Torii Hunter to DC?

[Nat of the Living Dead]

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071017&content_id=2270739&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Hunter interested in joining Nationals
Twins' potential free agent-to-be has close ties with Young
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
   

WASHINGTON -- After the World Series comes to an end, Twins outfielder Torii Hunter is expected to file for free agency, and he said on Wednesday that he has an interest in playing for the Nationals because of his close relationship with first baseman Dmitri Young.

Young and Hunter have known each other since the early 1990s, when Young played with Hunter's cousin, Basil Shabazz, in the Cardinals' Minor League system.

In fact, before the trade deadline in July, Hunter campaigned for the Twins to pick up Young for the pennant stretch, but the Nationals ended up signing Young to a two-year extension.

"I want to watch and see what's going on. I'm interested [in going] anywhere," Hunter said by phone on Wednesday. "Dmitri Young makes it very interesting. I've always wanted to play with Dmitri. He has been one of my buddies since I was 18 years old. I used to watch those guys play and hang out. I've known him a long time."

Hunter also said that Washington's large African-American population is a factor in his interest in playing for the Nationals, as he would like to be a leader in the community. Hunter said the Braves have also piqued his interest, for the same reason.

"I always talk to my wife about being interested in playing in front of the African-American fans and trying to get the African Americans back to playing the game," he said. "If I go to Atlanta or D.C. and make a difference that way, I would love it. Trust me -- D.C. is very interesting to me as well as Atlanta."

Hunter, considered one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball, has won six consecutive Gold Gloves and helped the Twins reach the postseason four times this decade. He is coming off a season in which he hit .287 with 28 home runs and a career-high 107 RBIs for Minnesota.

But even though the Nationals are looking for a center fielder, can they afford Hunter? Though the team has not ruled out signing free agents, team president Stan Kasten said during a luncheon with the local beat writers more than a month ago that the organization would not pay outrageous prices.

Hunter declined to say how much he was seeking.

"I can't tell you [how much money] it will take to come to Washington -- not as a free agent," he said. "What's fair is fair. That's all that matters. That's one of many teams I will be watching. With Dmitri Young over there, it makes it very interesting."

[kimnat]

This could be super interesting.  Maybe we could take a different path on this Logan/Pena/Langerhans/Church experiment.

[Obed_Marsh]

Anyone watch him for more than a game or two?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071017&content_id=2270739&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Ray D]

Yes, I've been following him for several years. One of the best fielding centerfielders of the past 5-10 years.  Possibly the best (maybe second to Edmunds).  Good offensive numbers too. He would be a great addition to the team and to the city.

  Forget it though, he will be way too expensive.  He is also a very self-promotional sort, which will only drive up the price.

[shoeshineboy]

I can't say I expect anything to happen with this. Hunter is likely to command a ridiculously inflated salary. I like the guy, and he would be great to have, but the team needs to spend money wisely, not drastically overpay for someone. Hunter had one of his better years last year, but his career numbers aren't awe inspiring. I suspect that Maxwell is the direction the team wants to go. If there were a lot of other FAs out there, perhaps he could be had for less, but he's likely to get silly money, and given that he will be 33 next year and has taken the pounding on that artificial turf, the timing doesn't seem right. If we were going into a season after making a serious WC run and thought we were on the cusp, he would be an ideal pickup.

[tomterp]

Hunter will probably get $70m over 5.

[natsfan1a]

Just FYI, there's a thread about this in another folder as well.

http://www.wnff.net/index.php/topic,5851.0.html

[Obed_Marsh]

Interesting on all counts.

Oops. I missed the other thread.

[PANatsFan]

This could be super interesting.  Maybe we could take a different path on this Logan/Pena/Langerhans/Church experiment.

My crystal ball says:
Langerhans gets cut; Logan to the bench; Maxwell and Church platoon; Pena everyday LF

We could possibly sign a 1 yr Andruw Jones stopgap - longer would be unacceptable - but I'm not sure Jones is worth a 2nd round pick.

Hunter is a good guy but not a good fit with our team.

[Dave B]

Hunter will probably get $70m over 5.

Thats all you think? I could see like 70 for 4

[Dave B]

We could possibly sign a 1 yr Andruw Jones stopgap - longer would be unacceptable - but I'm not sure Jones is worth a 2nd round pick.

We would probably get that pick back when he leaves the following year

[MrMadison]

Hunter also said that Washington's large African-American population is a factor in his interest in playing for the Nationals, as he would like to be a leader in the community. Hunter said the Braves have also piqued his interest, for the same reason.

"I always talk to my wife about being interested in playing in front of the African-American fans and trying to get the African Americans back to playing the game," he said. "If I go to Atlanta or D.C. and make a difference that way, I would love it. Trust me -- D.C. is very interesting to me as well as Atlanta."

