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.