Hunter Believes He Is Out The Door

Torii Hunter, the face of the Minnesota Twins franchise for the last four years, believes he will be the next Twin to be shown the door by General Manager Terry Ryan. According the the Star Tribune, Hunter has reportedly put his condominium up for sale, and may be playing for only his second organization of his entire career in 2006.

Torii Hunter has put his condominium up for sale, a move that appears to signal the end of his Minnesota career. He has decided to just rent a place now, and it looks as if a trade is now inevitable. He is under contract for 2006 with a club option for 2007.

Hunter, who is arguably the best defensive centerfielder in the American League, told the Star Tribune that he heard from people he trusts that he is likely to be traded in the off-season.

”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 have seen good friends leave here.”

Hunter has been out of the Twins’ lineup since late July, when he broke his leg at Fenway Park in Boston. At that point, he was batting only .269, but was leading the team in runs, RBI, doubles, and stolen bases.

A trade of Hunter could possibly send a message that the Twins are going to be dipping into their vast amount of prospects in the Minor League. Eastern League Post-Season All-Star Alexander Romero and Denard Span are two players that come to mind.

However, losing Hunter would be a devestating blow to Twins fans, who have come to love his acrobatic plays in centerfield. Hunter won back-to-back-to-back American League Gold Glove awards from 2001-2003.

For his career, Hunter is a .267 hitter, with 133 home runs in 927 games. Drafted by the Twins in the first round of the 1993 draft, Hunter has spent his entire career in Minnesota, and would almost seem out of place anywhere else.

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