39-year-old Hunter returning to Twins on one-year contract

  • By La Velle E. Neal III Star Tribune
  • Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:18pm
  • SportsSports

The Minnesota Twins are again reaching back to their past in an attempt to alter the culture of losing.

This time, they are bringing back the key figure in their surge during the 2000s.

Torii Hunter, a five-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner and fan favorite, has agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract to return to the club with which he broke into the majors. The Twins are expected to announce the deal after Hunter passes a physical exam.

Hunter last played for the Twins in 2007 before leaving as a free agent to sign a five-year, $90 million contract with the Angels. He spent the past two seasons with Detroit, earning $13 million a season. He batted .286 last season with 17 home runs and 83 RBI last season.

The Twins had to win a battle to land Hunter, as several teams, including Kansas City, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Texas and Atlanta, had expressed interest. One report had the Twins outbidding Texas to land him.

Hunter is 39. How much he has left in the tank is a valid question. But he was interested in finishing his career with the Twins, and the Twins could use his veteran savvy to influence some of their younger players. Even if his production drops off, he still could he useful as an unofficial player-coach.

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