Who saw this one coming? Now only did he sign on Thanksgiving Day, but Torii Hunter signed with the Angels. The news broke a little after midnight. It’s a five-year contract for $90MM. That’s a surprising $18MM annually for those poor in math. No one even knew the two sides were talking! Hunter just isn’t an $18MM player to me. I can see why he jumped on this.
The Halos now have six players for three outfield spots and one DH spot. Hunter will always be in center, and Vlad will always be at DH or in right. So then only two of Garret Anderson, Juan Rivera, Reggie Willits, and Gary Matthews Jr. will be in the lineup (unless someone goes to first base and knocks Casey Kotchman to the bench).
GM Tony Reagins says this doesn’t affect his other dealings, so perhaps he’s created these outfield and pitching surpluses to acquire Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada. Willits would be appealing to the Marlins, I imagine.
