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Molitor Pushing Hunter Reunion

Parker Hageman

By Parker Hageman
in Minnesota Twins Talk

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AWOLNATION_11 College Ball

AWOLNATION_11

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I think Hunter probably goes to LF if the Twins bring him in.  He's not likely to improve that OF defense much, but he does still have a useful bat, and I personally think having him in the clubhouse has value.  Once the deadline rolls around, if a guy like Rosario has played well, ship Hunter to a contender to give him one last pennant race, open up a spot for a youngster, and hopefully reap the benefits of having had Hunter in the clubhouse the majority of the season.

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whydidnt Draft Eligible

whydidnt

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One other reason I really don't like the idea of bringing Hunter in: It seems to be more of the "same" from an organization that desperately needs to try something new. There seems to be a strong desire to keep bringing guys from the past and going with players with no or limited upside, supposedly "safe", I guess. But at 39 years old, no player is a sure thing to continue to produce. 

 

The focus really needs to change to bringing in players that are difference makers and at this point Hunter is not one.

Major League Ready Wichita Wind Surge

Major League Ready

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Go get Rasmus and transition Rosario in when he is ready.  When Buxton arrives (likely 2016) we would have a very versatile group that can play D and steal a bunch of bases.  How much more entertaining would that group be to watch in comparison to Delmon, Parmelee, and others we have had to watch patrol the OF for this team?

 

Get Rasmus on a 3 year deal and trade him at some point if we are so fortunate to have other prospects work out.

JB_Iowa Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

JB_Iowa

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RandBall ‏@RandBall  · 48m48 minutes ago 
Had a fun chat with Eddie Guardado. He's in Texas for thanksgiving with LaTroy Hawkins and Torii Hunter. #MNTwins

 

 

Hmm....

Rosterman Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

Rosterman

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My wife, a diehard Twins fan (unlike me, a dieharded Twins fan) just poked her head into my room and said "The Twins are seriously talking to Torii Hunter. I would seriously revisit purchasing a season ticket package again."

 

He may be old, he may not be the centerfielder of yore, but he does have some marketing potential for the Twins (as would a Johan Santana reunion that could produce at least one start) above and beyond us diehardened fans who frequent places like Twins Daily.

 

Sure, I want only one year, I don't want to see more than $5 million spent, and I hope Vargas holds down the DH spot and someone, anyone, advances to leftfield, be it Hicks or Rosario or whomever -- I do wish Buxton was far enough along that we could advance him like Hicks before AAA time, and allow him to feel (and struggle).

 

But those are the words of my wife, who actually buys the tickets in this family (I'm happy to go).

nicksaviking MVP

nicksaviking

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http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/11/texas-rangers-on-torii-hunters-short-list.html/

 

 

Hunter told the Los Angeles Daily News on Saturday that Baltimore, Seattle and the Rangers are at the top of his list. Hunter said Minnesota, his otoriginal club, is also a possibility but not as likely as the other clubs

 

Pretty sure Texas is drafting ahead of the Twins this year.  Funny how teams not afraid to have a reasonable payroll always appear to be closer to contention.

whydidnt Draft Eligible

whydidnt

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Pretty sure Texas is drafting ahead of the Twins this year.  Funny how teams not afraid to have a reasonable payroll always appear to be closer to contention.

That's a good point, but Dallas is also where Hunter lives, and they were completely devastated by injuries last year, otherwise they may have been contenders. 

lightfoot789 Draft Eligible

lightfoot789

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With a healthy Prince Fielder - They become contenders rght away.  We don't have one of those guys quite yet.  And their pitchng will surely improve via FA and healthy returners.

TheLeviathan MVP

TheLeviathan

Old-Timey Member
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Pretty sure Texas is drafting ahead of the Twins this year.  Funny how teams not afraid to have a reasonable payroll always appear to be closer to contention.

 

Um, their problem wasn't a lack of talent like the Twins.  Their problem was they filled an infirmary with talent last year.

