Updated Nov 12, 2012 - 3:30 pm

Mariners have interest in Torii Hunter

By Shannon Drayer

Perhaps one of the first top-tier free agents to sign this offseason will be Torii Hunter, who told the MLB Network this morning that he will make his decision quickly on what team he will sign with. The Dodgers, Rangers, Tigers, Braves and Yankees are all teams reported to have interest in him.

Hunter is a player the Mariners have had their eye on for some time. What is not clear is how far they would go to attempt to sign the 37-year-old outfielder. He appears to be a good fit in the short term, filling a need in the outfield and batting order. The Mariners would be able to offer him an everyday job, something he is looking for.

Signing Hunter would still appear to be a longshot for the Mariners with World Series contenders in the mix. The Rangers, who practically play in Hunter's back yard in Texas, would most likely be very high on his list.

Playing close to home and staying in the American League are believed to be priorities for Hunter, who expressed a strong desire to stay in Anaheim before the team cut ties with him by not giving him a qualifying offer. With no qualifying offer made, the team that signs Hunter will not have to give up a draft pick.

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Newton wrote...

Who cares they are going to suck anyway.

November 13, 2012 12:16 am

Built to suck for the future!.

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Stevil wrote...

@newton

November 13, 2012 10:03 am

If you can get past your oral-fixation, there's plenty of good baseball conversation to take part in.

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Dan1 wrote...

To bad he's not interested in the Mariners

November 13, 2012 6:17 am

Nobody is for that matter!

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Lessmith50 wrote...

Really

November 13, 2012 7:00 am

Is this suppose to get the gut punched fans excited? A 37 yr old player that is deteriating and breaking down or just walk away in the sunset with a boat load of cash from the loser franchise after a .220 BA.
God knows this team needs veteran leadership. No we dont need a 37 yr old with ZERO future for this AA team.

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Stevil wrote...

@less

November 13, 2012 10:08 am

Look at his batting line and fielding stats from last year, and tell me where he's deteriorating and breaking down. He was one of the best outfielders in the game last season. There's a reason so many good teams are interested in him.

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Lessmith50 wrote...

Stevil

November 13, 2012 11:23 am

I know he HAS had a great career. This team does need a veteran presence badly. Just not a 37-38 yrd old that is declining. That is the history of dumb and dumber. Bring in washed up veterans. It would be ok if you had another veteran.

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Stevil wrote...

^

November 13, 2012 11:46 am

The point is that there's nothing to suggest he's seriously declining. He was one of the top WAR outfielders last season. But I'm not getting my hopes up. Texas and Detroit, even NY, would probably be a more attractable gig.

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zachsmith wrote...

Hunter

November 14, 2012 8:24 am

To think that a 37 year old OF isn't in decline is a stretch i think. Even if you havn't seen him fall off yet, it's coming. Father time gets every athlete.

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Stevil wrote...

^

November 15, 2012 6:30 am

When his numbers are in-line with his career numbers, you can't say he's seriously declining. Will he decline some eventually? Of course. That's why you sign him to a one or two year deal -which Detroit has just done.

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Sir Wesley wrote...

Tori Hunter

November 13, 2012 7:24 am

I have admired Tori Hunter's play for a lot of years and that's the problem. He is in the twilight of a better than average career. He is not the answer to this team's needs for veteran leadership. Even if he were interested and could be signed for little money and lots of incentives, he takes up space on the 40-man which could better be used by someone who will help the team beyond next year. Tori and Texas seem to be made for each other.

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Stevil wrote...

@wesley

November 13, 2012 10:12 am

He's the text-book definition of a veteran leader and he makes perfect sense because he wont require a long-term deal. But it's not like he'd be blocking anybody. Robinson, Thames, and Peguero aren't going to be a part of the future. Hunter put up great numbers all around last year. Unfortunately, he's probably more likely to end up in Texas or Detroit.

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Ed Altizer wrote...

Torii Hunter

November 13, 2012 9:01 am

Even though some of these posts are very negative, I do agree that while Hunter has been an outstanding player, we really don't need a 37 year old. There are others still on the market and others whose teams will consider trading that should offer better options. i.e. Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, Adam LaRoche, and there are others.

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Stevil wrote...

@ed

November 13, 2012 10:15 am

Who cares what is age is if he still produces and wont require a long-term deal? The last think we should do is trade for a DH when we already have one, or go after an expensive first baseman when we have two potential options, and a load of up-coming infielders we'll have to make room for. The glaring hole is in the outfield, hence the interest in a great FA outfielder.

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maqman wrote...

I'd sign him for one or two years.

November 13, 2012 9:55 am

He showed he still has something left in the tank this season. However there would seem to be little chance he will come to Seattle as he wants a World Series ring and he's running out of time. My bet is Detroit.

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NRFully83 wrote...

tick-toc-tick-tock

November 13, 2012 10:28 am

...Ugh... Waiting for the M's to make off-season moves is like waiting for the second coming of Christ..

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IKE wrote...

Maybe not a suckfest

November 13, 2012 11:22 am

If you believe that Ackley, Smoak, and Montero are better than they showed and Gutierrez can stay healthy then maybe just maybe the addition of Hunter or say Swisher might get them into the 85-89 win range. Or not!!

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IKE wrote...

HUNTER VERSUS HAMILTON

November 13, 2012 11:28 am

Hey. Take them both and really make me believe the Mariners care about winning.

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Don in Vancouver wrote...

Why not Swisher?

November 13, 2012 2:27 pm

Swisher can play 1st or Rt. I think the Mariners need someone that has a personality. We do not need another ex-Angle moping on the bench.

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zachsmith wrote...

Swish

November 14, 2012 8:21 am

I like Swish, managements gotta pony up though. He won't come cheap.

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Updated Nov 12, 2012 - 3:30 pm

Mariners have interest in Torii Hunter

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