Should/Will Twins re-sign Torii Hunter?

[John Bonnes]

I presume the prevailing opinion out here is that they should not, but maybe there are some who feel differently. After all, Rosario and Hicks and Buxton and Arcia and Kepler all should have significant question marks.

 

But will they? Local, fan favorite, team leader, proclaimed mentor...and he might be that much cheaper to sign. I'm a lot less sure about that. What do your crystal ball say?

[Mike Sixel]

It says I'm done paying attention to the team, if they do. I'll just pay attention to some other team when I move.

 

He's old. He's not good. There are young players available. It would be a decision worth firing the GM over, imo. And I would say that if I thought the GM was awesome.

 

There is zero upside to signing him. Zero.

[RichardMcBeef]

Should they: Absolutely not.

Will they: With this front office? It's possible.

[USMCTwin]

I would rather he transition into a front office/manager type role and stay in the organization, but I would re-sign him if and only if it was on a understanding that he will be the 4th of'er type. Frankly I don't think Torii will take that type of role.

 

Ultimately my prediction for him is joining another team on a one year type deal and then transitioning into another organizations front office.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Please God, no.

 

While I think Ryan overrates veteran leadership/performance to a frustrating degree, I think there's almost a zero chance of Hunter returning to the Twins in 2016 unless he accepts a $1-3m contract and a bench role from Opening Day forward.

 

The 2016 Twins have:

 

Hicks

Rosario

Buxton

Arcia

Kepler

 

If Ryan can't field a competent OF with those options, well... I don't know what to say.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Fun fact:

 

2015 Torii Hunter:

408 PAs, 1.2 fWAR

 

2014 Oswaldo Arcia:

410 PAs, 0.9 fWAR

 

For all intents and purposes, they're the same player... but one has massive room for growth while the other is getting ready to file his paperwork for an AARP card.

[jorgenswest]

The question mark on a 40 year old player is no smaller than the question mark on the 5 players in their 20s. It would be foolish to sign Hunter to a contract next year. He is going to play until he is awful and the Twins don't want to be the team paying for that season.

 

The Twins are 48-50 in games Torri has played

 

Mentoring + 993 OPS = 48 Wins

Mentoring + 448 OPS = 50 Losses

 

He will have fewer good games next year and his mentoring doesn't help when he isn't hitting.I trust the Twins are smart enough to let him move on.

[Rosterman]

For 2015, would the Royals or the Ranegrs have matched the Twins contract offer to Hunter. Maybe, maybe not.

 

Coming off his current season, Hunter still ahs some legs, but at what price and blocking who in the organization.

 

If next season we have, say, Buxton/Rosario/Hicks in the outfield, let's say Pinto catching, maybe Polanco at shortstop...would you be happy with the following bench: Hunter, Arcia, Escobar, Suzuki? I see Kepler starting the year at AAA Rochester no matter what. You wonder if Vargas will come back, as he can play first (but then, so can Plouffe). Is Arcia traded because there is no place for him but a rotation spot/bench bat? I mean him or Hunter can be a 4th outfielder because you basically have three regulars, all who can play centerfield if you need that backup.

 

If the price is right...say a max of $5 million, is Hunter worthwhile because he can come off the bench (can he), keep some clubhouse presence, and still be a marketing gem for the team...young/old playing the game, etc. etc. etc. 

 

Will the Twins add players via free agency (catcher, shortstop). Will they keep pushing Santana, play the 2nd-base prospect Polanco? What about Pinto, Arcia, Vargas? Do we want Walker, Kepler on the bench. What if Sano, Rosario, Hicks plunge? What if Buxton isn't ready?

 

And then, let's talk pitching!

[Shane Wahl]

Absolutely not to the first question and probably not to the second question. It is likely going to get really ugly next year for him, and I think he knows that.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Only if he's a full time DH even though DH is also a clogged position.

[Mike Sixel]

No, there is no price I'd want Hunter. None. Nada. Nil.

 

He could pay to be on the team, and I'd not want it.

[twinsnorth49]

It frightens me that this question is even being asked.

[mickeymental]

only if he signs on as full-time clubhouse dj (and far away from the 40-man roster).

[JB_Iowa]

They shouldn't but they probably will.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The 2016 Twins have:

 

Hicks

Rosario

Buxton

Arcia

Kepler

 

If Ryan can't field a competent OF with those options, well... I don't know what to say.

"But, 3 of those guys are in the minor leagues now.  Can't count on them next spring."  

[jimmer]

 

It frightens me that this question is even being asked.

Well, if Ryan could get him for around half, I'm guessing he'd jump.  Loves a bargain and he'd get all the veteran mentorship yummy goodness at half the price.

 

Real question is if the question of whether or not this should be done has been asked of the Twins and/or, say 29 other teams and what was their reaction? :-)

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

"But, 3 of those guys are in the minor leagues now.  Can't count on them next spring."  

If September 1 rolls around and at least two of those three guys aren't in Minnesota, well...