REPETE College Ball

REPETE

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http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/11/texas-rangers-on-torii-hunters-short-list.html/

 

 

Hunter told the Los Angeles Daily News on Saturday that Baltimore, Seattle and the Rangers are at the top of his list. Hunter said Minnesota, his otoriginal club, is also a possibility but not as likely as the other clubs

This to me is just fine. If he signs with another club for big $$$, god bless him, and best of luck to him. If not, and he signs here for a greatly reduced contract, with a promise to join the minors as a coach when his playing time is done, I'm all for it!

Steven Buhr College Ball

Steven Buhr

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The harsh reality is that, at this point, the supply of FA outfielders who could really improve the Twins is pretty limited. Hunter just saw his list of potential landing spots drop by one, with Seattle signing Cruz.

 

I think he wants to sign with Texas, but Baltimore just became a strong 2nd when they didn't re-sign Cruz.

 

I imagine the Twins are mostly a fallback option in his eyes and it would be for far less guaranteed money than Texas or Baltimore.

tobi0040 Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

tobi0040

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The harsh reality is that, at this point, the supply of FA outfielders who could really improve the Twins is pretty limited. Hunter just saw his list of potential landing spots drop by one, with Seattle signing Cruz.

 

I think he wants to sign with Texas, but Baltimore just became a strong 2nd when they didn't re-sign Cruz.

 

I imagine the Twins are mostly a fallback option in his eyes and it would be for far less guaranteed money than Texas or Baltimore.

 

I agree.  He probably wants us there in case he gets shut out by everyone else

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

Old-Timey Member
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Good point, SD Buhr....which is why, imo, you don't wait to sign FAs until "you only need 1 more player", because there might not be any around you like that year. Add talent on multi-year deals when you need talent, and when it is available, that's my belief.

 

If Hunter is the best FA OF, go with Rosario, Hicks, Schaefer.......Hunter isn't going to be here in 2 years, and they aren't winning anything next year w/o other major additions. 

Kirby_waved_at_me First Round Pick

Kirby_waved_at_me

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The Twins' courtship with Hunter reminds me of a 80s teen comedy situation in which the nerdy boy waits and waits for the girl to pick him without accepting that she's only stringing him along in case every other option falls through.

 

Get over it - go out with somebody else!

Steven Buhr College Ball

Steven Buhr

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Good point, SD Buhr....which is why, imo, you don't wait to sign FAs until "you only need 1 more player", because there might not be any around you like that year. Add talent on multi-year deals when you need talent, and when it is available, that's my belief.

 

If Hunter is the best FA OF, go with Rosario, Hicks, Schaefer.......Hunter isn't going to be here in 2 years, and they aren't winning anything next year w/o other major additions. 

Strictly from a baseball standpoint, this is arguably true.

 

But we also know baseball is a business and I'm not sure that the Twins will decide that standing pat with their OF is something they can sell to their fan base. If not, you may well see them throw a few million at a Hunter-like option to begin the season, knowing that they may well flip the guy mid year if one of the OF prospects is ready and/or the team is buried deep in the standings.

Monkeypaws FCL Twins

Monkeypaws

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Torii, being the competitor he is, will likely go where the wins are. Texas makes a lot of sense for him, as he lives there.

 

As long as he feels he can play, he probably will chase that ring before becoming a good-will ambassador and nostalgia piece for the Twins.

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

Old-Timey Member
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MLBTR saying M's are going to DH Cruz. Still looking for an OFer

 

Is Hunter an OF though? In another large stadium? I wouldn't do that. I'd totally sign him to DH if I was a contender, or close to contender. 

whosafraidofluigirussolo Draft Eligible

whosafraidofluigirussolo

Verified Member
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Speculation:

The reports on Molitor pushing for a reunion with Hunter don't include that Molitor's offer was to be more a veteran bench player and part-time starter than a full-time outfielder;

Hunter went looking for a team that would offer him regular starts and either found TEX, SEA and BAL willing to do so, or found no offers of a starting role and started to prioritize a contending team at that point.

 

 

As long as he feels he can play, he probably will chase that ring before becoming a good-will ambassador and nostalgia piece for the Twins.

Torii's known for spreading good will everywhere he goes, isn't he...

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