3,360,198
$1,639,802
$18,359,220
$19,999,022
2024
31
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
$23,999,022
Total
$20,999,022
$3,000,000
$23,999,022
$23,999,022
2025
32
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
Total
$24,999,022
$3,000,000
$27,999,022

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
7 $4,254,670 $3,000,000 - $7,254,670
4 $11,744,352 - - $11,744,352
1 $3,360,198 - - $3,360,198
1 $1,639,802 - - $1,639,802

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2023 PIT Apr 04, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023 Concussion
2022 CLE Jun 28, 2022 - Jul 08, 2022 Concussion
2021 CLE Jun 16, 2021 - Jun 24, 2021 Concussion
2017 SD Jul 18, 2017 - Jul 30, 2017 Concussion
  • Nov 06, 2024 Signed a 1 year $4 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
  • Dec 10, 2023 Signed a 1 year $4 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
  • Aug 01, 2023 Traded to Texas (TEX) from Pittsburgh (PIT) for International Bonus Pool Cap Space ($776,500)
  • Dec 20, 2022 Signed a 1 year $5 million contract with Pittsburgh (PIT)
  • Mar 22, 2022 Signed a 1 year $4 million contract with Cleveland (CLE), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 15, 2021 Signed a 1 year $3.28 million contract with Cleveland (CLE), avoiding arbitration
  • Aug 31, 2020 Traded to Cleveland (CLE) from San Diego (SD) with Josh Naylor , Cal Quantrill , Gabriel Arias , Joey Cantillo and Owen Miller for Mike Clevinger, Greg Allen and Matt Waldron
  • Jan 10, 2020 Signed a 1 year $3 million contract with San Diego (SD), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 11, 2019 Signed a 1 year $2.06 million contract with San Diego (SD), avoiding arbitration
  • Mar 24, 2018 Signed a 1 year $553,100 contract with San Diego (SD)
  • Feb 24, 2017 Signed a 1 year $537,100 contract with San Diego (SD)
  • Mar 04, 2016 Signed a 1 year $509,500 contract with San Diego (SD)
  • Aug 15, 2011 Signed a contract with San Diego (SD)
  • Jun 07, 2011 Drafted by San Diego (SD): Round 2 (#82 overall)
Year Team GP GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB K SB AVG OBP SLG OPS WAR
2024 CLE 66 46 143 132 12 20 3 0 2 15 29 6 50 2 .152 .203 .220 .423 -0.61
2023 TEX 82 66 201 185 14 34 5 0 1 16 42 11 47 1 .184 .234 .227 .461 -0.97
2022 CLE 105 97 328 294 26 48 4 0 7 30 73 25 78 2 .163 .241 .248 .489 -0.36
2021 CLE 88 85 305 286 32 51 7 0 10 31 88 15 87 1 .178 .220 .308 .528 0.04
2020 CLE 35 22 78 69 7 10 1 0 3 6 20 6 23 1 .145 .231 .290 .521 -0.04
2019 SD 103 93 345 312 28 55 9 0 11 36 97 27 109 1 .176 .252 .311 .563 -0.73
2018 SD 92 81 326 303 29 70 14 2 14 37 130 21 90 3 .231 .282 .429 .711 1.18
2017 SD 120 110 415 386 36 83 17 0 18 55 154 23 122 4 .215 .263 .399 .662 0.93
2016 SD 8 7 26 24 2 3 1 0 0 1 4 0 7 0 .125 .154 .167 .321 -0.44
2015 SD 56 41 149 137 13 23 2 0 3 11 34 8 38 0 .168 .215 .248 .463 -0.35

Calculated Market Value

$1.1M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 1 years, $1,092,398
  • Avg. Salary: $1,092,398
  • MLB Rank: 402
  • C Rank: 33

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2026
  • Avg. Salary: $4,000,000
  • MLB Rank: 258
  • C Rank: 22

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Austin Hedges to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Austin Nola 1 $975,000 $975,000 34
Sandy León 1 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 34
Jacob Stallings 1 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 34
Austin Wynns 1 $950,000 $950,000 33
Averages 1 $1,231,250 $1,231,250 33.8

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Hedges's current age (32), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
3 $3,829,839 $1,276,613

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Hedges statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP%, H/Gm, RBI/Gm, K/Gm, AVG/Yr, OPS, WOBP, ISO, WAR

Player GP% H/Gm RBI/Gm K/Gm AVG/Yr OPS WOBP ISO WAR
Austin Nola
2022-2023
 49.85 0.65 0.30 0.56 0.20 0.55 0.27 0.06 1.61
Sandy León
2021-2022
 36.42 0.42 0.15 0.78 0.18 0.51 0.24 0.06 -2.70
Jacob Stallings
2022-2023
 62.27 0.61 0.27 0.74 0.21 0.57 0.28 0.08 -1.38
Austin Wynns
2022-2023
 36.11 0.59 0.26 0.66 0.23 0.61 0.29 0.08 0.77
Average 46.16 0.57 0.25 0.69 0.20 0.56 0.27 0.07 -0.43
Austin Hedges
2023-2024
 45.61 0.38 0.22 0.68 0.17 0.44 0.22 0.05 -2.99
Pct Change -1.19 -33.33 -12.00 1.45 -14.50 -20.71 -20.37 -28.57 0.00
Median Prime % Change -14.50%
Average Prime % Change -14.36%

Calculated Market Value: Austin Hedges

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
1 years, $1,092,398 $1,092,398

FEATURED PLAYER NEWS

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2025 MLB Offseason Contract Breakdowns

Spotrac details the largest free agent signings and contract extensions across MLB throughout the 2025 offseason. READ MORE

TRANSACTIONS

Nov 06, 2024
Signed a 1 year $4 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
Dec 10, 2023
Signed a 1 year $4 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
Aug 01, 2023
Traded to Texas (TEX) from Pittsburgh (PIT) for International Bonus Pool Cap Space ($776,500)
Dec 20, 2022
Signed a 1 year $5 million contract with Pittsburgh (PIT)
Mar 22, 2022
Signed a 1 year $4 million contract with Cleveland (CLE), avoiding arbitration
Jan 15, 2021
Signed a 1 year $3.28 million contract with Cleveland (CLE), avoiding arbitration
Aug 31, 2020
Traded to Cleveland (CLE) from San Diego (SD) with Josh Naylor , Cal Quantrill , Gabriel Arias , Joey Cantillo and Owen Miller for Mike Clevinger, Greg Allen and Matt Waldron
Jan 10, 2020
Signed a 1 year $3 million contract with San Diego (SD), avoiding arbitration
Jan 11, 2019
Signed a 1 year $2.06 million contract with San Diego (SD), avoiding arbitration
Mar 24, 2018
Signed a 1 year $553,100 contract with San Diego (SD)
Feb 24, 2017
Signed a 1 year $537,100 contract with San Diego (SD)
Mar 04, 2016
Signed a 1 year $509,500 contract with San Diego (SD)
Aug 15, 2011
Signed a contract with San Diego (SD)
Jun 07, 2011
Drafted by San Diego (SD): Round 2 (#82 overall)

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