Turkey Day Hot Stove League: Hunter Gets His

by Jon Marthaler on Nov 22, 2007 3:00 AM EST in News Comment 17 comments

Aaron Gleeman had the first link to the news: The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Torii Hunter is the newest Los Angeles Anaheim Orange County Or Whatever Angel. It's a five-year deal for $80 million.

It's not one of those "insider report" things, either - it includes quotes from the Angels' GM and from Hunter's agent. It's legit, and it's the confirmation of something we all knew anyway: Torii Hunter has left the building.

It's too bad; I had a Benedict Arnold-themed post all worked up, in case Hunter signed with the White Sox.

Hunter joins an Angels outfield that didn't really have a spot free, what with Gary Matthews into his second year of a gargantuan deal to play center field, Vlad in right field, and Garret Anderson in left. The speculation is that Anderson will move to DH.

If you want a quick glimpse into how things work differently if you're a big-market have, rather than a small-market have-not, there's your example. $50 million contract for a center fielder didn't work out quite the way you planned? Sign another one for $80 million! It's no problem! Meanwhile, the Twins will be over here pinching pennies, dithering over offering the best pitcher in baseball an extra two years on his contract extension.

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Good riddance...

I can't wait to boo him mercilessly every time I go to the big A, seeing as the Angels are by far my least favorite team not only in baseball, but all of sports.

by djskilbr on Nov 22, 2007 3:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why

Why would you boo Him... We didn't give him the money.... Not matter what you think, we didn't even come close to offering a fair market price minus a hometown Discount.
You can't boo hunter because your feeling are hurt.... Be happy he went to the west and not the central....

Trav

by trap11 on Nov 22, 2007 4:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

At least the Twins get...

At least the Twins will get a first round pick now out of the deal. That's got to be some sort of consolation, right?

Here's one thing I read from Torii that just doesn't make sense: "Sometimes it's time to move on," Hunter said. "Sometimes your welcome is gone."

What does that mean - "...your welcome is gone"? I don't think anyone in the Twins orginization wouldn't have wanted him back - albeit at the Twins price. What gives with that statement?

by Chaddens on Nov 22, 2007 8:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

pretty common

I feel like it's fairly common for pro athletes to make statements like that. To them, unwillingness to offer me a market-level contract = you don't want me around.

We heard similar sentiments from Guardado, Hawkins, Jones, heck even Koskie who I think is a great guy and one of the least mercenary pro athletes around made some statements kind of along these lines.

Since I make less than 1% of what these guys are signing for to do a job that can't be nearly as fun, I also don't really get these statements. But apparently this is just the way it is in their minds. Oh well.

by adam on Nov 22, 2007 8:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

clarification

Also, just to clarify my thoughts:

I don't think Hunter (or any of these guys) actually thinks that they are actually unwelcome.

It's like do I want a huge plasma screen TV? Yes, I'd love one and I'll give you $100 bucks for it. But at the actual price, I don't want one. I'm sure this is the sense in which these guys say they're unwanted/unwelcome etc. Still, I don't know why they say those things due to the way it comes across to the average joe.

by adam on Nov 22, 2007 8:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's worse

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10489054

It's actually a 5 year, $90 million deal. $3 million less than we offered Johan Santana. It is absurd, and probably will end up being a very bad signing on their part, but they can always just buy someone else later. Hooray for no cap!

Replace Nick Punto.

by rayken on Nov 22, 2007 9:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Learning from mistakes? Nope.

Yeah, I seem to remember LAAAAAA making a similar deal with Gary Matthews Jr (though not to this extent). You'd think they wouldn't be so quick to do this again. After all, Hunter is at the end of his prime, and he'll be 37 when this deal expires.

I really feel that signing Hunter to such a huge contract is going to prove a really stupid move in the end. Unfortunately, this probably raises the price of someone like Cameron now.

-Flip

by Flip27 on Nov 23, 2007 1:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

First rounder

From my perspective, I'm just happy the Twins will get a first rounder and a sandwich pick. From all the media reports, it was looking like a sandwich and a second rounder. Not that second rounders are bad, judging from the team's recent run of success there: Crain, Baker, Slowey, Swarzak.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 22, 2007 10:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Congratulations, Torii

5 Years? Check.

Playing for a winner? Check.

Monetary jackpot? Check.

I've loved watching you play with the Twins over the last nine years, and I'll miss your presence in the field and in the lineup. I wish you and your family well, and I hope the Angels can bring you the World Series trophy that the Twins couldn't.

It's a sad, sad day in Twins Territory.

by Barry on Nov 22, 2007 11:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

I'm home for Thanksgiving and didn't realize I was signed in as my dad. Oops.

by Jesse on Nov 22, 2007 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with most of your sentiments. Congratulations to Torii. He got what he wanted, and what his talents deserve (at least in this non-salary cap ridiculous market), his money, his 5 years, and a chance to win now.

But let's not shed too many tears for the Twins. I think there is plenty of reason to think that this will make us stronger in the long run.

Torri wanted to be "the leader" of the Twins, ala Kevin Garnett. Torii has a similar fire in his belly as KG, but his selfish arrogance resulted in more locker room conflict as Torii's desire to "light a fire" under his teammates' ended up being cosistently (and I believe rightfully) construed as arrogant finger pointing and blaming.

Leaders don't blame others.

This year, and next, we will most certainly miss his bat and his defense, BUT I think the clubhouse atmosphere will be better without Torii immediately, and the savings (my personal guess is that Torii would have re-signed at 5 for $16)will allow us some flexibility to resign Santana or restock with a couple more position players/bats.

Now we just have to see who will step up into the leadership role this coming year.

by montanatwinsfan on Nov 22, 2007 11:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And the Twins....

...signed four players for Rochester. Veteran minor leaguers, Catcher Eli Whiteside; first baseman Randy Ruiz; first baseman/outfielder Jon Knott and untility man Howie Clark.

by roger on Nov 22, 2007 11:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The reports I've read from the AP

puts the deal at 5 years and at least 90 mil.

I have nothing against the Angels and their fans. They have always been great when I make the drive down to watch my Twins in all my gear but...

I'm sorry to see Torii go. It's too bad he didn't see what he acomplished in MN and saw that he should finish as a Twin.

I guess Mike Sweeney is the last player who is willing to do that and acknowledge there is more than money to think about. After all he like Torii are already making enough to fill a swiming pool with cash.

by caluofmn on Nov 22, 2007 12:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Roids

Does this mean the Angels think Gary Matthews is going to be suspended for 'roids? Or are they just foolish enough to pay a 39-year old that kind of money?

by wcooley on Nov 22, 2007 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well

Do not always talk about player's trade. Go Black Friday shopping! Here is my shopping list:
http://www.globalgmail.com/upload/BFridayHotDeals.pdf
This is a dead Friday better than trade.

by kevinojeo on Nov 22, 2007 11:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Banned

This user has been banned for spamming. This has been happening across SB Nation sites the last couple of days. If anyone sees anything else like this, please let me know.

Thanks.

by Jesse on Nov 23, 2007 1:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Well, this is probably pretty near the best case scenario for the Twins at this point.

Interestingly though, as Howard pointed out over at his blog on the star trib, the Twins open at home against the Angles this year...

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on Nov 23, 2007 2:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs