Before I start this post, I want to be clear that I am not looking forward to the day that Torii Hunter will no longer be roaming CF for our Minnesota Twins. He has been the most enjoyable defensive player I have ever been able to watch consistently. I loved Kirby and he was fantastic with his glove too, but based solely on D (in their primes) I'd take Torii over him and I wouldn't even have to consider it for very long.
He has been a good clubhouse leader too. His personality is infectious and the team has definitely fed off it. I think that is important to note. However, Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer (while much quietier) now have the credentials to lead this team. It no doubt will be different then how Torii did it, but that doesn't mean it will be any less effective.
Offensively, he is what he is. He's streaky and when he is hot he's pretty darn good. When he's cold, he can be a detriment at times. He has holes in his swing and he's a great #6 hitter to me, but batting him any higher is not a good idea (especially because of the OBA).
His career numbers are:
.271 AVG .324 OBA .470 SLG Six gold gloves
This year, he is having a great year and his numbers are all career bests:
.301 AVG .342 OBA .558 SLG
If those numbers are his topside capability, we can't spend $12-$15 million a year (for four or five years) to keep him.
His numbers compare slightly less favorable to other defensive CFs like Carlos Beltran (.280, .354, .491, 1GG) and Andruw Jones (.264, .343, .500, 9GG) and he is two years older then both of them.
Both players make about $13 million per season. Torii currently makes $10.75 million.
It's not that I wouldn't like to see the cost conscience Twins keep him, but with Justin's contract still unresolved and the prospect of likely needing a minimum of five years and $100 million to keep Johan Santana (the best pitcher in baseball) after the 2008 season, we have bigger issues and bigger needs then Torii. I feel that Johan and Justin must be kept, which ultimately makes Torii expendable.
Also, while the Twinkies are fun to watch and are doing all right this year it's not likely that they catch both the Tigers and Indians and go on the run we saw in the second half of last season.
I say we move Torii before the trading deadline (while he is healthy) and get some pieces that will help keep this team competitive with the core players we have for the forseeable future.
The only thing worse then signing Torii to a five year, $70 million contract would be letting him walk at the end of the season while getting nothing more then a sandwich pick between the first and second round of next year's draft.