 

http://www.gamegrin.com/assets/Uploads/hulk-calm.jpg

 

Followed by:

http://images.sodahead.com/profiles/0/0/0/5/1/6/6/3/9/Incredible-Hulk-Smash-World-131604673693.jpeg

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

only if he signs on as full-time clubhouse dj (and far away from the 40-man roster).

that's actually a better answer than my full time DH answer

 

Honestly, I believe if Hunter is signed again, that will be a cue to me that apathy has permanently set in on the front office . There are so many good young players and dynamic possibilities for the outfield and so any other moves that must be made before next season that signing Hunter shouldn't even enter anyone's thoughts, barring something completely unforeseen.

[rghrbek]

Torii has supplied slightly more value than I thought he would (when I was staunchly against this move in the off season).    However, like I said before, my youngest son likes Torii.  My mom and sister both LOVE Torii (although neither know what OB% is).

 

For those reasons stated there, and his undying love of veterans (who were his guys), I am guessing that TR signs Torii (70% chance that he does). 

 

I of course will light my hair on fire when this happens.

[drjim]

They shouldn't and likely won't, but they will need a veteran OF of some type.

[nicksaviking]

They shouldn't and I don't think they will.

 

The one scenario which may cause some concern for me however is if Torii really wants to play one more season but doesn't find a club this winter who wants him. 

 

If he's still sitting out there in February or March, I'd be a little worried theTwins would start thinking about adding a veteran bench bat.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Torii has supplied slightly more value than I thought he would (when I was staunchly against this move in the off season).    However, like I said before, my youngest son likes Torii.  My mom and sister both LOVE Torii (although neither know what OB% is).

 

For those reasons stated there, and his undying love of veterans (who were his guys), I am guessing that TR signs Torii (70% chance that he does). 

 

I of course will light my hair on fire when this happens.

That is the crux of it. He is popular. No denying he delivered some key hits in the first half. Bravo to Ryan.

 

But there are just too many good internal solutions now who deserve a shot.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

They shouldn't and likely won't, but they will need a veteran OF of some type.

If they need a veteran OF, why do you say they likely won't re-sign Hunter?  Shane Robinson still has 3 more years of team control, so they don't necessarily need a veteran OF backup -- they'd probably be looking to sign a corner starter, and hope that the young guys "force" their way into the lineup, just as they approached 2014 in the OF and rotation.

 

Here's a list of potential FA this offseason:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/09/2016-mlb-free-agents.html

 

I know we've pursued Rajai Davis before, but that was when CF was much shakier.  No other names jump out at me as more likely targets than Hunter.

[Mike Sixel]

Why do they NEED a veteran OF? I don't buy that at all. Hicks will be in his 4th year, there are plenty of veterans on the roster.

[drjim]

 

Why do they NEED a veteran OF? I don't buy that at all. Hicks will be in his 4th year, there are plenty of veterans on the roster.

 

Doesn't really matter what you do and don't buy. The reality is they don't have one guy on the roster that is a sure thing to make it through the season as a productive OF. They'll want some guaranteed floor as a backup plan, or perhaps you haven't had enough of utility guys getting starts.

[Boom Boom]

Torii wants to retire a Twin, so unless he decides to retire, I think TR will make a new Torii contract a foregone conclusion. They're probably in a meeting hammering out the details right now.

 

I'd also put the odds of signing Pelfrey again at 50/50. He's a gamer and he's proven what he can do when healthy. He keeps the clubhouse loose, too. Did you see him wearing that oversized Dozier jersey? Classic Pelf... what a card.

[drjim]

 

If they need a veteran OF, why do you say they likely won't re-sign Hunter?  Shane Robinson still has 3 more years of team control, so they don't necessarily need a veteran OF backup -- they'd probably be looking to sign a corner starter, and hope that the young guys "force" their way into the lineup, just as they approached 2014 in the OF and rotation.

 

Here's a list of potential FA this offseason:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/09/2016-mlb-free-agents.html

 

I know we've pursued Rajai Davis before, but that was when CF was much shakier.  No other names jump out at me as more likely targets than Hunter.

 

That's not much, maybe it will (gulp) be Hunter.

 

I just have the feeling he'll be done after the year.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Doesn't really matter what you do and don't buy. The reality is they don't have one guy on the roster that is a sure thing to make it through the season as a productive OF. They'll want some guaranteed floor as a backup plan, or perhaps you haven't had enough of utility guys getting starts.

 

That's a totally different argument than needing a veteran, isn't it? Arcia would have been as productive as Hunter this year.......that's one.

[drjim]

 

That's a totally different argument than needing a veteran, isn't it? Arcia would have been as productive as Hunter this year.......that's one.

 

You got me, I used "veteran" as a shorthand for proven floor.

 

And I think it is far, far from certain Arcia would be as productive as Hunter this year, especially considering he was injured (again). Don't let anyone call you a pessimist.

[nytwinsfan]

Maybe as a bench coach. Otherwise no way.