Stick a fork in Hunter, he is done.

[drjim]

 

Yep. You got your wins from them. Yay, good job!

The key is to move on once you stop getting wins from them. As two vets on expiring contracts, this should be a relatively easy decision.

Will that happen? Probably not and that's aggravating.

 

Shouldn't we save some of the aggravation until they actually don't move on - assuming similar performance going forward.

 

I think Hunter especially has earned a little rope - though he could probably use a few more days off.

[DaveW]

 

Shouldn't we save some of the aggravation until they actually don't move on - assuming similar performance going forward.

 

I think Hunter especially has earned a little rope - though he could probably use a few more days off.

Hunter now has a 98 OPS+ in RF, and is not an asset in the field or on the paths.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I wouldn't trade Hunter but I would have started giving him days off some time ago to get Arcia's bat in the lineup.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Yep. You got your wins from them. Yay, good job!

The key is to move on once you stop getting wins from them. As two vets on expiring contracts, this should be a relatively easy decision.

Will that happen? Probably not and that's aggravating.

 

Right, should be traded now.....

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

How is winning games a detriment to the future? They are both FAs after the year.

Hunter and Pelfrey are not winning games anymore -- that's the point.  Be happy with the wins you got, but re-deploy them to wins more games once they are gone (and maybe hopefully win a few extra over the remainder of 2015).

[drjim]

 

Hunter and Pelfrey are not winning games anymore -- that's the point.  Be happy with the wins you got, but re-deploy them to wins more games once they are gone (and maybe hopefully win a few extra over the remainder of 2015).

 

Sounds good. I suspect it happens soon, especially for Pelfrey. I don't buy the veteran lock.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Shouldn't we save some of the aggravation until they actually don't move on - assuming similar performance going forward.

 

I think Hunter especially has earned a little rope - though he could probably use a few more days off.

Well, as you sort of hint at, we are actually past the point of moving on from Pelfrey.

 

I am not sure what the point is of giving these guys rope either, if they should be gone in 2016 anyway.  Arcia and May can almost certainly replicate their baseline contributions over the rest of 2015, with more upside too.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I don't buy the veteran lock.

The Pelfrey veteran lock was in effect when May was sent to weird bullpen limbo.  Hopefully they figure out the lock combination soon.

[drjim]

 

Well, as you sort of hint at, we are actually past the point of moving on from Pelfrey.

 

I am not sure what the point is of giving these guys rope either, if they should be gone in 2016 anyway.  Arcia and May can almost certainly replicate their baseline contributions over the rest of 2015, with more upside too.

 

Rope for Hunter because I'm not convinced Arcia/whoever comes up and matches out of the gate. I would gave an extra game or two a week and see.

 

The Plouffe leave comes very soon, I wonder if that triggers Arcia and other adjustments with the trade deadline.

 

Just seems there is going to be a handful of moves in the next week.

[Jham]

I bet my buddy that the Twins would have 2 or more 20 HR plus guys at the beginning of the year.  Dozier's there.  Arcia and Vargas flopped.  Sano was called up too late.  Basically Plouffe and Hunter need to start mashing!

[DaveW]

Hunter since July 1st: .169 BA .549 OPS

[howeda7]

OPS will soon be adding a factor for Veteran Presence. With that added in, it's at least .650.

Hunter since July 1st: .169 BA .549 OPS

 

[jimmer]

.238/.292/.420. and -8 DRS.  0.8 WAR.

[Platoon]

My baseball astute son said Hunter is done, and there is no way he should be back. I said you want to put up $20 and take the he won't be back card. I get the he will be back card. He said, "do you think I am nuts?" Tells you the faith we all have in TR to make a intelligent decision.

[Ncgo4]

I've always been a big fan of Hunter, but (you had to know there was a "but"). This year has been a total disappointment. He's now hitting .238 a full 40 points below is career average. His OBP is also down 40 points from his career average. Isn't it time to call someone up who can contribute a little more?

 

Do we have any one in the minors who could possibly hit? Say, someone currently hitting over .400 (during an admittedly small sample). Say, someone considered one of the BEST hitting prospects in baseball. Say, someone considered the best fielding prospect in baseball? Say someone with the potential to steal 50 bases per year?

 

I know, Hunter is great in the clubhouse, but usn't it really about time to call up Buxton?

[Platoon]

I totally agree! But I have no idea who you can be talking about. I don't think our relief pitchers in the minors eve hit, not to seek of .400? . All kidding aside, hopefully it's based on service time, because if it's based on the evaluation of talent, woe is MN!

[HitInAPinch]

A guy has a very successful 19yr. career and his stats are decreasing at age 40.  Stunning.

[Ncgo4]

Can make the same point about Mauer. He's hitting about .266 with a slugging % of .380. That's not even acceptable for a shortstop.

[jimmer]

 

Can make the same point about Mauer. He's hitting about .266 with a slugging % of .380. That's not even acceptable for a shortstop.

There are plenty of Mauer threads to discuss that on.  This is about Hunter.

[Pius Jefferson]

Find something wrong with him. Put him on the DL for 15 days and call Byron Buxton up. 

[DaveW]

Do Hunter a favor and trade him to a contender, any contender, he had too good of a career to end it with this dumpster fire this second half.

[howeda7]

Yes, I'm sure multiple contenders are clamoring for a 41 year-old who's hit .150 over the past 6 weeks and is poor on defense...

Do Hunter a favor and trade him to a contender, any contender, he had too good of a career to end it with this dumpster fire this second half.

 

[DaveW]

Another poor game. Hunter is toast, when hicks is back he needs to be playing twice a week at absolute most.

[Squirrel]

I agree. Not sure it'll happen, but you need to have Rosario, Buxton and Hicks as your outfield, IMO.

[jimmer]

.230/.289/.398, 0.1 WAR.  700K on field value.  Over 9M in intangible veteran leadership showing them how to win value.

[stringer bell]

Honestly, it should make it a lot easier for Ryan to walk away from Hunter after this year. Maybe that is a silver lining.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Honestly, it should make it a lot easier for Ryan to walk away from Hunter after this year. Maybe that is a silver lining.

I never thought that was a real concern in the first place. The Twins have too many outfielders as it is.

 

To me, the chance of Hunter returning was about the same as the chance of Pelfrey returning... Very low.

[DaveW]

It's gotten ugly. This is why I didn't want him back to begin with, it's a shame to see him go out like this.

 

Since Aug 1st: 24k's in 72 AB, .125/.220/.236

Since July 1st: .159/.225/.287

Once Hicks is back Hunter should only be getting 1 start a week.

For his credit though, he seems to be taking it pretty well, seems to still be a positive clubhouse/bench presence. So hopefully that continues.

[TheLeviathan]

To me, the chance of Hunter returning was about the same as the chance of Pelfrey returning... Very low.

 

 

Good analogy, not sure I agree on the odds though.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Good analogy, not sure I agree on the odds though.

While we all question the Twins' decision making at times, a Hunter signing - with the idea he'll be a starting player - is so mind-bogglingly dumb I can't see the Twins doing it.

 

If he takes a $2m deal with the idea he'll get maybe 200 PAs, I could see that happening... I wouldn't like it much but I could see it happening. But Ryan has to realize there's no space in the 2016 outfield for Torii Hunter. I don't see how he couldn't.