ZOMG RACIST! WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE A RACE ISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111!!!!!!!

[Dave B]

One of the best fielding centerfielders of the past 5-10 years.  Possibly the best (maybe second to Edmunds). 

Edmonds makes really nice catches, but I cant help but think he in not the most rangy CF out there. There are other guys who probably get to balls that he dives for routinely.  I think tomterp has data on these types of things. I'd be interested to see it. Judging defense is so hard

Edit:
Just looked up zone ratings on ESPN. Hunter has a little better career average (.896 to .892) and seems consistently higher through his peak years (also a longer peak).  Edmonds had the best one year of .939 to Hunters .924.  Andruw Jones does not seem to be near what these guys are.  So maybe Emdonds was more effective than I thought

[PANatsFan]

We would probably get that pick back when he leaves the following year

That is an excellent point. Could trade a second round pick for a first that way, even. I'm on board now.

[kimnat]

I'm not excited at all about Pena.  I think he's (get ready...)  OVERRATED!  Seriously, though I really do.  He's not that great on defense and his bat wasn't all that exciting.

[Kenz aFan]

Hunter will probably get $70m over 5.

$75 to $80 million over 5 years is not an unreasonable amount to pay for a quality center fielder. With the way the market is for center fielders, he'll likely get $80 million plus for five years.

There are a few things that need to be considered before signing a player, and they are;

1) If Justin Maxwell is the Nats future center fielder, would signing a quality player to play CF now for longer than 2 years make sense?

2) Do they sign the player and prepare Maxwell to be mentally ready to play right fielder, since odds are, Austin Kearns wont be here in two or three years anyway.

3) Is Torii Hunter the best option for the Nats

4) Would it be better to sign a Kenny Lofton, a Corey Patterson or someone similar for one year at somewhere between $3 and $5 million?

If the Nats are prepared to pay $75 to $80 million for the right player, then I believe that Hunter is a much better choice than Aaron Rowand, because; 1) he plays in a ballpark that's just as pitcher friendly than RFK is, 2) his style of play makes him less likely to get hurt, and 3) with Nationals Park predicted be a stadium that favors hitters more than it does pitchers, Hunter's numbers would surely rise, making the choice between him and Aaron Rowand a fairly easy one to make.

With the potential of Nationals Park being hitter friendly, even signing Andruw Jones for one year (with a mutual option for a multi year extension) would make good sense. Jones (or Hunter) would help fill any empty seats there may be, while at the same time, give the Nats something that have not had in years, and that's the potential, with Pena in left for more big innings.

I'm sure you will agree that, offense wins ball games, pitching wins championships and defense saves games. So to give your pitchers the best chance of winning, you need to score runs and I believe adding someone like Hunter for a multi year deal, or Jones for a one year plus options contract is the first step towards becoming potential contenders.

[PANatsFan]

4) Would it be better to sign a Kenny Lofton, a Corey Patterson or someone similar for one year at somewhere between $3 and $5 million?

yes to either

[The Chief]

I don't see it happening, I think it's pretty obvious that the FO plans to work on Maxwell as our future CFer.  If we sign anyone, it won't be for more than a year, two tops.

[sportsfan882]

Corey Patterson = Kenny Lofton = Nook Logan

No since of signing either of those players since we have the same player in Logan.  I'm not saying Logan is great or anything but he is just about the same as those guys. 

[The Chief]

If you equate Kenny Lofton to Nook Logan, you're seriously underselling Kenny Lofton.  Also, since Lofton seems to go to the playoffs just about every damn year, bringing him to DC could be a good luck charm

[saltydad]

If you equate Kenny Lofton to Nook Logan, you're seriously underselling Kenny Lofton.  Also, since Lofton seems to go to the playoffs just about every damn year, bringing him to DC could be a good luck charm

QFT

[tomterp]

If you equate Kenny Lofton to Nook Logan, you're seriously underselling Kenny Lofton.  Also, since Lofton seems to go to the playoffs just about every damn year, bringing him to DC could be a good luck charm

Double QFT.  I don't think Cory Patterson's much of an upgrade over Nook, but Lofton is.

[PANatsFan]

Double QFT.  I don't think Cory Patterson's much of an upgrade over Nook, but Lofton is.

With absolutely no time to check stats, I have the gut feeling that Patterson hits more HR's, with a lot more power potential. Hard to have less power potential than Logan.

I do prefer Lofton. Plus we can then trade Lofton at the deadline

[nats2playoffs]

Um... Kenny Lofton is 40 years old.  He'll be 41 in May 2008.  Pass.

[UMDNats]

I would love to have Hunter but we should only offer a 1-2 year deal. Other than that, no way. And I don't see him taking that short of a deal.