Torii Hunter

[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]

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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...

[PierBridge]

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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.

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Yes we know for sure Ichoro is getting 20 mill per year or more to stay in Seatle.

Which means the very least the Twins could hope to pay Hunter would be 15 mill per year or 60 mill for 4 years highly unlikely he would take only a 3 mill per raise.

Hrbek or Puckett didn't take 20 to 40 mill less to stay here.

He more then likely won't be traded and its doubtful we would get one can't miss prospect and certainly would not get 2 can't miss prospects.

[Stratosman]

So you think we'll re-sign him then. I hope so but that's alot of dough for the Twins ownership to be shelling out... It would be an absolute shame to lose him to free agency.

[TNFL]

Lets not forget, he is having a career year. He has been hurt often the last few years. He is a career 280 (maybe lower) hitter that averages maybe around 25 HR per year. He has always been streaky at best. And in the past most of his production has been during garbage time against weeker pitching. And please don't brag up his RBI totals, You bat anyone in the 3-5 spot thier whole career they will get some RBI.

Maybe if you have 150 million you sign him but with the Twins pre-set payroll I really don't think they can afford, nor should they, anymore than 8 mil per season for hunter. Just because other teams are overpaying the Twins shouldn't.

[Willy]

Then it ain't worth trading. He better be able to fetch at least one "plug in" type prospect. I don't give a (Contact Us Please) about getting a couple of no-name low level prospects. I we want to win next year with Santana/Liriano, we either keep Hunter and try to resign him, or get something of real value for him.

Ichiro hasn't signed yet. I'll wait and see the final numbers before I speculate Hunter's value.

PS Travis Haefner just signed a deal for 4 years 57 mil.

[PierBridge]

Morneau, Santana.......where is this money for Hunter going to come from?

Plus I don't see this kind of production from Hunter once he signs the BIG one.

I'm guessing tomorrow Ichiro will be a 100 million lead off singles hitter.... ....insane imo.

[Willy]

That really depends on how you look at it. Santana is signed through next year. Morneau is still arbitration eligible.

Really the only two we have that aren't under contract for next season would be Hunter, Cuddyer, and Castillo.

Yes, they should probably be thinking ahead and get Santana and Morneau done this year or offseason. But...

If they are looking like next year is our year, then we could afford Hunter. What they could do is resign Hunter and then this offseason go out and sign some bats. Make a run at it. If it doesn't work, deal them at the deadline. I know this will never happen, but thus far IMO, we have wasted Santana and a very good core group of players by not helping them with one or two decent guys that it would take to win it all.

And yes I agree all salaries are insane. That is why when you see someone like Ichiro get that kind of dough, it makes you wonder what Santana's market is gonna be. Is 25 mil a year top dollar for him? - That might even be low.

[Scott K]

We can hope all we want I dont think mn will sign santana, he wont be in our price range! Look for him to be a red sox, or yankee in a couple years .

[PierBridge]

I really have no clue what's going to happen.

I'll still LOVE the Twins is about all I can say for certain!

[Jorgie]

I think Castillo has an option in his contract for next year that gets automatically picked up if he gets so many plate appearances.

[bucketmouth64]

Baseball salaries are starting to get ridiculous. A-rod's agent says he could be the first 30-40 million dollar man. Only NY would be dumb enough to pay that and probably the only one who could afford that. Hunter doesn't need the $$ and if he really wants to stay here he will do what some of the others did in the past and sign a fair contract. The more he talks about playing in other places makes me think he wants out and then he will say he can't pass up the kind of money that is being offered. To me it sounds like he wants to "sow his oats", so to speak, and leave for a big market that has more glitz.

[colonel42]

I have to agree with you there. He is looking into the future and the new stadium. He will sign and stay on. He is having a break out year. He does the state of MN good on and off the field. Also his inteviews are great for our kids to see what a real baseball player can be like.

[ozzie]

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Also his inteviews are great for our kids to see what a real baseball player can be like.

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Not sure what you mean by this comment as alot of the things he says in the media this year have been selfish and pretty dumb....i.e the Robbinson deal where he was upset that so many people would be wearing the jersey when he thought it was going to be only a select few......I like Tori and I hope he stays but he should think before he speaks.....

[Bobby Bass]

I thought he made a good point, it was to be an honor wearing the number, it was diminished by being worn by so many. If you say anything about Tori he is old school when it comes to baseball. Kirby taught him well.

[jigging-matt]

I agree with bass, Hunter was right to say that about wearing the Jersey. I guess I don't see how he is selfish at all. Puckett would be proud of him. It will be a sad day in Twins Territory if/when Hunter leaves.

[Jarrod32]

Ichiro just signed an extension with the M's for five years/$90 million...$18m per year. Baseball Tonight the other night they were talking about free agents - including Hunter - and had Hunter pegged around $15m per year.

[PierBridge]

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Ichiro hasn't signed yet. I'll wait and see the final numbers before I speculate Hunter's value.

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Well at least it wasn't 20 mill 18 mill is bad enough but it helps when your talking 4 or 5 year contracts.

I'm still thinking 15 mill per year for Hunter to keep him minimum but I think he and his agent will want 5 years which puts his contract at 70 or 80 mill......DOAH!

It's not my money SIGN HIM!!!!

[mnwild]

I think the Twins will offer him around what you are saying, 15 million/year. When Radke retired wasn't his salary right around 12 million/year?? If they paid him that they should be able to get Hunter under contract.

[kaz2611]

I think pohlad needs to pull out his wallet and get tori johan and justin signed to 4 yr deals or longer id like to see these guys break in the new stadium and dont you think it would also be a big plus to drawing the fans with the likes of these guys in the lineup the twins payroll this year is like 71 million the yankees 189 million and the devil rays 24 million we cant compete with what the yankees payroll is but I do think we could climb the laddder a few notches

[Stratosman]

Signing him will be banking on future revenues from the new stadium increasing dramatically, which I think would be a good wager...Get them all signed, worry about payroll later...

[bgreen82]

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Get them all signed, worry about payroll later...

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ahh, the sign of a true armchair general manager.