Pioneer Press scribe Charley Walters chatted with Torii Hunter about his interest in returning to the Twins. Hunter was at his son's game at Notre Dame on Saturday. Hunter definitely is not lacking in confidence but he does seem to have his priority on winning. 

 

 

 

"I would come over to win," he said. "All that stuff everybody talks about, 'a great guy in the clubhouse,' that's extra -- that's not No. 1. The No. 1 thing is look at my numbers. They're still the same, one of the most consistent hitters in baseball over my career.

"But sometimes I guess my character and clubhouse presence and just that fire that I have, I think, overshadows a lot. But no matter what, if I didn't put up those numbers, I don't care what kind of personality or drive you have, not many people are going to want you.

 

He actually produced well last season. The ability to hit and generate power and drive in runs is still there. At least, probably one more season's worth.

 

I know the glove, instincts, knowledge and experience are all still there. They don't really ever go away. The question remains, could his legs hold up enough for one more season of at least decent defense. I know the various metrics all say he was terrible last season. But stats don't always tell the whole story. There is also the eye test: was he ok with what he got to, did he look as though he was moving while dragging a stone behind him, etc. And I didn't see him play enough last season to answer any of these questions.

 

How bad did he look last season? Could he really be worse than Kubel, Willingham, Collabello in LF for one year? I'm honestly asking here.

How bad did he look last season? Could he really be worse than Kubel, Willingham, Collabello in LF for one year? I'm honestly asking here.

Wrong question. Can he be significantly better than those guys?

 

With our run scoring improvement, I would like to aim high for OF defense for a change.

Wrong question. Can he be significantly better than those guys?

 

With our run scoring improvement, I would like to aim high for OF defense for a change.

 

Nailed it.  The Twins aren't processing and accepting the right data to trace the path of least resistance towards incremental improvement.  Wrong question, for sure. They presumably think that Hunter will sell more tickets.  That is the wrong solution to the wrong question.