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Is Torii Hunter an Angel?

Thecheatsmoking_tiny by The Cheat on in News

The main page of MLB.com seems to think so, though the link goes only to his player page right now.

It takes about 2 minutes to type a couple of paragraphs and get them posted online... Perhaps someone is at MLBAM is having some fun while his bosses are away for the holiday?

Doesn't make sense to me. I suppose they are trying to get out from under the dumb Sarge Jr. contract, and have the ability to package some of their young arms with him to the fish for Miguel Cabrera.

On the bright side, now we get to overspend for an aging middle reliever and The Legend.

Update [2007-11-22 2:12:50 by The Cheat]: Not that I should doubt MLB.com, but the LA times is reporting that the deal is believed to be in the 5/$90MM range.

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This is good and bad.
Good, because I didn't want KW overpaying Hunter, bad because it means we're that much closer to overpaying The Legend.

by Grig on Nov 22, 2007 1:20 AM CST   0 recs

It could be catastrophic
You still have all the teams who were thought to be in on Hunter probably pursuing Rowand now. Obviously the White Sox will have the inside track there, but the price just got much steeper, perhaps even too rich for the Sox.

Then they're down to Jones and Cameron who I figure are something like Plan F and G in their plans. They could conceivably be looking at re-upping with Erstad.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Nov 22, 2007 1:26 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

id rather go owens in center
so instead of pitching to torii hunter we were talking with linebrink... ughh.. o well maybe kenny will have something up his sleeve

by Jbasic89 on Nov 22, 2007 1:29 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Re-upping Erstad is far from the worst thing
that could happen.

That's how bad things are -- signing Erstad to $6M deal would be better than the almost all the apparent alternatives at this point.

by hitlesswonder on Nov 22, 2007 1:38 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

You're right
Erstad might be the most palatable option the White Sox front office is considering. Cuz, you know, Jones (Boras) and Cameron haven't crossed their mind.
AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Nov 22, 2007 1:47 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I disagree!
bringing back Erstad is the worst thing that could happen

by The Wizard on Nov 22, 2007 2:08 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Agreed.
Bringing up any, and I mean -any- outfielder from our farm system would be better than Erstad. Yes, even Terstado.
"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Nov 22, 2007 9:37 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

How could they possibly bring Erstad or Owens
back?  They're praying for replacement level offensive contribution at that point.  
OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 22, 2007 1:41 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

That would be apocalyptic.
If they resign Erstad.. I really don't know what I do. Cry for days, most likely. Ritualistic burning of White Sox gear? I don't know.

Andruw Jones would make it all okay.

by Grig on Nov 22, 2007 1:28 AM CST   0 recs

if they resigned erstad
id become a cubs fan no doubt

by Jbasic89 on Nov 22, 2007 1:30 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I absolutely hate that guy
I can't watch his f-ing face in a sox uniform again

if our options are down to darin effin erstad, bring Pods back

by The Wizard on Nov 22, 2007 2:03 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Haha... damn, old man!
I didn't know you felt that strongly about Tinkerbell. I don't want him in a Sox uni either... I'd much rather see BA or Terrero out there.
"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Nov 22, 2007 9:40 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Would we rather overpay Hunter or Aaron?
Hunter's got more power and a better walk rate, Aaron's two years younger.  I don't think I want either and would rather take a 3/30 for Fukudome.
OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 22, 2007 1:39 AM CST   0 recs

If Fukodome really only wants $10M a year
I really wish the Sox would sign him, move Dye to LF and just stick freaking Owens in CF. To think -- Linebrink's contract is about two-thirds of what Fukodome's contract would cost.

by hitlesswonder on Nov 22, 2007 1:45 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

again you're probably right
We normally don't agree this much. I'm scared.
AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Nov 22, 2007 1:48 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Dye should be in left anyway.
Which is something I always forget when I get all "I would do this."  Anyway, from what I've read, Fukudome can play center more than adequately.  Dye-Fuku-Fields is solid and fairly cheap if Fuku's only getting 10 per.  I don't see why Fuku can't be the guy to solve our leadoff/cf woes.  Even if he hits very poorly and goes .250/.330/.380, that's still Coco Crisp and not Jerry Owens and doesn't cost prospects.
OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 22, 2007 2:24 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

