Torii Hunter

[Coach Dog]

So what does everyone think of Torii Hunter's future with the Twins? I really wish we could keep him, but I just don't think we can afford him. He's always been one of my favorite players. He says he wants to stay, but he has also stated that he wonders what it would be like to play for a different team in a bigger market. I can't blame him at all for at least wondering. Again, I hope we can keep him, but it will be hard to keep him, Morneau, Santana, Mauer all on the same payroll. If he gets traded, I wish him the best of luck as he is truly a class act and a great baseball player.

[Jarrod32]

I think you hit on the issue when you mentioned Mauer, Morneau, and Santana. And don't forget about Nathan...I think he only has one more year after this year on his deal.

You can't sign 'em all to long term deals...where is the priority?

[jigging-matt]

I hope we keep him, but am not overly optimistic about it. He is by far my favorite player and is having an outstanding year. I hold out hope that he can stay, but if he has to go I hope he goes to someone with a great shot at winning it all.

[IFallsRon]

The team's play up to the deadline will determine what happens to Torii. The next 16 games will make or break the season. If the Twins can get something decent in return, now is the time to move him.

[Scott K]

I think tori is having his best year, and that is bad news for the twins. I would like to keep all of them, and who are you guys kidding, they can afford all of them, its just I dont see pollad signing all of them. I dont think he is worth what we need to pay him though. I would rather have the twins sign justin, and johan, and joe, then to pay tori a big amount and not sign them 3, they are the future of the twins. I think see if he will take a couple million pay cut, to 10m, sign him for a 3 year deal for 30 mil. lock in the other boys and sit back and watch the twins dominate in the next 3 years when our young pitching staff gets a few innings under their belts! Go Twins!

[Jorgie]

I believe Mauer is signed through 2010, so thats one thing to worry about later. But there is still Morneau, Santana, Nathan, and whatever you feel about him, Cuddyer. I'd love to keep Hunter, but what if keeping him means losing Morneau or Santana? I'm glad I'm not Terry Ryan. He's got some difficult choices to make.

[Willy]

I would love to keep him, but I also want to see Santana, Morneau, and Cuddyer held onto. They are the future core group of players that the Twins NEED to keep.

Torii's trade value right now as a high as it has ever been. If we trade him, we need to get something that will make it worthwhile. Our minor league system is about vacant when it comes to position players. I would assume someone that can play 3B and either a middle infielder or outfield prospect(someone to replace Torii in CF, Span is not ready) is who TR would demand in a trade.

Morneau is still the Twins property for the next 2 years no matter what happens, so really he can be waited on although it might not be a good idea, he is really turning into one of the very top hitters in the game and his value is not going down anytime soon.

Cuddyer is another one that we will need to get signed this offseason or he will become a free agent.

Joe Nathan is signed through next season, but IMO is expendable and will probably be traded next year at the deadline.

And Johan....

That is a whole other story. Old Carl is going to have to pony up if we want to hang onto him. Next offseason if he isn't signed by the Twins before hand, get ready to see the biggest contract offer ever offered to a pitcher. I would bet on the open market Santana would be worth right around 25 mil a year.

[SledNeck]

I say let nathan go and move Neshek into the closer role.

[Stratosman]

I agree,

Nathan's saves have a tendency to be nail biters lately anyway. He still has alot of trade value though.

Hunter will look good in a Yankees uniform next season....I just do not see any way that we can re-sign him...

And as far as this season being his best season but being bad for the Twins. You can look at it two ways, one is that we will not be able to afford to re-sign him, two is his trade value just skyrocketed and if we weren't going to re-sign him anyway, then that's money in the bank for the Twins.

Good pitching beats good hitting, typically, we need to keep Santana and find us another quality starter, 3rd basemen and or left fielder.

[Coach Dog]

Very good points Stratosman.

[Willy]

The only thing I see as a problem with letting go of Hunter is the short term effects it will have on the team.

You could argue that with Liriano coming back next year and having Santana, Nathan, Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, plus the bullpen we have, that bringing back Hunter would make sense. Fix our holes at 3B and DH and we could be set to make next year "our year".

[SledNeck]

Too bad we couldnt/didnt get Mike Lowell for a 3b.

Punto could be the greatest fielder in the world and I still would sit him.

Can Casilla play 3b??????????

[Willy]

He probably can, but then you are looking at about the same type of production that Punto is giving you. He may hit for a little higher average or get on base more, but Casilla is not the answer over there either IMO.

