What happened: Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti and manager Stephen Vogt highlighted the leadership and clubhouse presence Hedges provided over his past three seasons with the club during their end-of-season remarks following the ALCS exit.

Why it matters: With the veteran backstop entering unrestricted free agency this winter, Cleveland's front office must weigh his cultural influence and pitching-staff rapport against roster flexibility at catcher. Vogt credited that inherited clubhouse culture as a primary driver of the club's continued postseason contention.

What to watch: Cleveland faces an offseason decision on whether to offer Hedges a new contract before free agent negotiations open across the league.