Torii Hunter has seen several of his close friends leave the franchise in recent years. Is he about to join them as an ex-Twin?

 

Although he's under contract with Minnesota for the 2006 season and the Twins have a club option on him for 2007, the center fielder has put his condominium on the market, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Friday.

 

"I'm putting it up for sale and will be renting an apartment," Hunter told the Star Tribune. "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 told the newspaper that he's heard from people he trusts that he could be traded this offseason. Hunter's 2006 salary of $10.75 million would be the highest single-season in Twins history. The Twins have a $12 million option on him for the 2007 season, or could buy him out for $2 million.

 

The Twins, however, told the newspaper that they would have to overwhelmed to trade their Gold Glove center fielder. But Hunter believes he could be dealt.

 

"I've heard 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," he told the newspaper.

 

Twins general manager Terry Ryan told the Star Tribune that he hasn't talked with Hunter about his future with the team and wouldn't comment on a possible trade of Hunter.

 

"That's a personal decision," Ryan told the newpaper of Hunter putting his home for sale, "not a baseball decision.

 

Hunter has been out since late July when he broke his left ankle trying to make an acrobatic catch against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Hunter's spikes got stuck in the padding on the wall, and his ankle twisted awkwardly before he crumpled to the ground in pain.

 

At the time of the injury, Hunter was batting .269, but his 63 runs, 24 doubles, 56 RBI and 23 steals were all tops on the team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2163464

I liketh teh Torii

Most likely candidate to trade for him are the Yanks. They're one of the few teams crazy enough to pick up his almost $11 million salary and they actually need a new center fielder.

Damn, I had no idea his salary was so insanely high.

Who will Terry Ryan rape with a trade next? I swear, he is baseball's most underrated GM. Gets half of the recognition that Billy Beane does, with as much success (and money).

Hunter at 11 million is actually overpaid, especially for a small market team like the Twinkies, and they LOVE Lew Ford, so I could see Torii getting dealt.

Who will Terry Ryan rape with a trade next? I swear, he is baseball's most underrated GM. Gets half of the recognition that Billy Beane does, with as much success (and money).

948298[/snapback]

 

Terry Ryan wasn't in any best selling book last time I checked. :mischief