We need to move some of our surplus of arms for a 3B that at least hits at the league average. Couple that with a DH with some pop and we are probably 2-3 games back right now instead of 8.

[Commanche Jim]

Hunter's Gold Glove defense, skilled baserunning and overall baseball smarts fit perfectly into the player profile sought out by manager Ozzie Guillen. And prior to Sunday afternoon's first-half finale between the Twins and the White Sox, Hunter admitted that the White Sox would be a good fit for his services.

"Oh. You know, this is a place I hit well in," said Hunter, after laughing at the question of his White Sox interest, claiming it would be tampering if he responded.

"The grass is good in the outfield. The ball doesn't snake. The ball doesn't jump. The fence is a good enough height. I can put my foot on the wall and rob hitters. There are no corners," Hunter added. "Everything is perfect out there. This is one place I would consider. When I come here, I have fun. I love it."

[maros91]

I would love to see Hunter stay but I don't think he will. .300 with 30 HR's and 100 RBI's, 20+ steals, and a gold glove is hard to let go. Nobody is ready in the farm to play center. What do you do? Another free agent no one has talked about is Luis Castillo. What do you do with him? .300 hitter and a solid fielder with speed. Regardless of what happens you must get Santana signed!!!! Do whatever it takes. If it means trading Hunter and using the money to sign Johan than fine. You could be looking at Johan, Liriano, Garza, Slowey, and either Boof, Baker or Silva. Looks pretty interesting to say the least. How about this Blackburn cat in AAA. 39 innings and no earned runs.

[PierBridge]

Ichiro just signed for 20 mill a year....you can kiss Hunter goodbye.

Nobodys going to trade for him when they can have him for free at the end of year.

[Coach Dog]

Time to put Mauer at 3rd base.

[SledNeck]

Putting Mauer at 3rd is a good idea.

[rushing]

Would be a shame to let Hunter go.

[Willy]

Quote:

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Ichiro just signed for 20 mill a year....you can kiss Hunter goodbye.

Nobodys going to trade for him when they can have him for free at the end of year.

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Why? There are teams out there that would love to have him on for THIS year. He has plenty of trade value. We should be able to get a least a couple can't miss type prospects for him.

Also, Ichiro hasn't signed anything yet. It has been reported that both sides are close and that it may be a 5-year 100 million dollar deal. Noone knows for sure until it is signed.

[Bobby Bass]

Quote:

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Putting Mauer at 3rd is a good idea.

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Not, then you have a hole at catcher. Redman is not an everyday catcher nor is he a young man. Mauer will fill the catcher position for years to come, 3rd base is an option for late in his career not in the beginning.

[Bobby Bass]

I would love to see Hunter stay. But like everything else in the world today he is expendable. He might take less to stay, but he might also go for the big bucks. With the new stadium coming they will have the money to keep him but the Twins have always been a frugal team and have proven they can field a team with out selling out. As a fan you would always like them to spend money. I can live with Punto and his lack of offense because he makes up with it with his D taking runners away may be more important then getting hits. Hunter is having a great all around season and is proving his worth both on the field and in the clubhouse. Just please don't go to Chicago if he goes...

[Stratosman]

Even obtaining a decent DH would hide some of Punto's lack of offensive production.

[SledNeck]

My prediction is that Torii Hunter will get a 4 year deal and stay with the twins.

[mnwild]

I would like to see that to- 4yrs/50million...

But I think he is going to leave for more money elsewhere. If someone is going to offer it why not take it..

[bigbucks]

I hear what you're saying, but let's say he got a 4 year 45 million contract, the guys already loaded, he's comfortable here how much is it worth? It's easy for most of us to say both ways I suppose, but when you already have 40 million, does another 10 or 15 really make all that much difference?

Kirby & Herbie both settled for less when their contracts came up. I never heard them complaining about not being able to afford to do what they wanted to do.

[Stratosman]

I laugh every time I hear an athelete say "It's not about the money".

[SledNeck]

If you can get more money, then why not? Would anyone of you turn down a higher amount of money with a nicer office while doing the same job?

[Jorgie]

Quote:

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If you can get more money, then why not? Would anyone of you turn down a higher amount of money with a nicer office while doing the same job?

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Radke did it. He was an excellent team player, and I see Hunter as the same type.

[Jarrod32]

Hafner just got 4-Years, $57 million from the Tribe...