Twins are looking to deal their gold glover Torri Hunter

[riverside sluggers]

Twins: Is Torii Hunter on the way out?

La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

September 16, 2005

 

Twins center fielder Torii Hunter has put his Golden Valley home on the market -- an indication of his personal uncertainty that he will be with the club in 2006. The uncertainty appears justified. The Twins will lay everything on the table over the next several weeks as the makeup of the 2006 roster is discussed, according to two Twins officials with knowledge of the team's offseason plans. Trading Hunter and unloading his large contract will be considered as an option, according to the officials.

 

Hunter, a four-time Gold Glove winner who broke his left ankle on July 29 in Boston, is one of the core players of a franchise that will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2001. He is one of the team's most popular players and was around when the Twins rose from the ashes to become competitive again. But the realities of the game, the fiscal history of the Twins and things he's picking up on the grapevine tell Hunter, 30, his future might not be as secure as he once believed. So his condominium is on the market.

 

"I'm putting it up for sale and will be renting an apartment," said Hunter, who made his debut with the Twins in 1997. "It's a business sometimes. I want to be here, but you never know what could happen. I've seen good friends leave here." Hunter has watched Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins and Corey Koskie leave through free agency. He has seen Eric Milton and A.J. Pierzynski traded before their salaries became too much of a burden. He looks at his 2006 salary of $10.75 million -- the highest single-season salary in club history -- and wonders if he's next.

 

"I thought he was kidding when he told me he was going to do it," Twins outfielder Jacque Jones said. "It was surprising." Hunter's decision seems odd on the surface but more understandable once the layers are peeled away. After 2006 -- the final year of a four-year contract -- the Twins have a $12 million option on Hunter for 2007, or a $2 million buyout. His value is better this offseason.

 

The Twins have several players due significant raises next season. Johan Santana will go from $4.75 million to $8.75 million; Joe Nathan from $2.1 million to $3.75 million; and Carlos Silva from $1.75 million to $3.2 million. The Twins have around $46 million in salaries committed to 10 players for next season. That doesn't include players who are arbitration eligible -- and the 2006 budget is unknown. Hunter said he has heard from people he trusts that he could be traded, although most Twins officials said they believe the club would have to be bowled over by an offer it couldn't refuse. Hunter isn't so sure finances won't dictate his departure.

 

"That's what I'm trying to tell you," he said. "I've heard that from a couple people who are real good sources. I'm human. When you hear that stuff, you're like, 'Wow, I better cover myself then.' If they want to, that's fine. That's why I understand the business side." Why consider dealing Hunter? At a salary at more than $10 million, could the Twins replace him with two good players making $5 million each? Could they find two players whose production has a greater impact on the offense?

 

"I want to win here with the Twins," Hunter reiterated. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said he has not spoken with Hunter about his future and declined to comment on the prospect of trading Hunter. "That's a personal decision," Ryan said of Hunter's condo- selling, "not a baseball decision."

 

Hunter was batting .269 with 14 homers and 56 RBI when he broke his ankle while trying to make a highlight-reel catch at Fenway Park. Since the season-ending injury, he has spent most of the time at his home in The Colony, Texas, watching all but a few games. There are different levels of pain. He has ignored most of the aches and pains of playing a daring center field over the years. The pain of breaking an important bone -- he was playing despite a broken small toe this season -- is different. But he said there's nothing like the pain of watching the Twins fail to make the playoffs after winning the American League Central three consecutive seasons.

 

"It's frustrating," he said. "You want to be out there. You know you can help those guys, but it's frustrating. I'm tearing up inside like those guys. I know that feeling." Hunter will be in the Twin Cities today to have his ankle examined by team doctors. He hopes the cast will be removed, and he will get the go-ahead to begin rehabilitation so he can be ready for next season. For which team, however, remains to be seen. "They are going to end up doing whatever they want to do," Hunter said. "Whatever happens, someone will want me. I don't want to leave. I'm trying to be a Twin."

