MLB Fastball 10.27.07: Hunter Still Waiting On Twins
Posted by Neil Borenstein on 10.27.2007
The Minnesota Twins finished 17 games back in the AL Central, and have plenty of players to worry about getting inked in the next few years. One player set to become a free agent this offseason is center fielder Torii Hunter, and he hasn’t been contacted recently by the Twins about a new deal. In this week’s MLB Fastball, Neil Borenstein discusses this, as well as the happenings of the World Series through two games.
The first two games of the World Series are in the books, and the Boston Red Sox have a 2-0 lead going into Denver. While I did expect the Red Sox to grab Game One, I figured the Colorado Rockies would be able to take Game Two and go back home with a tied series.
Despite the Rockies winning 21 of their last 22 contests coming into the World Series – a stat even I was getting a little tired of hearing, Colorado was destined to take an opening game loss. Not only was the team going off eight days rest, which is entirely too much for a team in the playoffs, but they were going against the most dominant pitcher in baseball this season – Josh Beckett.
It would be a travesty if Beckett doesn't win the AL Cy Young this year, and his performance on the mound has transitioned well into the postseason. He was a strong 20-win pitcher during the regular season and he has gone 4-0 thus far this postseason. He's gone deep into games and hasn't given up many runs this October. He shutout the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a complete game to start Boston's postseason in the right direction. In Game One against the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS, Beckett went six innings and gave up two runs. In Game Five, he went eight innings and gave up one run. For those two performances, Beckett was named the ALCS MVP. And then in Game One of the World Series, Beckett went seven innings against the Rockies and once again gave up only one run. So with an average of only one run per game against, and a total of 35 strikeouts, Beckett is well on pace to have an all-around banner year from April through October.
For as good as Jeff Francis has been for Colorado this year, there was no way in hell the Rockies were going matchup well against Boston with Beckett on the mound, especially with rust. The worst thing for Colorado's momentum was that much time off and having to face baseball's best pitcher in 2007 in their return to the field. And it showed in their 13-1 drubbing at Fenway.
Game Two was much closer, proving Colorado is still very much a competitive team this postseason. With a 2-1 final score, the Rockies did have a shot. But Curt Schilling got through 5.1 inning with only one run against him during the first inning, and the bullpen was solid through the remaining 3.2 innings to get Schilling a win in what could perhaps be his final game with the Red Sox. And if there was any doubt before, Hideki Okajima is an extremely important part of the Red Sox' bullpen, pitching a total of 9.2 inning without giving up a run, allowing only five hits and striking out nine.
Now the series heads to Colorado and the Rockies' backs are against the wall. Simply put, they have to win Game Three. If they go down 3-0, I think they could probably grab a win in Game Four. But with Beckett on the mound in Game Five, the inevitable of the series is that Boston is taking home its second World Series championship in three years.
If Colorado can take advantage of heading back home, however, it could still make something of this series.
For starters, there's that whole no designated hitter deal in the National League. The Red Sox have decided to bench Kevin Youkilis in order to play David Ortiz at first base. That means the Red Sox are going in without a .396 hitter this postseason. Sure, Boston has plenty of big bats. But Youkilis is certainly one of the team's most important. And it's only going to help Colorado that one of Boston's biggest weapons won't be playing in Game Three.
The Rockies also have the crowd behind them. I honestly don't believe fans play that much of a role. But they can't hurt and can perhaps give the home team some extra adrenaline.
Game Three is where it all starts for the Rockies, though. They have a pitching matchup that can work in their favor. Daisuke Matsuzaka is a solid pitcher, but his performances in the postseason haven't been outstanding. And in the one start Josh Fogg had this postseason in the series against Arizona, he went six innings while giving up only one run. It's possible for Colorado to keep the pitching matchup close and take over on offense.
This is the game where it needs to happen. Otherwise, Colorado can pretty much kiss that championship goodbye.
