Torii Hunter in Detroit to discuss contract possibilities – MLB Update
Torii Hunter is desperate to play for the Tigers, reports CBSSports.com. The source claimed that the former Los Angeles Angels’ outfielder visited Detroit to have a meeting with the Tigers’ officials.
There are a couple of good reasons why Hunter is looking at Detroit as a perfect landing spot. Firstly, he wants to be signed by a team that will open next season as the favourites to win the World Series title. Tigers have kept most of their team together
for the next season. With the likes of Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Austin Jackson in their batting line-up, the defending American League Champions will be hard to overcome.
Secondly, Hunter’s son Torii Jr. has been reportedly signed to play football at Notre Dame next year. It seems geography is the main reason he is in favour of working in Detroit.
Hunter has already said he wants to seal a deal sooner rather than later. He has history of signing contract with the teams before the winter ball. In 2007, the Los Angeles Angels confirmed Hunter’s deal before Thanksgiving Day.
In his official visit to Detroit on Tuesday, the free agent spoke to the Tigers’ officials. The Tigers have not made him an official contract offer as of Monday but it is possible they could make an offer to him as part of the meeting.
"I encourage all these players to go through it at least once in their career. It’s a lot of fun going through it. But at the same time, you try to grab those teams early because, before you know it, they might not need you anymore. You try to grab those
teams that best fit you and if you know who you want to play for and you’re talking to those teams, you go ahead and grab them right then and there," Hunter said in an interview.
Earlier Carlos Beltran was offered a two year $26 million contract by the St. Louis Cardinals. According to sources Hunter is hoping for a contract in that range. It will be interesting to see if the outfielder, who hit .313 with 16 home-runs and 92 RBI’s
last season, can put together a fine season in Detroit to help the Tigers win their first World Series title since 1984.
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