 

Hunter is a tremendous center fielder who from 2001 through 2004 averaged 26.3 home runs and 92.3 RBI per season. He's also one of the few veteran leaders left in the clubhouse.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Do you think he's a potential fit with the Sox ?

[riverside sluggers]

eh no doubt he would be a great outfielder for the Sox (Trot only good one with a strong arm and throwing power), just 2 things (1) he's known to be injury prone (2) who would Sox trade him for

 

a big plus having him here is that in 23 games played at Fenway, he has feasted with a career .342 batting avg

[Sox Fan on Cape]

eh no doubt he would be a great outfielder for the Sox (Trot only good one with a strong arm and throwing power), just 2 things (1) he's known to be injury prone (2) who would Sox trade him for

 

a big plus having him here is that in 23 games played at Fenway, he has feasted with a career .342 batting avg

Like the BA, don't like the injuries and the salary plus trade. Unless, this is one of those unload salary and take a bag of balls.

[riverside sluggers]

ooh yea i think it is. In 2006 he is owed $10.75 million, in 2007 he is owed $12 million. So basically look for Yankees to try for a run at him

[Soxfan1]

Probably not. Maybe stewart will go. Not hunter.

[yankeessuck013]

yankees will be going after him.........HARD!

[Sox Fan on Cape]

yankees will be going after him.........HARD!

Makes sense, a much beeter fit.

[26 to 6]

yankees will be going after him.........HARD!

you know it. When I saw links to the reposrting newspapers earlier on prosportsdaily.com my mouth watered. Obviously my first choice would be Damon, but having Torii in the Bronx would be great. He reminiscent to bernie in his prime, just better with the only exception being the bat.

 

And we have a few guys we can trade for him thats names are not Cano, Hughes, Wang, or Duncan.

[CrespoBlows]

No you don't.

 

The Twins would be stupid if they didn't demand at least two of those from the list. If Billy Beane wants Hughes and Duncan for Kotsay, what makes you think that Ryan won't ask even more for the better player.

[26 to 6]

No you don't.

 

The Twins would be stupid if they didn't demand at least two of those from the list. If Billy Beane wants Hughes and Duncan for Kotsay, what makes you think that Ryan won't ask even more for the better player.

oops. I meant "do we have guys to trade?" Sorry.

 

But other options that are not any of the "big 4" include Elvyz Quezeda (misspelled), the guy who had the GREAT year in Staten Island (forget his name), Shelley Duncan (their 2B situation is not great, and Shelley has looked good all year), Mitch Jones (IL Home Run leader, a little older, around 27 I believe, but could be worked into a package), Depaula (to replace Loshe who will most likely be gone due to the fact that him and the front office dont have the best relationship, and he hasnt been that great, and DePaula before his surgery showed great potential and promise), I wouldnt mind giving up Crosby in return, he isnt going to progress much from here on out and seems like the type of guy that would fit in perfectly with the Twins.

 

The guys are there, I just dont know what kind of package we would have to put together.

[CrespoBlows]

oops. I meant "do we have guys to trade?" Sorry.

 

But other options that are not any of the "big 4" include Elvyz Quezeda (misspelled), the guy who had the GREAT year in Staten Island (forget his name), Shelley Duncan (their 2B situation is not great, and Shelley has looked good all year), Mitch Jones (IL Home Run leader, a little older, around 27 I believe, but could be worked into a package), Depaula (to replace Loshe who will most likely be gone due to the fact that him and the front office dont have the best relationship, and he hasnt been that great, and DePaula before his surgery showed great potential and promise), I wouldnt mind giving up Crosby in return, he isnt going to progress much from here on out and seems like the type of guy that would fit in perfectly with the Twins.

 

The guys are there, I just dont know what kind of package we would have to put together.

 

That's not even close to fair.