On the other hand...
The LAA are making fascinating moves. They must be planning on shipping GMJr and their extra starter (Santana?) to FLA for Cabrera along with almost all of GMJr's salary. What an excellent trade that would be for them -- must be nice to have enough money to recover from a mistake by acquiring MCab.

by hitlesswonder on Nov 22, 2007 1:42 AM CST   0 recs

This is what it looks like
when you get fed up with bowing out in the playoffs and decide to win the '08 WS.
OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 22, 2007 3:15 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Bye Torii
I thought everyone was petrified about the possibility of the Sox signing Hunter.  Now that he's out of the picture, shouldn't we be glad we can take a shot at Jones or someone cheaper?  Have some faith in Kenny.  He did alright in 05 and 06.  Let's just wait a bit before jumping off the roof.

by Raf on Nov 22, 2007 1:52 AM CST   0 recs

PLZ KENNY PLZ!!!
All I want for Christ-mas is Andruw Jones.
"I'm not a 6-year-old." -Brian Nikola "Ungrindy" Anderson

by omnipotent grab on Nov 22, 2007 1:58 AM CST   0 recs

I would like to hear
what money you'd want him for and why.
OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 22, 2007 3:09 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Hunter's not stupid
He kept saying on his tour that he wanted to win a championship. Boston and NY didn't seem to be interested.

Even though the Rangers have what is now considered a Top 5 farm system, it's hard to have too much more hope about their immediate future than the White Sox or Royals.

If I could, I would put money on the Angels winning a title during Hunter's contract against the chances of all the other (non-dodger) clubs who were courting him.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Nov 22, 2007 2:24 AM CST   0 recs

but he went to the team that made the best offer
I think the Sox and royals offers were at 5/75, the rangers at under 15 for 6 years, and the twins 3/45

it's not like he chose a smaller offer in order to go to team more likely to win

by The Wizard on Nov 23, 2007 12:57 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Woa
Why were so many Sox fans out there in Chicago in recent days dreading the possible signing of Hunter? The money? Age? The money plus the age?
I'm out here in Hawaii-originally from Chicago- and just heard that he signed with the Angeles. Have to admit I was bummed out because I've been mightily impressed with his play on the Twinkies. Yet, $90MM seems a bit much.  

by egardne on Nov 22, 2007 2:59 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

basically, he's a candidate to age very poorly
As soon as he can't play center anymore, he becomes an average left fielder and those are easy enough to find.  That's assuming his bat doesn't fall off, either.  My guess: 36 million of those dollars will  pay for consecutive .250/.320/.460 seasons, one as a bad CF, the other in left.
OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 22, 2007 3:09 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

No
Andruw Jones is younger.  The general attachment to Jones derives from a couple of different things, though.  First, Jones is perceived to be a better defender at this current point in time than Hunter is.  Second -- and this may contribute to the first one -- Jones is a year or two younger than Hunter (don't feel like checkin' bb-ref now).  Third, there's a perception that Jones may have to end up settling for a one or two year deal (not necessarily a two year deal, but perhaps something like a five year deal with an opt out).

And I guess I should also add that Jones, up until last year, has been a much better offensive player.

Unfortunately, my confidence in the people running this team has hit an all time low.  One thing Kenny hasn't done in his tenure was overpaid for not-great relievers.  I didn't think that was something he was going to do, as he's always built his bullpens through scrap-heap signings and nifty trades, but giving 4/$19 to Linebrink takes that away.

