Torii Hunter and the Twins in 2013

[Nick Nelson]

What the Twins need for RF next year is a stopgap who can step aside when a guy like Arcia, Benson or Hicks proves ready for a shot. Hunter doesn't really fit the bill because he'll still see himself as a full-time guy (deserving of a full-time salary).

[DaveW]

What the Twins need for RF next year is a stopgap who can step aside when a guy like Arcia, Benson or Hicks proves ready for a shot. Hunter doesn't really fit the bill because he'll still see himself as a full-time guy (deserving of a full-time salary).

If it's Hicks or Benson I think they should replace Revere in CF (All this assumes Span is gone by then, which he may not be) Ideally Revere ultimately ends up back as your 4th OF unless he can outperform Hunter.

 

In a perfect world our end of year OF next year would be Willingham, Hicks (CF), and Arcia/Benson.

[striker_86]

If they trade Span then its worth a shot, otherwise no way.

[TheLeviathan]

I'm not saying Hunter would prefer Minnesota over Texas, I'm saying Texas will probably not have the at bats for him nor the desire to bring him in. (unless they get rid of Hamilton+another OF)

 

Also FWIW: Murphy and Moreland are both outpreforming Hunter by quite a bit, plus they have the advantage of being millions of dollars cheaper and not 37 years old.

I find it funny you mention an aging Michael Young who still is 2 years younger than Hunter.

 

Time to let this one go Lev and move on.

I'm not saying it makes perfect sense for Texas. I'm simply saying that we can throw around assumptions until we're blue in the face. Hell, he could be ok platooning with Murphy for all you or I know.

[BrentMpls]

Nope.

 

I don't want to see Torri here. Torri is about Torri, not about the team.

[jm3319]

Nostalgia can often hinder one's vision. I think it would be a mistake. Let's move forward with the pieces we have or will have and leave that past glory where it remains now. If you think about it' date=' it wasn't all that glorious to begin with.[/quote']

 

Thank you. Well said.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

If BOTH Willingham and Span are traded, signing Torii Hunter would be a great idea. Span is as good as gone, but I think we'll keep Josh. I just don't see it happening with Willingham, Revere, and Mastroianni all playing good baseball. Hicks and Arcia are knocking on the door too.

[Brandon]

I think Minnesota is the most logical spot for Torii. I guess he could replace Delmon in Detroit or goto Cleveland. But he has played here for a long time. I can see a 1 year deal if Span is traded (I hope they trade him after the season if they do there is no reason to trade him now as there is no one to replace him). I can see a 1 year 4 -6 million but I can only see this signing after we address the rotation.

[James]

I don't see Torii as a fit. Arcia, Hicks and Benson are all close and could be competing for an outfield spot next year. And if we are truly rebuilding, these are the guys you want out there getting experience. Even if they're not ready by the beginning of next season, you can plug the RF hole with Parmelee.

 

I get the veteran presence argument, but the team already has vets like Willingham, Doumit, Morneau and Mauer.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

What the Twins need for RF next year is a stopgap who can step aside when a guy like Arcia, Benson or Hicks proves ready for a shot. Hunter doesn't really fit the bill because he'll still see himself as a full-time guy (deserving of a full-time salary).

Even if you make the assumption that:

 

- Hunter would truely consider coming back to the Twins

- He could be had for a 1/2 year deal under $10 mil

 

I don't think that there is really a spot here for him. I agree that the Twins need a 1-2 year guy, but Hunter needs to DH o a semi-regular basis as well. The Twins have that spot spoken for with the Doumit/Mauer/Morneau trifecta. I think he could bring some life back to the clubhouse, along with another decent right-handed stick, but I don't see this being as good fit on this team as the roster is currently constructed.

[Boom Boom]

If the Twins have the money to spend on Hunter, they should probably invest it in pitching instead.

[Shane Wahl]

All money spent should go to starting pitching and MAYBE a middle infielder. I would prefer, if everything hit the fan, that Mastroianni, Carson, and Ramirez were given a competition for RF instead of spending 6-8 million on Hunter.

[Yoshii]

I like it, after all I do have a 2012 signed Torii Hunter Twins cap. Still taking bids for it btw.

[DPJ]

Hunter on a one year deal makes a ton of sense, he's still a viable bat with enough defense to not kill you on the corners. Move Revere to LF, Willingham to DH and that's a respectable stop gap to see where Hicks, Arcia & Benson are in 2013.

 

I guess alot depends on what happens with Span over the next couple weeks.

[minn55441]

Love Tori Hunter, he was one of my favorite Twin's and I still enjoy watching him on the Angels, but their is no room for him on our roster. We have plenty of outfielders even after we trade away one at the dealine. We have some very cost effective options at all of the outfield postions for many years to come. All FA money must and I repeat must be spent on pitching.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Hunter on a one year deal makes a ton of sense, he's still a viable bat with enough defense to not kill you on the corners. Move Revere to LF, Willingham to DH and that's a respectable stop gap to see where Hicks, Arcia & Benson are in 2013.

 

I guess alot depends on what happens with Span over the next couple weeks.

Not just Span, do they leave Parmalee in AAA all next year? The guy needs a spot and doesn't seem to have much to prove in Rochester... SSS I know, but the kid is ripping the cover off the ball. While he is not a RFer, he has played there, and letting him play there during what will likely be a semi-competitive season might not be a bad option at all. But if that spot isn't his, then where exactly do you put him? I'd probably dump Butera and keep Doumit as the backup C, but that apprently isn't an option.

[DaveW]

If the Twins have the money to spend on Hunter, they should probably invest it in pitching instead.

Yeah, because all those 1 year 5 mil contracts we handed out to pitchers over the past decade have worked out so well.

 

Think of it this way, we can replace Capps with Hunter!

[DaveW]

Hunter on a one year deal makes a ton of sense, he's still a viable bat with enough defense to not kill you on the corners. Move Revere to LF, Willingham to DH and that's a respectable stop gap to see where Hicks, Arcia & Benson are in 2013.

 

I guess alot depends on what happens with Span over the next couple weeks.

I'd prefer to move Revere to 4th OF the second one of Benson or Hicks is ready to take over CF.

[nicksaviking]

Sounds more like a PR move the team would make after getting rid of the rest of the vets. However, I don't think Hunter would be too excited to come to a rebuilding team. His swing would probably play into Target Field's sweet spot however, just as Willingham and Plouffe seem to be currently benefiting. No doubt the Twins will continue to look for right handed free agent bats with average to above average power moving forward.

[PseudoSABR]

As kab suggested, if you trade both Willingham and Span, signing Hunter to one year deal (with an option year) to help make up the gap between Arcia/Benson/Hicks makes some sense.