Article: Torii Hunter Might Not Retire After 2015

[Parker Hageman]

That was the statement Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter told MLB Network Radio’s Steve Phillips on Sunday.

 

Hunter, a veteran of 18 years in the majors, made it clear that he had offers coming in from multiple teams that made it to the postseason or were contending to the end. The Orioles, Royals and Mariners were all reaching out for him. In the end, however, the lure of his original team proved too strong.“When I started talking to the Twins I had a relationship with [general manager] Terry Ryan and we just had a great conversation, man, and Eddie Guardado called me, he’s the bullpen coach now, and he’s talking about how much fun we can make this clubhouse,” Hunter told MLB Network Radio the reason why he signed a one-year deal with Minnesota rather than pursue pennants.

 

“You know you’re talking about a place where I grew up and played 15 years in this organization and got to know everybody in this organization so this is where I learned how to be a Major League baseball player and not just that - to be a man and earn how to pay bills and financial literacy and all these different things. So I had flashbacks and I was thinking about all of that and I said ‘OK, I’m gonna come back and finish my career here.’”

 

From the Twins’ perspective Hunter’s experience and ability to connect with the younger players played a role in their decision to target him. “We like his play but just as important we needed a presence and a little

and I think guys like [byron] Buxton, [Eddie] Rosario and [Oswaldo] Arcia, those types of outfielders, will gravitate towards Torii,” general manager Terry Ryan told the show over the weekend.

 

When asked if that career will be finished at the end of 2015, Hunter was coy. Performance and the Twins’ willingness to bring him back will be the determining factor.

 

“If I go out and I hit .280-plus and put up 17 home runs like I been doing the last couple of years and do 80 RBIs or more, I’m coming back,” Hunter said. “I gotta get this out of my system. Who wouldn’t want those numbers to have on their team? And if I can come back and the Twins allow me back, I’ll come back again as long as I retire in a Twins uniform.”

 

At 38-years-old, Hunter has experienced some declining defense over the past several seasons and has shifted to right field but offensively he has managed to stay above average in production while losing ground in the on-base percentage department. Even if Hunter does hit the milestones he mentioned it is difficult to see the Twins, who have a glut of outfield prospects, bringing him back in 2016.

 

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[Platoon]

I can't even think of any words that could appropriately convey my excitement at hearing this wonderful news! Hopefully they are working on an extension as we type!

[gunnarthor]

Not really surprising, most players want to stick around.  We'll see how he does this year.

[nicksaviking]

I know there are going to be plenty of eye-rolls and some indignation, but this was his quote:

 

“If I go out and I hit .280-plus and put up 17 home runs like I been doing the last couple of years and do 80 RBIs or more, I’m coming back,”

 

Assuming those kind of hypothetical numbers are inline with more modern stats, why wouldn't he come back?  Even if a guy had to spend most of his time at DH, those numbers would be useful to most teams.

 

Now if those numbers were somehow accompanied by a .680 OPS, than eyerolls would be warrented.

[woolywoolhouse]

Would Hunter be willing to come back in a Jim Thome-type role (at least, the planned role until Mornuea's concussion) in 2010? Meaning a bat off the bench, occasional DH, and 4th- or 5th-outfielder in 2016? With Rosario and Buxton looking to come up sometime this year in the outfield, and if Arcia and Vargas keep their bats in the lineup, and Hicks can do enough to stay in the majors, where else would you/could you put or use him?

[HitInAPinch]

"made it clear that he had offers coming in from multiple teams that made it to the postseason or were contending to the end."

 

Funny, in the latest Gleeman & the Geek they were talking about how many players say exactly the same thing.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Would Hunter be willing to come back in a Jim Thome-type role (at least, the planned role until Mornuea's concussion) in 2010? Meaning a bat off the bench, occasional DH, and 4th- or 5th-outfielder in 2016?

Probably a better comparable would be Jim Edmonds 2010.

 

But even if Hunter was willing, I don't think it would be worth it from the Twins perspective.  Hunter has a much lower offensive ceiling than either Thome or Edmonds, and he also doesn't bat from the left side, meaning he is much less valuable in a PH or bat off the bench role.

