At least ten teams have reached out to express interest in Torii Hunter, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today, and the free agent’s most aggressive suitors are in the very familiar AL Central. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Royals, Twins, Tigers, Cubs, Giants, Rangers and Mariners have all shown some early interest in Hunter (Twitter links). Hunter’s preference is to remain in Detroit, he adds, but his fate may be tied to that of Victor Martinez, as the Tigers likely can’t re-sign both.
Though Hunter turns 40 next July, he still enjoyed a productive season at the plate in a fairly pitcher-friendly home environment, hitting .286/.319/.446 with 17 homers in 586 plate appearances. His defensive game, however, appears to have slipped as Defensive Runs Saved pegged him at -18 runs and Ultimate Zone Rating agreed (-18.3).
Given his age, I’d think Hunter’s priority would be signing with a team he expects to contend in 2015 rather than maxing out his contract or perhaps making a sentimental return to his former Minneapolis stomping grounds.
Let’s go Rangers, get it done.
Welcome too New York…..Tori……
2yr.24mil…….DH……a little RF……
Don’t the Yankees already have like 12 guys to fill that role?
But those 12 may get injured…..need 13……
He’s also too young for the Yankees.
to*
*too meaning also. .. got it
Since the Giants are not scheduled to win their next WS until 2016, I would hope that they are not serious about Hunter. …he will be 41 by then.
Ha.
I would think he’d add some depth to that roster, though I wouldn’t be opposed to Mike Morse returning.
Yeah. I like Morse also and would like to she him around for the honeymoon come next season.
Hunter goes back to Minnesota and in the final game of his career robs a would-be go ahead home run in the 9th inning with 2 outs
From a rejuvenated Barry Bonds.
…to prevent a 4th consecutive 90 loss season.
My guess was that he was going to retire. .
1. Hunter and Ichiro is the perfect “Old Guy Platoon” at $12MM total. Righty Hunter better at hitting. Lefty Ichiro better at Fielding and Running.
Both could see game action for the same team in about 120 games. Both would be excellent pinch hitters. Plus Ichrio could get some relief pitching in!
2. Tigers are not signing him until VMART is settled one way or another. May be too late for them.
Hunter will be the consolation prize to the loser for V Mart’s services. Ichiro and Aoki would be a great platoon system for Detroit to get a left handed bat for the #1,#2 or #9 spot in the order. If Detroit loses V Mart, you could have Hunter/Davis mix and match with them. It should cost approx. $20 mill total for all three.
Have the Angels completed their time machine yet? Really need to go back and sign Hunter not Hamilton.
They could go out and resign him now.. Angels could still definitely use him as an OF/DH.
I predicted him signing with the Rangers. He has a home in Texas(if I’m not mistaken) and the Rangers need a RF to replace Rios.
No tyrone….put down the pipe….before you post……
The Twins have bigger needs to fill than bringing back Torii Hunter
I doubt the Giants are serious about signing him. I think they take a flier on Alex Rios to replace Morse, because Morse was never a good fit for AT&T. Rios isn’t much better, but the keyword there is much, meaning there is a margin of difference.
Cubs are “in” on everyone. That’s the doing of the players’ agents more than the Cubs actually having an interest in Hunter IMHO.