Hunter, Baseball's Angels, Agree to Five-Year, $90 Million Contract

One of the top remaining center fielders, two-time, all-star Torii Hunter agreed to a five-year, $90-million contract. The finalization of this contract is dependent on Hunter passing a physical. Torii Hunter was a member of the upper echelon of talent in this year's free agent class as a "Type A" free agent. Hunter has spent his entire career in the Minnesota organization. Hunter worked his way through the minor league system and made it to the major league club. It had been speculated annually that Hunter would leave for a larger market. 2008 is the year this will finally occur. The Twins could not afford to pay the star.

This signing is a surprising move as the Angels agreed to a sizeable contract with center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., in last year's free agency. It appeared that the Angels were set at center field. However, there is concern about Gary Matthews as he has been linked to the use of HGH, a designer steroid. His future is uncertain as he may be suspended by the commissioner's office pending the results of investigation.

Hunter has incredible defensive talent, which is highlighted by seven gold gloves in nine full major league seasons. Hunter has won the award every year from 2001 to 2007 which is an impressive run. Only the likes of Roberto Clemente, Willy Mays, Ken Griffey, and a select few others have earned the prestigious award more times. Despite the talent of incumbent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. Hunter provides an immediate defensive upgrade for Los Angeles. Expect Matthews to lose his starting center field position. Matthews will DH while garnering the occasional outfield start. His bat is expect to remain in the Angel lineup.

While the defensive upgrade of Torii Hunter will be welcomed, it is his offensive prowess that will prove most useful to the team. Last year Hunter averaged a respectable .287 batting average, 107 RBI, 94 runs, and 28 home runs. Hunter is also known to steal the occasional base, stealing 18 bags in 2007. For the past several years the Angels have provided little offensive protection to Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero has repeatedly posted all-star caliber statistics despite the lack of offensive talent around him. Teams were able to neutralize his effect by pitching around him since they did not fear his teammates offensively. Now teams must pitch to either Hunter, or Vladimir which should improve the statistics of both players.

The talent of the free agent market continued to shrink with this latest signing. The strong class of center fielders has dwindled. The best remaining center fielder is Andrew Jones. Jones is coming off an abysmal year offensively by his standards and thus is not as attractive of a signing as he once was. Mike Cameron, a strong candidate, must serve a 25 game suspension to start the season, which will make teams averse to signing him. The rest of the market is markedly weak. Teams looking for center field help must settle for less or look to trade for a new center fielder. Do not be surprised to see Coco Crisp tradedto a new team. The Red Sox will try to install Jacoby Ellsbury as their regular center fielder. Crisp could be a valuable addition to a team in need of outfield help.

Sources:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjeZ0dX9hvnjfC8.7nSDMFgRvLYF?slug=ap-angels-hunter&prov=ap&type=lgns

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hunteto01.shtml