I tried to avoid much of the doom and gloom but damn.  I really had faith that Kenny -- to put it bluntly -- knew what he was doing, but damn, it's hard to think that right now.

by CWSKeith on Nov 22, 2007 4:29 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Not that we were going to get Andruw Jones before
but we definitely aren't signing him now if Hunter gets 5-years, $90 million.  I hope Kenny enjoyed busting his nut on a $19 million dollar reliever when we have holes in CF and LF.  Looks like Jerry Owens is a lock to be in one of those spots now.  Great...

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 5:50 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'm sure Kenny will restore your faith in him...
when he gives The Legend a 5-year, $75 million dollar deal.  Haha...

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 6:03 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

By the way...
Like I said a few weeks ago, Albert Belle is still the last big name free agent position player that the White Sox have shelled out the cash for.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 6:15 AM CST   0 recs

he was
already on our team though

by Jbasic89 on Nov 22, 2007 2:36 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

wasn't he a Free Agent at the time?
wasn't his contract over at the time?

it must've been; I remember him talking with other teams

by The Wizard on Nov 22, 2007 6:35 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

ya but
its not as big of a move when he played the last season on your team.

by Jbasic89 on Nov 22, 2007 6:39 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

So what does our bullpen look like now?
Wassermann
Logan
MacDougal
Thornton
Linebrink
Jenks

It seems like once Kenny heard that Hunter was going to sign with the Angels, he decided the throw money at Linebrink.  Aardsma, Masset, and Sisco all need to be traded.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 7:00 AM CST   0 recs

That Hunter, what a weasel
He really had me going when he went on and on praising how true the grass was at the Cell.  Damn, I thought fer sure he was digging us.
"We've missed a little bit of that grind and edge and we've got to get that back." - Kenny Williams

by ChicagoPete on Nov 22, 2007 7:02 AM CST   0 recs

Haha, WSCR 670 "The Score" is saying...
that Kenny got outbid by $20 million by the Angels.  Sounds like Kenny offered a 5-year, $70 million contract to Hunter.  I wouldn't be surprised if the same contract nets us Rowand.  I sure wish Andruw Jones didn't have Boras as his agent...

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 7:45 AM CST   0 recs

Without the roids, he is mediocre...
.252/.323/.419/.742

I would rather give Brian Anderson another shot than add an old, expensive, and mediocre hitter.

Scioscia said that Matthews will play all outfield spots while giving Vlad and Garret Anderson time at DH according to this article.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 8:28 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Juan Rivera...
now that the Angels have a ton of outfielders, a decent move might be to trade one of our bum relievers like Andy Sisco or Nick Masset to the Angels for Juan Rivera.  He might be a decent LF'er for us.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 9:48 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

According to the Associated Press, it's 5 / $90...
Link:
The Los Angeles Angels, who have been trying to land another strong hitter for several years, agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal Wednesday with free agent Torii Hunter, who hit .297 with 28 homers and drove in 107 runs for Minnesota this year.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 8:32 AM CST   0 recs

And per ESPN.com:
Link:
Outfielder Torii Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a five-year contract thought to be worth $90 million.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 8:34 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I guess this would be great news...
if we were fans of a team that needs a CF'er and actually deals with Scott Boras.  Now, Kenny's down to Aaron Rowand, Kosuke_Fukudome, and Mike Cameron.  Since Andruw Jones is a pipe-dream, my top choice would be Kosuke Fukudome.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 8:52 AM CST   0 recs

Time for some good news...
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, after receiving a five-year, $93 million offer from the Twins, Johan Santana made a counter-offer for $126 million.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 9:00 AM CST   0 recs

The Angels came out of nowhere..
Who knew they wanted Hunter? Why can't we pull something like this without the whole league knowing about it?

by ckimcircles on Nov 22, 2007 9:29 AM CST   0 recs

re
Why can't we pull something like this

like what?

by The Wizard on Nov 22, 2007 2:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised if we end up with Owens in
center.  I don't think Kenny wants to outbid any team for an outfielder.

by ckimcircles on Nov 22, 2007 9:31 AM CST   0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised if we signed Rowand now...
but his price just went up to around $75 million for 5 years.  That may be too high for Kenny as well.  And Andruw Jones is a pipe-dream.  I wouldn't mind signing Mike Cameron for 2 - 3 years but the fact that he will miss the first 25 games next season sucks.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 9:36 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Any rumors on the market for Cameron?
If he can get more than two years, it's best to let him go elsewhere.  If not, he'd be a good signing.  No idea if Hunter's contract will raise his value.

