While this season comes to a close, there is much speculation regarding the future of several current Twins….  Will Santana be traded?  Will the Twins resign Hunter?  One question that is just starting to surface….  Will Barry Bonds land in Minnesota?

Barry has publically stated that he wants to play for 1 or 2 more years.  While everyone in baseball knows that Barry is past his prime playing days, the popular consensus is that he can still see and more importantly hit the ball.  Since his days in left field are likely over, it only make sense that he makes his way out of the friendly confines of AT&T ballpark and to the roster of an American League team in need.

Usually a guy like Barry would likely be snapped up by one of the big market teams like the Yankees, Red Sox or White Sox.  This situation is somewhat different though.  All of those teams have their DH and are not looking to pay for a guy who will ride the bench.  After reviewing the current AL rosters it appears that the following teams are NOT in need of Barry’s services:

Red Sox:  Big Papi
Yankees:  Giambi
White Sox:  Thome
Tigers:  Sheff
Indians: Hafner
Angels:  This is typically platooned by Garrett Anderson and Vlad
Orioles:  The DH is also platooned by Aufrey Huff and Kevin Millar
Blue Jays:  Frank Thomas

That leaves the following squads with immediate DH needs:
Royals, Mariners, Devil Rays, Rangers, Athletics and our beloved Twins

In my opinion, the Royals would never make a move…  They are happy living at the bottom of the AL Central.  The Blue Jays could make a move considering that they are in a constant battle to overcome the evil empires of Boston and New York.  The Devil Rays are horrible and would not bring in a guy like Bonds (because even Barry wouldn’t bring in ticket sales to that God forsaken stadium). 

That leaves the Mariners, Rangers and Twins as contenders.

As I see it, this is a three team race.  The Twins might have a slight advantage in that they are still considered “playoff contenders”.  With better situational hitting, next year they could be back in the mix in the AL Central.

So….  What would the fans of Minneapolis and St. Paul think about Bonds?  I’m not sure.  Personally, I would love to see him play DH and hit his 20 Homeruns and 80 RBIs.  The second reason i’d love to see him would be because of what he would do to the rest of the lineup.  Put Cuddy in the clean up spot and Bonds at fifth…  All of a sudden Cuddy will see GREAT pitches.  Think of this lineup:

Bartlett
Mauer
Morneau
Cuddy
Bonds
Hunter (i’m praying that they find a way)
Left Fielder
Third Baseman
Castilla

I’d take that.

With this season coming to a close, I can’t help but think about the future of Torii Hunter.  Over the past 10 seasons, Torii has been a rock in centerfield.  With his acrobatic catches, robbed homeruns and mile-wide smile I must admit that I have come very attached to this player.  To me and dare I say thousands of other Twins fans, Torii has become the Kirby of present day.  His enthusiasm and love for the game, his teammates and the communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, we could not have asked for more from him as a player.

As the season comes to a close (finally!), we will soon know the fate of our beloved centerfielder.  The Twins have 2 weeks after the end of the regular season in which they can sign him to a contract without the fear of him being stolen by another team (read New York, Chicago, Boston, Texas).  Once Torii hits the free market he will likely be commanding deals of 5 years in excess of 70 million for that time. 

Terry Ryan and the rest of the Twins front office have held the stance that there is no negotiation during the season on any of its players.  Terry has since moved on, but that decision will likely put the last nail in the coffin.  That decision will likely put more buts in the Metrodome seats once a year when the Twins play the teams like the Rangers, Sox or Yanks.

Torii has publicly stated that he’d love to finish his career as a Twin.  He even indicated that he might offer a home-town discount if the Twins would come to the negotiation table.  The Twins have thus far called his bluff. 

This truly is a sad time to be a Twins fan.  With a good, young core of ballplayers, losing a 6-time Gold Glove centerfielder will not be something that can be replaced.  No disrespect for Denard Span……but he’s no Torii Hunter!

Only time will tell if the Twins will be able to sign Torii.  As a blogger and more importantly an avid Twins fan, I will keep hoping that a miracle can happen at 34 Puckett Place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8KgXoqcOtw