Angels sign Torii Hunter

[Jay Bruce]

From Rotoworld:

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels have signed Torii Hunter to a five-year contract worth $80 million.

The Rangers and White Sox appeared to be the front-runners for Hunter and the Angels seemed set at the position with Gary Matthews Jr. and Reggie Willits, but instead hand out a big contract to a free-agent center fielder for the second straight offseason. Hunter's agent said Wednesday that "it all happened within the last 24 hours" and the signing comes after Hunter said earlier this week that he wouldn't make a decision until after Thanksgiving. A seven-time Gold Glover who batted .287 with 28 homers and 107 RBI in 2007, Hunter could see plenty of RBI chances if he's asked to hit behind Vladimir Guerrero. The signing figures to push Matthews to a corner spot, with either Guerrero or Garret Anderson sliding to designated hitter and Willits going to the bench, but the Angels could look to trade some of their outfield depth for a shortstop.

That's 16 million a year for a centerfielder already declining defensively, and who has never had an OBP above .337. Better them than us.

[Orenda]

From Rotoworld:



That's 16 million a year for a centerfielder already declining defensively, and who has never had an OBP above .337. Better them than us.

Somewhere I think an Angels fan is laughing at you

[Degenerate39]

I wonder who will play Center Torii or Gary Matthews Jr.

[Will M]

Tori Hunter is OBP challenged but overall a very good player.
He can man CF for a few more years then switch to a corner ( he has enough power to be a good corner OF ).

$90M for 5 years. Wow! This is why a small market team like the Reds needs to keep Hamilton, Bruce, Votto, etc. They are cheap and productive. The Reds have money to pay a few big salaries but not as much money as the big teams do.

[AmarilloRed]

One further note; the Twins get the Angels 27th overall draft pick next June as a part of this signing.

[*BaseClogger*]

This could drive up asking price by Dunn in extension negotiations...

[757690]

From Rotoworld:



That's 16 million a year for a centerfielder already declining defensively, and who has never had an OBP above .337. Better them than us.

Further proof that OBP is over-rated. Obviously it is better to be on base more often than not, but the name of the game is run production.
A team needs guys who get on base, and guys like Hunter who drive them in. Tony Perez had a lifetime .341 OBP. Would you say he was not a valuable player for the Reds?
Also, the Angels have plenty of high OBP guys and desperately needed a RBI guy like Hunter.


Still I agree that Hunter is most llkely to decline during this contract. I also think that this was insurance in case Matthews gets suspended or worse for his HGH shipments.

[Stephenk29]

ESPN said Hunter would likely play CF over Mathews. Talk about a great problem to have, two gold glove caliber Centerfielders. If there OF is Mathews, Hunter, Gurrero...holy cow what a defense.

[*BaseClogger*]

Further proof that OBP is over-rated. Obviously it is better to be on base more often than not, but the name of the game is run production.
A team needs guys who get on base, and guys like Hunter who drive them in. Tony Perez had a lifetime .341 OBP. Would you say he was not a valuable player for the Reds?
Also, the Angels have plenty of high OBP guys and desperately needed a RBI guy like Hunter.


Still I agree that Hunter is most llkely to decline during this contract. I also think that this was insurance in case Matthews gets suspended or worse for his HGH shipments.

yeah, but if you're not getting on base your getting out. if Hunter gets on base, eventually a runner will have to cross the plate...

[Bip Roberts]

angels wouldnt go after Arod yet they signed Hunter to a 90 million dollar contract when they already have 3 decent OFer. Sick job there Angels

[*BaseClogger*]

angels wouldnt go after Arod yet they signed Hunter to a 90 million dollar contract when they already have 3 decent OFer. Sick job there Angels

yeah, remember this is the team that gave GMJR a huge contract last offseason...

[captainmorgan07]

my guess is they trade somebody they have a crowded outfield with vlad, matthews jr., hunter, rivera, willits, and garret anderson.

[Degenerate39]

my guess is they trade somebody they have a crowded outfield with vlad, matthews jr., hunter, rivera, willits, and garret anderson.

I heard on XM Radio that they're going to put Matthews Jr. in Left Field, Hunter in Center, Vlad in Right, and Anderson at DH.

[757690]

yeah, but if you're not getting on base your getting out. if Hunter gets on base, eventually a runner will have to cross the plate...

Not really sure what you mean. There are plenty of ways for Hunter to get on base without a runner eventually scoring. Happens all the time. Maybe I am not understanding what you mean.

Also, if Hunter has 100 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, wouldn't you rather he gets 25 hits in those situations, instead of 35 walks?

[reds2221]

Not really sure what you mean. There are plenty of ways for Hunter to get on base without a runner eventually scoring. Happens all the time. Maybe I am not understanding what you mean.

Also, if Hunter has 100 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, wouldn't you rather he gets 25 hits in those situations, instead of 35 walks?

sometimes you may want that, but you also have to remember that just because its a walk doesn't mean that there's not a chance of anyone scoring on the play. And also, if the runner is on second, there is a chance that he will NOT score a run on the play.