Speaking of rumors, is it unusual that 12 hours after the news broke the only identified source for the Linebrink signing is Bruce Levine's report?  Shouldn't corroborating reports (as with Hunter's signing) exist by now if there's a deal?

by asinwreck on Nov 22, 2007 9:40 AM CST   0 recs

It sounds like the signing will be official...
by next week.  I remember this happening a few times last offseason.  Last year, there were many rumors of signings or trades that MLB.com posted on their website that weren't official for a few days.  Just put it this way -- if they are posting this rumor on WhiteSox.com, you can bet your left nut that it's official.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 9:43 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'm so sick of these rumors
with Hunter getting close, Rowand coming back, Miguel Cabrebra, etc.....Joe Cowley just spews garbage half the time with no real cred.

by ckimcircles on Nov 22, 2007 10:00 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

disinformation
Maybe they feed the press this stuff to conceal what's really going on.

The press can't say they got lied to because they rely on getting scoops. You expose a guy for misleading you, and you'll never get a "scoop" again. Plus the guy will throw you under the bus anyway.

No wonder the press are jerks sometimes, when they get used by players, agents and/or management.

by ruffster on Nov 22, 2007 12:21 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I was always on the fence
when it came to going after Hunter. Like many here, I wanted to see the team get younger before they started dishing out 5 year deals to 32 year-old players. But with the Cabrera and Linebrink moves, and KW's 'balls to the wall' to win in 2008 mentality, missing on Hunter is really a kick in the pants. I hope Kenny feels the pressure on his back as it's pressed against the wall. If he wants to make good on 2008, he's really going to need to pull something out of his ass--and that something needs to be more than Aaron Rowand or Mike Cameron.

by HulkSmash on Nov 22, 2007 9:55 AM CST   0 recs

Kenny is screwed now...
the only CF'er worth signing is Andruw Jones but that isn't going to happen with Boras around.  I guess Kenny can still trade for a CF'er but I'd rather give up money than good prospects for one.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 10:05 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

You didn't want
Hunter... Now KW is screwed? No he's not you just hate KW lol.
"Because I'm Chevy Chase and you're not."

by Soulja Boy on Nov 22, 2007 8:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Please
Jones or Rowand
AIM : Option27

by Option27 on Nov 22, 2007 10:06 AM CST   0 recs

or The Great Fuku
or even better: Lastings Milledge!

:p

by The Wizard on Nov 22, 2007 6:41 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

How messed up would it be...
if Kenny misses out on all four top CF free agents (Hunter, Jones, Rowand, and Cameron) and we wind up with Owens or Erstad in CF.  Kill me now.

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 10:09 AM CST   0 recs

How about this?
Sign Kosuke Fukudome for 3-years, $30 million (give or take a few million).  Trade Crede or some of our reliever excess to the Angels for OF Juan Rivera, assuming he is healthy from his broken leg.  You could probably get around an .800 OPS from every member of our outfield then and you would still have some OBP at the top of the order...

CF  Kosuke Fukudome
SS  Orlando Cabrera
DH  Jim Thome
1B  Paul Konerko
RF  Jermaine Dye
3B  Josh Fields
LF  Juan Rivera
C   A.J. Pierzynski
2B  Danny Richar

Sign another reliever (Yasuhiko Yabuta?) and use the money saved from not overpaying a top CF'er on another starter (Bartolo Colon?).  Stay cheap with the bench (Owens, Bourgeois, etc.).

by SSH2005 on Nov 22, 2007 10:23 AM CST   0 recs

this arrangment..
would be awesome.. I'd soo take this dude.. Sorry.. got the jon garland thing going.. I never thought I would see garland and hunter live in l.a., but now that it seems like reality, Th angels should be serious, serious contenders, expecially if they pull off a miggy trade.. forget about it. They would have  around the same veteran, younger presence as boston has right now in weaver, aybar, willits, wood, and cabrera to build around. I would assume kendrick, adenhart, and santana to be sucked up in this trade,  but this is indeed how you turn over a team. The angels have been, perhaps too patient on some front, but with miggy cabrera, that patience will indeed pay off.

