Torii Hunter and His Minnesota Twins Homecoming

Jun 14, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) signs autographs before a game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Even after hearing about it for weeks, this is one that I did not expect.

After leaving as a free agent following the 2007 season, Torii Hunter is coming back to the Minnesota Twins. Yesterday, it was announced that Hunter and the Twins agreed to a one-year pact worth $10.5 million. For those who have not followed his career closely since he left, Hunter will not be the same player we remember from his time roaming the Metrodome Astroturf. During his time with the Twins, Hunter won seven consecutive Gold Gloves and was generally considered the best outfielder in baseball. Hunter did win two more Gold Gloves in his time with the Angels, but has slowed considerably since. As Hunter has aged, he has gone from an elite, all-time center fielder to a below-average right fielder. Age catches up to everyone, and Torii is no different.

The good news is, Hunter can still hit. He finished his 2014 campaign with the Tigers hitting .286, with 17 homers and 83 RBI. Additionally, according to Mark Simon of ESPN, last season Hunter had a hard-hit rate of 20%, which would have led the Twins.

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A rebuilding team can no doubt use the clubhouse experience a guy like Hunter brings with him. Still, I did not expect this signing to happen. I was skeptical on the Twins’ side of the equation because there are a lot of young bats looking to get plate appearances. Now, there will be fewer available. Also, barring a miracle, this team is not anywhere near ready to contend for the postseason this year.

It is entirely possible that the thinking on Hunter’s part was that he truly did enjoy his time in Minnesota and that since he was a major part of the Twins pulling themselves out of mediocrity in the early 2000s that perhaps he can help do it again 15 years later. I assumed he was going to be in full ring-chasing mode, but it is refreshing that he wanted to come home. As Twins fans, we just saw the worst case scenario play out with Jason Bartlett. When it’s over, it’s over. The Twins are taking a small chance that Hunter’s days, while numbered, are not up just yet.

There is no telling how this will ultimately pan out. Hopefully there are some hits left in that bat and this rebuilding process is a success. If Torii Hunter can be a part of that success, than all the better.