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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Torii Hunter visits Detroit; source says he ‘wants to play there’

Simply marvelette…

Torii Hunter told CBSSports.com’s Scott Miller that he feels like he’s being recruited. On Tuesday, the free-agent outfielder made an official visit.

Hunter was in Detroit to meet with Tigers officials, sources confirmed to CBSSports.com. The Tigers hadn’t yet made an official contract offer as of Monday, but it’s possible that could come as part of the visit.

“He wants to play there,” said one source who has spoken with Hunter.

Hunter told Miller that he only wants a contract that is “fair,” but it’s expected that his side will look at Carlos Beltran’s two-year, $26 million deal with the Cardinals as a fair comparison for an All-Star outfielder in his mid-30s.

The Tigers badly want to sign Hunter, who they see as a perfect fit in the outfield, in their lineup (where he would likely bat second, behind Austin Jackson and in front of Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez), and in the clubhouse, where he would be a great influence on Fielder, Jackson and others.

Repoz Posted: November 13, 2012 at 05:09 PM | 17 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: tigers

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1. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 13, 2012 at 05:15 PM (#4301654)

I assume he'd play RF?

2. JDLk Posted: November 13, 2012 at 05:30 PM (#4301668)

I hope it is for less money than Beltran, but a two-year deal would not be the worst signing.

3. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: November 13, 2012 at 05:43 PM (#4301688)

Torii in right field? Now I know I'm getting old n

4. PeteF3 Posted: November 13, 2012 at 07:03 PM (#4301791)

Torii's been a RF for the past few seasons, ever since Bourjos came up.

5. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: November 13, 2012 at 09:43 PM (#4301989)

The memory is the first to go.

6. Gamingboy Posted: November 13, 2012 at 10:37 PM (#4302028)

Headline tomorrow:

"Torii Hunter wants to play in Toronto"

7. Cooper Nielson Posted: November 13, 2012 at 10:43 PM (#4302037)

As a Tiger fan, I'd be very happy with Hunter on a 2-year deal (I assume he wouldn't sign a 1-year deal), or up to 3 years if it's not too expensive. He's getting old, but his decline seems to be graceful, and hasn't affected his hitting yet.

I'm higher on Andy Dirks and Avisail Garcia than a lot of people, but Hunter would likely be an upgrade for the 2013 season, at least. Dirks and Garcia could platoon in the other corner spot. That would be a pretty serviceable outfield, offensively and defensively.

8. DL from MN Posted: November 13, 2012 at 10:45 PM (#4302039)

If you're a reporter in any town in the country you can probably get a quote from Torii saying how much he wants to play for your team.

9. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: November 13, 2012 at 10:50 PM (#4302044)

Sure, Detroit in November, how could he resist? Just in time for the graffiti to change colors.

10. Walt Davis Posted: November 14, 2012 at 01:54 AM (#4302167)

"Torii Hunter wants to play in Toronto"

Then he'd better sign with Miami fast.

11. Gamingboy Posted: November 14, 2012 at 06:31 AM (#4302189)

"Torii Hunter wants to play in Toronto"

Then he'd better sign with Miami fast.

I set it up, and you knocked it out of the park. Good job.

12. Double-Spin Mechanic Posted: November 14, 2012 at 08:01 AM (#4302198)

Dirks and Garcia could platoon in the other corner spot.

I hope Garcia gets 600 PA in AAA. Having him spend 2/3 of a season on the bench in the majors would be a huge development blunder. You can find a RH platoon LF at virtually any gas station.

13. Justin T is expanding the aperture of awareness Posted: November 14, 2012 at 10:21 AM (#4302249)

Yes, using Garcia as they did at the end of this season to help the team was fine. He still has a lot of developing to do, though, and should not be in the majors next season.

14. JJ1986 Posted: November 14, 2012 at 01:31 PM (#4302470)

This is done. 2-year deal.

15. Every Inge Counts Posted: November 14, 2012 at 01:32 PM (#4302471)

Supposedly 2 years and 26 million....

16. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: November 14, 2012 at 01:40 PM (#4302489)

Probably an upgrade from what they had in right, but what's his defense looking like these days?

17. Smyly Smile (Walewander) Posted: November 14, 2012 at 02:01 PM (#4302514)

Looks like a good deal, even if it's a slight overpay. His defence and baserunning are still pluses and hopefully he can stay league average with the bat.

"Probably" an upgrade? Brennan Boesch got the majority of RF starts for the Tigers last year. He put up a .659 OPS with horrible defence. As Lee Panas pointed out on Twitter... "Tigers were -4.3 fWAR at 2B, RF, DH. Infante, Hunter, Martinez can easily do 7 WAR. That's 11 wins right there."

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Torii Hunter visits Detroit; source says he ‘wants to play there’

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