Lets keep Tori Hunter!

[Outdoors Junkie]

I know he has been over paid the last couple years, but he has really picked up the Twins since he came off the DL.  He is the heart and sole of the Twins.  I hope they keep him around to play in the new ball park.


09/25/2006 6:28 PM ET
Hunter, Ibanez share AL honor
Twins center fielder hits .423, Mariners outfielder hits .424
By Ryan Quinn / MLB.com
 

Outfielders Torii Hunter and Raul Ibanez have been named Bank of America Co-Players of the Week for the American League for the period ending Sept. 24.

Hunter, center fielder for the Twins, hit .423 with a .808 slugging percentage, including three home runs and nine RBIs.

The Twins are 1 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central and atop in the Wild Card standings with a week to play. With Hunter starting to heat up in a lineup also featuring Joe Mauer, Cuddyer and MVP-candidate Morneau, Minnesota has the weapons to go deep into October with a team that is playing great baseball at the right time.

"It feels real good," Hunter said of his late power surge. "I've been hurt all year. I'm still feeling it, but at the same time, it's a lot better. ... You know, you just want to be a part of the team. [Michael] Cuddyer and [Justin] Morneau, these guys are doing good and I want to be a part of it. I don't want to be the weak link."

One of Hunter's highlights this past week was hitting a three-run homer on Sept. 20 at Boston, the same place he broke his left ankle in 2005.

"My motivation right now is that we're in the playoff race," Hunter said of his hot streak. "If you can't get pumped up to play for that, there's something wrong with you. I'm addicted to the playoffs. I want to get there and win the World Series."

The Twins are 1 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central and in first place in the Wild Card with a week to play. With Hunter starting to heat up in a lineup also featuring Joe Mauer, Cuddyer and MVP-candidate Morneau, Minnesota has the weapons to go deep into October with a team that is playing great baseball at the right time.

"We need him to drive in runs in big situations, and he's been doing it," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Hunter. "This is the time of year when every game seems like a playoff game and players step up. That's what Torii does, he steps up and does his thing."

[Ryan]

I would like to see them sign him for a couple more years at a smaller price.  If we have to pick up the $12 million option for next year, I think that is what they have to do for lack of other options.

[shakey legs 2]

All right,, you have converted me.  Let's sign Tori to a long term contract so he can play in the new ball park.  I guess when you look at it with some perspective, someone who is averaging 25 dingers and 90 ribeyes (you gotta smell them) over his career is probably in the upper echelon for centerfielders.  They would have to pay him 2.5 mil anyway if they release him so it is only (and I don't use this word lightly) 9.5 mil to keep him and then maybe work out a long term deal to spread the money out.