 

Duncan would be tempting, cause of his raw power. But Quezeda? Do you even know who he is? He didn't even set foot in Staten Island. His ERA was 5.94 in Tampa. So he's out. Mitch Jones is a lot like former Sox hand Earl Snyder, lots of HR's, lots of strikeouts. He's an AAAA player, who the Twins won't even show interest in. DePaula, isn't good. He's 26, and headed nowhere. Crosby is a pinchrunner/defensive replacement. Lew Ford can do that for them.

 

You got to up the ante on this one.

[CrespoBlows]

If I were the Yankees, I'd offer both Duncans (Eric and Shelly) along with Tyler Clippard, and another pitching prospect. That probably might intrigue the Twins.

[yankeessuck013]

I don't think the Sox will go after Hunter. While he is the best defensive CF in the AL, he doesn't have much plate dicipline. Theo is pretty big on that. That is part of the reason we didn't sign OCab.

 

But, If the Red Sox are unable to sign J.Damon then I could see Hunter in a Sox uniform.

[Pinstripe_Pride]

I'm salivating just thinking about Torri Hunter in CF for the Yankees.

[yankeessuck013]

It is unlikely Torii Hunter will be wearing another team's uniform in 2006.Responding to reports that Hunter was uncertain about his future with the team and was planning to sell his suburban Twin Cities home, the Twins' organization indicated Friday it does not intend to trade the center fielder during the offseason. Even if it sounds reasonable to essentially trade Hunter's $10.75 million 2006 salary for two veterans at the same price, it's highly unlikely to happen. Hunter, 30, is the face of the franchise, the unequivocal team leader, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner and one of the team's top run producers.

[26 to 6]

That's not even close to fair.

 

Duncan would be tempting, cause of his raw power. But Quezeda? Do you even know who he is? He didn't even set foot in Staten Island. His ERA was 5.94 in Tampa. So he's out. Mitch Jones is a lot like former Sox hand Earl Snyder, lots of HR's, lots of strikeouts. He's an AAAA player, who the Twins won't even show interest in. DePaula, isn't good. He's 26, and headed nowhere. Crosby is a pinchrunner/defensive replacement. Lew Ford can do that for them.

 

You got to up the ante on this one.

i didnt say he did, the coma was seperating Quezeda with the guy from staten island, i wasnt reffering Quezeda as the guy who played in Staten Island.

 

And I wasnt trying to say that those guys would get the deal done, I was just naming guys that cab be packaged. I know it would take a lot more than that. And on DePaula is a year out of Tommy John surgery. of coarse he isnt going to be that good. But he did make the Yankees rotation out of camp last year, pitched 7 perfect innings in his ML debut in 2003, and until this year showed great potential. A lot of clubs take chances on guys like this and a number of times come up big. You have to give him more than a year out of surgery to determine if he is going to be good or not.

 

I wouldnt want to trade Eric Duncan. I would try to work something out with other prospects in the organization. If we cant get something done then we should cut off the talks. Getting Hunter would be a great addition to any team, but I wouldnt give up my best prospect for a CFer who would be in CF for several years to come when I have a guy in the minors who is supposed to be our next Center Fielder. (Melky. And before everybody goes and starts bashing him, its not fair to say anything based on a premature callup. This kid is highly touted and has always been very good in the minors.)

[CrespoBlows]

I wouldnt want to trade Eric Duncan. I would try to work something out with other prospects in the organization. If we cant get something done then we should cut off the talks. Getting Hunter would be a great addition to any team, but I wouldnt give up my best prospect for a CFer who would be in CF for several years to come when I have a guy in the minors who is supposed to be our next Center Fielder. (Melky. And before everybody goes and starts bashing him, its not fair to say anything based on a premature callup. This kid is highly touted and has always been very good in the minors.)

 

If you're the GM of the Yankees, you would have been fired a long time ago.

 

Melky Caberera is a Corner Outfielder, that's where he plays his best defense. He probably won't be a good defensive outfielder in New York. It's not likely Steinbrenner, will allow his LF or RF to hit .270 with only 12-18 HR's. I'd rather use my massive budget, and go out and get Torrie Hunter. I'd deal Caberera, Wang, and Clippard if that's what it took to get the deal down.