[riverside sluggers]

Twins: Is Torii Hunter on the way out?
La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune
September 16, 2005

Twins center fielder Torii Hunter has put his Golden Valley home on the market -- an indication of his personal uncertainty that he will be with the club in 2006. The uncertainty appears justified. The Twins will lay everything on the table over the next several weeks as the makeup of the 2006 roster is discussed, according to two Twins officials with knowledge of the team's offseason plans. Trading Hunter and unloading his large contract will be considered as an option, according to the officials.

Hunter, a four-time Gold Glove winner who broke his left ankle on July 29 in Boston, is one of the core players of a franchise that will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2001. He is one of the team's most popular players and was around when the Twins rose from the ashes to become competitive again. But the realities of the game, the fiscal history of the Twins and things he's picking up on the grapevine tell Hunter, 30, his future might not be as secure as he once believed. So his condominium is on the market.

"I'm putting it up for sale and will be renting an apartment," said Hunter, who made his debut with the Twins in 1997. "It's a business sometimes. I want to be here, but you never know what could happen. I've seen good friends leave here." Hunter has watched Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins and Corey Koskie leave through free agency. He has seen Eric Milton and A.J. Pierzynski traded before their salaries became too much of a burden. He looks at his 2006 salary of $10.75 million -- the highest single-season salary in club history -- and wonders if he's next.

"I thought he was kidding when he told me he was going to do it," Twins outfielder Jacque Jones said. "It was surprising." Hunter's decision seems odd on the surface but more understandable once the layers are peeled away. After 2006 -- the final year of a four-year contract -- the Twins have a $12 million option on Hunter for 2007, or a $2 million buyout. His value is better this offseason.

The Twins have several players due significant raises next season. Johan Santana will go from $4.75 million to $8.75 million; Joe Nathan from $2.1 million to $3.75 million; and Carlos Silva from $1.75 million to $3.2 million. The Twins have around $46 million in salaries committed to 10 players for next season. That doesn't include players who are arbitration eligible -- and the 2006 budget is unknown. Hunter said he has heard from people he trusts that he could be traded, although most Twins officials said they believe the club would have to be bowled over by an offer it couldn't refuse. Hunter isn't so sure finances won't dictate his departure.

"That's what I'm trying to tell you," he said. "I've heard that from a couple people who are real good sources. I'm human. When you hear that stuff, you're like, 'Wow, I better cover myself then.' If they want to, that's fine. That's why I understand the business side." Why consider dealing Hunter? At a salary at more than $10 million, could the Twins replace him with two good players making $5 million each? Could they find two players whose production has a greater impact on the offense?

"I want to win here with the Twins," Hunter reiterated. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said he has not spoken with Hunter about his future and declined to comment on the prospect of trading Hunter. "That's a personal decision," Ryan said of Hunter's condo- selling, "not a baseball decision."

Hunter was batting .269 with 14 homers and 56 RBI when he broke his ankle while trying to make a highlight-reel catch at Fenway Park. Since the season-ending injury, he has spent most of the time at his home in The Colony, Texas, watching all but a few games. There are different levels of pain. He has ignored most of the aches and pains of playing a daring center field over the years. The pain of breaking an important bone -- he was playing despite a broken small toe this season -- is different. But he said there's nothing like the pain of watching the Twins fail to make the playoffs after winning the American League Central three consecutive seasons.

"It's frustrating," he said. "You want to be out there. You know you can help those guys, but it's frustrating. I'm tearing up inside like those guys. I know that feeling." Hunter will be in the Twin Cities today to have his ankle examined by team doctors. He hopes the cast will be removed, and he will get the go-ahead to begin rehabilitation so he can be ready for next season. For which team, however, remains to be seen. "They are going to end up doing whatever they want to do," Hunter said. "Whatever happens, someone will want me. I don't want to leave. I'm trying to be a Twin."

Hunter is a tremendous center fielder who from 2001 through 2004 averaged 26.3 home runs and 92.3 RBI per season. He's also one of the few veteran leaders left in the clubhouse.