 

Also, unlike Edmonds, presumably Hunter isn't a good option to cover CF anymore.  So you'd still need another backup outfielder too.

 

And we should have plenty of guys by 2016 who can use the DH at-bats (Vargas hopefully, plus Mauer, Sano, Arcia, Pinto, etc.).  All of them pretty much at Hunter's current offensive levels or better.

[beckmt]

I have more of a feeling the Hunter will be traded to a club that needs him and is willing to give something useful back to the Twins at the end of July or in August.  That is presuming the Twins are not contending this year.  Twins need to make room toward the end of the year for the prospects arriving and Hunter's role would greatly diminish at that time.  This all assumes that Vargas will make the team out of spring training.  Do not see that as written in stone. 

[gunnarthor]

 

I have more of a feeling the Hunter will be traded to a club that needs him and is willing to give something useful back to the Twins at the end of July or in August.  That is presuming the Twins are not contending this year.  Twins need to make room toward the end of the year for the prospects arriving and Hunter's role would greatly diminish at that time.  This all assumes that Vargas will make the team out of spring training.  Do not see that as written in stone. 

I think Vargas gets first crack at DH but if he fails, than either Hunter or Arcia probably gets moved there.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I have more of a feeling the Hunter will be traded to a club that needs him and is willing to give something useful back to the Twins at the end of July or in August. 

I don't know about that.  The Twins took a lot of public relations heat for losing Torii once, and gained a ton of good PR when they signed him back.  I doubt they are planning to deal him off again a few months later for what would almost certainly be a modest return (probably a Jason Adam / Sean Gilmartin level player?).

[USAFChief]

I don't know about that.  The Twins took a lot of public relations heat for losing Torii once, and gained a ton of good PR when they signed him back.  I doubt they are planning to deal him off again a few months later for what would almost certainly be a modest return (probably a Jason Adam / Sean Gilmartin level player?).

Concur.

 

He wasn't signed to be traded.

[Platoon]

Concur.

He wasn't signed to be traded.

Sadly I agree. Leaving us with the prospect of a non contender, and an outfield spot blocked by a 39? year old.

[Seth Stohs]

Hunter was clear about this at his introductory press conference too. He basically said if he played well and felt right he might keep playing.

[KGB]

 

I don't know about that.  The Twins took a lot of public relations heat for losing Torii once, and gained a ton of good PR when they signed him back.  I doubt they are planning to deal him off again a few months later for what would almost certainly be a modest return (probably a Jason Adam / Sean Gilmartin level player?).

He also has a non-trade clause, which he could waive but I don't think he is going anywhere.

 

12:04pm: Hunter’s contract contains a full no-trade clause, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter).

[Thrylos]

 

Would Hunter be willing to come back in a Jim Thome-type role (at least, the planned role until Mornuea's concussion) in 2010? Meaning a bat off the bench, occasional DH, and 4th- or 5th-outfielder in 2016?

 

I think that by the All-Star break (or even earlier, if Vargas collapses or get hurt) that would be Hunter's exact role in 2015

[nicksaviking]

 

I don't know about that.  The Twins took a lot of public relations heat for losing Torii once, and gained a ton of good PR when they signed him back.  I doubt they are planning to deal him off again a few months later for what would almost certainly be a modest return (probably a Jason Adam / Sean Gilmartin level player?).

 

True, but by the end of August, after Hunter slides through waivers, if the Twins did end up trading him would anyone notice if the team is once again in "sell mode".  All but about 10 TVs are turned off by then.

[jay]

 

Sadly I agree. Leaving us with the prospect of a non contender, and an outfield spot blocked by a 39? year old.

 

One year contracts and blocked very rarely belong in the same conversation. It's pretty well established that the Twins have a present day need for a corner OFer without sufficient in-house options ready for early 2015.

 

If he somehow comes back in a starting role next year (which I doubt), it'd be due to some scenario resulting in the same situation.

