Article: The Torii Hunter Effect And What's Next

[Ted Schwerzler]

The year is 2015, Torii Hunter is 39 years old, and the Minnesota Twins are going to be looking at what's next for their heralded fan-favorite. Signed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract, Hunter stated that the Twins were the last team he would play for prior to returning to the fold this season. Now with 55 games under his belt, and a respectable season underway, the Twins are forced to start considering options.Through just over the first third of the 2015 season, Hunter has posted a .268/.325/.427 slash line. He's added eight long balls and is the team leader in RBI. Through 55 games of action, Hunter is worth a 1.0 fWAR and has virtually continued along his career trends (.279/.334/.464). At the plate, there is little doubt that Hunter has given the Twins everything they could have asked for and then some.

 

In the field, Hunter was expected to be more liability than asset, and that too has played out. He's been worth -6 DRS (defensive runs saved) and has a UZR (ultimate zone rating) of just 1.4. Having posted a career worst -18 DRS last season for the Tigers in 1114 innings, he is on pace to be right around that mark once again. He has also committed three errors in just 44 games, putting him on pace for what would be a career high, eight. Finally, his lone outfield assist has him on pace for just under three on the season, which would be the lowest mark for Hunter since 2009.

 

Obviously the least quantifiable measurement of Hunter's value to the 2015 Twins is what he has done off of the field in the form of veteran leadership. Between dance parties in the clubhouse, and a sense of early season accountability, Hunter has transformed what has been a culture of losing in recent seasons. Helping to push young players to new heights while allowing veterans to latch on to a vocal leader, Hunter has proved invaluable in that regard.

 

It may be his leadership however that causes the most questions for the Twins going forward. In 2016, the Twins should be full throttle into their youth movement. With star prospect Byron Buxton now called up, and youth in the form of Eddie Rosario and Kennys Vargas seeing regular playing time, the roster turnover has begun. Despite being surprisingly competitive in 2015, the Twins push toward relevance should have always been expected to really kick off with the 2016 season and beyond. Looking at what Hunter brings to the table, there's no doubt a question of where, and maybe even if, he fits in.

 

On one hand, it's quite apparent that Hunter's bat can still play. Despite looking at 40 years old in the 2016 season, Hunter could prove to once again be a valuable asset in the middle of the lineup. While that bat will no doubt be taking away opportunities from young, developing hitters, the Twins could choose to go that direction. On the other hand, the defensive liability Hunter has become should really not have a place in the big leagues going forward. With Buxton and Rosario holding down two spots, Aaron Hicks could be used to round out the outfield and provide an elite level of defense.

 

Minnesota factoring in Hunter for next season and beyond will no doubt be a topic of conversation in the coming months. If Torii is willing to be looked upon as solely a designated hitter, and in a rotation with other players at that, then the Twins would no doubt have to listen. Should Hunter want to remain a regular in the field as well however, the Twins may be better off asking him to lend his leadership capabilities in a coaching or consulting capacity.

 

Torii Hunter has given the Twins so much over his 19 year career, and the organization is all the better for it. In 2015, he continues to be more asset than liability and making sure that remains the scenario into the future is something both parties will have to discuss.

 

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[COtwin]

If there is going to be an extension. It needs to be a lower figure and with no guarantee for playing time. We are going to have a logjam at Corner OF and DH. I have been pleasantly surprised by his production, but it feels like he has come back to normal. Definitely not worth the money and slowing development of the future.

[hybridbear]

I'd offer him a coaching job for next year & no contract to play. If he still wants to play then he can go elsewhere. His bat isn't enough better than Vargas, Arcia, Pinto, etc to take at bats away from them as a DH next year and he doesn't belong in the outfield anymore.

[Halsey Hall]

When we let Torii go I was happy with that decision.  It was way to much money to spend to keep him and I didn't ever want to see the swing and miss again at the low and away breaking ball. 

 

This winter when we signed him back I was thrilled.  Things had been mighty drab around here for a few years and figured he'd inject some spark. And that he's done, plus playing pretty good ball.  I'm glad he's here. 

 

I've thought 2018 would be the year we could have a legit chance at winning the whole ball of wax.  That remains, as the young bloods would have 2 and 3 years of ML baseball under their belts. 

 

I just don't see a spot for Torii after this season as his most important assets is the spark and don't see how consulting or coaching would lend itself to that.  Maybe he could be the first cheerleader in Twins history.  Perhaps they give him an honorary position like they did Kirby. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

At the plate, there is little doubt that Hunter has given the Twins everything they could have asked for and then some.

Torii's OPS+ and wRC+ marks so far this year are his lowest since 2004.  Both figures are also presently below AL average for RFers or DHs.

 

There's still plenty of time for that to change, but if these trends hold, next year he will probably be below average with the bat (and that's assuming that age 40 doesn't accelerate the decline).  I really don't want to lock that into RF or DH yet.

 

If we still want to re-up Torii in the offseason, due to failures of other OF/DH options and/or a strong finish by Torii, I doubt we will be outbid.

[USAFChief]

Torii's OPS+ and wRC+ marks so far this year are his lowest since 2004.  Both figures are also presently below AL average for RFers or DHs.

 

There's still plenty of time for that to change, but if these trends hold, next year he will probably be below average with the bat (and that's assuming that age 40 doesn't accelerate the decline).  I really don't want to lock that into RF or DH yet.

 

If we still want to re-up Torii in the offseason, due to failures of other OF/DH options and/or a strong finish by Torii, I doubt we will be outbid.

Concur. Torii was a welcome and useful addition in 2015, IMO. He has helped them, is blocking nobody, and the handwringing over corner OF defense is misguided.

 

But there is zero need for an extension.

[jimmer]

Hunter has been an ever so slightly below average overall RF this year (WAR). Averagish offensively (tied for 15th out of 27 in wRC+), well below average defensively (20th out of 22 in DRS). We have worse problems than him at this point. 

Edited June 17, 2015 by jimmer

[Willihammer]

What do fans of Hunter's leadership think about bringing him back as a coach? Would the impact be there if he's not lacing up as a player?

[DaveW]

Hunter (like most of the Twins) is struggling as of late (.567 OPS in June), lets see how he bounces back before we even consider bringing him back, I wouldn't extend him prior to the end of the season regardless however. The reality is he will still be a 40 year old RF heading into 2016, if he ends up pricing himself out of the equation for the Twins in 2016 it's not a huge deal since they have an abundance of potential in house candidates and if those don't pan out finding a veteran corner OF to come on for a 1 year deal is the easiest thing to find on the free agent market. Well, besides AAAA type SP

[DaveW]

 

 

What do fans of Hunter's leadership think about bringing him back as a coach? Would the impact be there if he's not lacing up as a player?

I personally think the leadership is overblown, and I'm not sure he would make the greatest coach regardless.

[HitInAPinch]

When was the last time there was a player/coach in the MLB?

 

Gotta admit I seriously doubt Torii would accept the offer...

[troyhobbs]

My head says leave him go but my heart says re-sign him one more year (if the price is right).  Love Torii and IMO the only OF in the organization that might currently be better than him is Rosario.

[jimmer]

 

When was the last time there was a player/coach in the MLB?

 

.

I think it was Pete Rose. (though he was a manager).