Hopefully the sox could pry rivera away and fukudome could sign up with the sox for a 3 year/team option for 4th year contract. Everything about that guy is certain you will upgrade there.

It's all about the SOX baby! www.firestarclothing.com

by Eternalkonflict on Nov 22, 2007 12:05 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

The guy is playing RF in Japan
 I don't think CF is an option for him. I would like to sign him for LF or RF, but him playing CF in MLB is a bit of a pipe dream.

by bhoov on Nov 22, 2007 12:36 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I don't know
The Angels have Figgins why would the want Crede
I'm a disgruntled Whitesox fan and I can't spell

by chisox on Nov 22, 2007 12:56 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Congrats, Kenny
With these bush-league moves over the last year, you are cementing the White Sox as the clear #2 in Chicago.  Go to hell.

by LVSoxFan on Nov 22, 2007 11:36 AM CST   0 recs

Rowand fits better anyways
Torii has a history of breaking our hearts.

The hell with him.

AIM : Option27

by Option27 on Nov 22, 2007 11:38 AM CST   0 recs

Remember, (Bruce) Levine said
"he was positive Konerko was going to be dealt."

Definitely more to come

by ballyb on Nov 22, 2007 12:03 PM CST   0 recs

Darn!
I had Dec. 11th for the ARow signing. Now, it looks like it'll be a few days sooner.

by White Sox Randy on Nov 22, 2007 12:11 PM CST   0 recs

I don't fault KW here.
The 5/70 offer was a fair one for Hunter. The Angels decided to overspend and they are in a terrific position to do so.

It's gonna be good to be an Angels fan. But, I have a feeling KW will come out ok. He got the Sox a decent reliever without giving up any players atleast. It's not that bad.

Sign ARow now and maybe they will trade Jose and Paulie ? Atleast it's getting exciting !

by White Sox Randy on Nov 22, 2007 12:19 PM CST   0 recs

angels can have hunter....
.... I don't think he's that much better than Matthews anyway.

by ruffster on Nov 22, 2007 12:25 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

just a few questions
who can we trade with for Crede?  I know most of the NL west needs a 3b, but what other teams are in the market with possible bullpen talent

anyway we can pry coco from Boston?

who willl start in LF?

4-5th starter? please sign someone to a one-year deal because i already have a case of the gavin floyds

by tubesox on Nov 22, 2007 12:22 PM CST   0 recs

Great news!
Torii Hunter at 18 million a year through age 37? No thanks. Good job by KW. Offer him a reasonable contract and if someone wants to overpay, let them. I don't think this drives up the price for Andruw Jones. The guy hit .222 last year with decreased power. I'd offer hime the same as Hunter and be willing to go up to 5/75. More than that? He can walk. Rowand? 4/48. If not. See ya.

I'd rather see Owens/Anderson with Fukodome in left than overpay for anybody.

by bhoov on Nov 22, 2007 12:41 PM CST   0 recs

He can't play center
so I don't think it would work well.  I still think we should try to get him if he's cheap, but as a 4th OF and very frequent pinch hitter.
OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 22, 2007 1:57 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

its time to go all out
to get delmon young or carl crawford from the rays. give them what it takes besides fields. id rather have delmon young though because hell be less money and better than crawford eventually

by Jbasic89 on Nov 22, 2007 1:59 PM CST   0 recs

yabuta
[kc star]:
But the Royals are making a push. They already have an agreement in place with Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta and believe new manager Trey Hillman's five years in Japan offers a further enticement. ... The Royals expect to confirm th