Will Hunter Be Back In Twins Uniform?
With Nathan Option Picked Up, Is Hunter Next?
Photo Credit: Star Tribune
Torii Hunter is eligible for free agency, and has yet to hear from the Minnesota Twins.
It was reported on Oct. 26 that the Minnesota Twins picked up the option on closer Joe Nathan, bringing back one of the most dominant relievers in Major League Baseball for $6 million next year – a steal of a price. While the Twins have taken care of business with one of their stars, they still have to address another one that is eligible for free agency this offseason.
According to the Pioneer Press, center fielder Torii Hunter said Minnesota hasn't discussed new contracts opportunities with him since the end of the season. And while he wants to stay with Minnesota, Hunter is disappointed that he hasn't heard from the team.
In August, the Twins reportedly offered Hunter a three-year, $45 million deal, which he turned down. What bothered Hunter was the length of the contract, not so much the money. He's calling for a five-year deal at $75 million, which results in the same average salary, just for two more seasons. That contract would take the 32-year old through the 2012 season with the Twins.
Meanwhile, while the Twins keep Hunter waiting, rumors are swirling about other options for him, including the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and even the Washington Nationals – who have Hunter's close friend, Dmitri Young, on their roster.
It seems like we've been dealing with this saga for quite some time now. What exactly will the future hold for Hunter in Minnesota?
To be honest, I have no idea why the Twins can't just get it through their heads that the best center fielder for their organization is the one they already have.
It's definitely going to cost them some money. I fully understand that $15 million a year is quite a commitment. But if they're willing to pay that money over three years, why not give the man who has spent his entire career with the team after being drafted by it in the first round of the 1993 draft two more years?
Hunter doesn't come without talent, either. Offensively, Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer might be bigger assets to the Twins. But Hunter is still a heavy contributor and led the team with 94 runs scored and a .287 batting average. He also had 28 home runs, 107 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Those are solid numbers.
Defensively, Hunter is always a Gold Glove candidate. In fact, he has won six in a row since 2001 and will surely be in line for another one following this season.
I'm sure the Twins have monetary concerns since they have to deal with Johan Santana going into the last year of his deal next season. But while I'm not a mind reader, the writing is on the wall that 2008 will be Santana's last in Minnesota. Santana can command $20 million on the open market at the very least, and the Twins are not going to cough over that kind of dough. He might be one of the best pitchers in baseball, but Minnesota cannot compete with other teams when it comes to paying Santana. And unless the Twins are really in the playoff hunt come the trade deadline, he will likely be dealt to a World Series contender midway through the 2008 season.
With Santana's re-signing unlikely, I don't think the Twins should use that as an excuse to not offer Hunter the five-year deal he wants. A better excuse would be that they need to give Nathan an extension after picking up his option.
Supposedly, the Twins want to wait until the market opens before they start offering deals to Hunter. While not a horrible approach, the way the market has gone the last few years, it's not as if they're going to save money on Hunter by waiting. He's not going to cost the team any less. And if they allow other teams to get to him, Hunter might bolt. And the Twins will suffer as a result.
As soon as humanly possible, the Twins should open up the doors for negotiation. Even terms of four years at $56 million have come up, and I think that would be a good starting point right now for the two parties. I doubt Hunter will agree to that, but maybe he'd be willing to accept the $14 million per season on the five year deal he wants, which would equal $70 million. That's what J.D. Drew signed for in Boston, and Hunter is a helluva lot more talented than that waste of skin.
With Nathan's situation at least immediately cleared up, the Twins can put that and Santana on the backburner and worry about getting their center fielder locked up. Hunter is that important to the team and it would be a shame for his career with the Twins to end just because the team doesn't realize it.
I received a piece of feedback about the Phillies stemming from last week's column, and that'll go up in the good ‘ol blog within the next week or so.
Otherwise …
Send all comments, questions, and suggestions to br7qbsteelers@yahoo.com.
