The Twins re-introduced Torii Hunter to Twins fans Wednesday, a day after he agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract to return to the organization.
Hunter spent his first 11 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Twins. He left in 2007 to sign a five-year $90 million contract with the Anaheim Angels.
Hunter chose to return to the Twins over other offers from the Rangers, Royals and Orioles.
Torii Hunter says he's not playing anywhere else but with the Twins.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) December 3, 2014
“This is where I needed to be, this is home for me,” said Hunter. “I am here to share it, and help this team, and I’m here to win.”
.@toriihunter48 putting pen to paper on his return to Twins Territory! #WelcomeBackTorii pic.twitter.com/6sZgib1DGy
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) December 3, 2014
Twins GM Terry Ryan said the Twins were looking for a right-handed hitter and another outfielder, so Hunter fit the bill. Ryan said the plan would be to move Oswaldo Arcia to left field and have Hunter man right field.
Hunter hit .286 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs for the Tigers last season, but Detroit chose not to bring him back in the offseason.
“His performance is still going to benefit this team,” said Twins manager Paul Molitor.
Hunter is a nine-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All Star, but some inside numbers suggest his defensive skills have started to decline.
Baseball Insider Aaron Gleeman notes that Hunter’s defense has graded out 22 runs below average over the last two seasons.
Torii Hunter was just asked about his poor defensive numbers and said: "Whoever believes in that sabermetrics stuff never played the game."
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 3, 2014
Hunter said he thinks the Twins have a chance to turn it around, saying the team has a lot of young talent on the roster.