Edited March 16, 2015 by jay

[Kwak]

Hunter can play as long as he wants--so long as it isn't with the Twins!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

True, but by the end of August, after Hunter slides through waivers, if the Twins did end up trading him would anyone notice if the team is once again in "sell mode".  All but about 10 TVs are turned off by then.

You don't have to have your TV turned on to notice a trade.  And I wasn't speculating on ticket sales or TV ratings.  Just simply stating that trading Hunter would probably be another PR hit for very little (if any) on-field gain.

 

The people that posted excitedly to Facebook when they signed Hunter would post again, asking "Why?"  Same for the people who lined up to see him at TwinsFest.  His presence was sold as improving the team; dumping him for a marginal minor leaguer would confuse that message and frustrate a lot of commentators/fans.

 

Imagine if the Wolves flipped Garnett for a D-leaguer.

[jokin]

 

Not really surprising, most players want to stick around.  We'll see how he does this year.

 

It's surprising to a lot of folks who assume that Torii will be gone by July.  Barring a Kubel-esque collapse, expect an extension by July 31.

[jokin]

 

Sadly I agree. Leaving us with the prospect of a non contender, and an outfield spot blocked by a 39? year old.

 

Hunter will be 40 on July 18.  Expect an extension on or around his birthday.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I know there are going to be plenty of eye-rolls and some indignation, but this was his quote:

 

“If I go out and I hit .280-plus and put up 17 home runs like I been doing the last couple of years and do 80 RBIs or more, I’m coming back,”

 

 

I would like to hear Torii say: 

 

"Granted, my UZR dipped to -18.3 at Comerica but my wRC+ is still strong and if my BABIP and slash lines see positive linear regression, I'm coming back."

[USAFChief]

How many of us would turn down the chance to do something we love, where the minimum salary is $500k, if offered?

[Brock Beauchamp]

There would be no PR hit if the Twins traded Hunter and called up, say, Buxton.

 

If anything, fan interest would go up, not down... With all but the dumbest of casual fans, anyway.

[highlander]

 

Hunter can play as long as he wants--so long as it isn't with the Twins!

Why the hate? Torii's all about the love!

[jorgenswest]

My guess is Hunter will have a good half season and get an extension. Either that or he will be in full decile mode this year. Either way Minnesota is sure to get the decline.

 

It's the Twins way. Sign a guy, get a few good months and then let them play through the decline. Sometimes they do it with an extension like a Doumit or Burton. Sometime times they pay for it upfront like Willingham

After they extend Hunter, Stauffer will be next in line.

[jay]

It's the Twins way. Sign a guy, get a few good months and then let them play through the decline.

Where are these few good months going to come from? I thought the age curves show Hunter should've been dead about a decade ago?

Edited March 17, 2015 by jay

[Kwak]

 

Why the hate? Torii's all about the love!

It's not hate. Torii isn't the guy I paid to see 8+ years ago, he is simply an over-the-hill ballplayer. Hunter isn't "the solution" and he isn't "the future"--he's "the past".

Edited March 17, 2015 by Kwak

[gunnarthor]

 

It's not hate. Torii isn't the guy I paid to see 8+ years ago, he is simply an over-the-hill ballplayer. Hunter isn't "the solution" and he isn't "the future"--he's "the past".

His "over the hill" bat was still better than a lot of other Twins last year. 

[Platoon]

One year contracts and blocked very rarely belong in the same conversation. It's pretty well established that the Twins have a present day need for a corner OFer without sufficient in-house options ready for early 2015.

 

If he somehow comes back in a starting role next year (which I doubt), it'd be due to some scenario resulting in the same situation.

"Presnt day" and "same situation" are two terms that the Twins should never use. To me the connotations are they are either viewing this team as a team that can win, or that next year nothing has changed. One is an illusion, the other is mind boggling. I understand that normally a one year deal is not a blocker, but in this situation someone should be getting time in the OF after the trading deadline. I don't see Hunter as someone who will be easy to sit down! The bottom line is a team of the future is being run like a team of the present. Nothing good can come from that.