Tori Hunter First Move of (Hopefully) Big Offseason

Photo Credit: SI.com

It was a match made in heaven.  Torii wants a ring, Mr. I wants a ring.  Hunter admitted that Detroit was the team he wanted to play for above any other team, and he knew that before last season was even over.  Detroit needed a guy that could hit lefties, hit #2, and play great defense.

Hunter needed Detroit, and Detroit needed Hunter.

There isn't a negative thing to say about this deal.  Hunter, 37, is at the point in his career where all that's left to do is win a ring.  He's hungry, and this team needs hungry guys like Torii.  The two-year, $26 million ($13 mil per) is a very fair deal for a player like Hunter, and it doesn't hamper our finances. Having him for two years gives Nick Castellanos more time to develop as an outfielder, it's a perfect situation for everyone.

What's gerat about Hunter is that he's a clubhouse guy.  Everyone loves him.  He can be the leader and voice that this team was lacking.  Dotel said this team liked fire and hunger; Hunter will bring that.

I have nothing negative to say about the deal.  But since you all know I love to play devil's advocate, this is the closest I can come to a complaint.

I wanted bigger.

There are a plethora of talented outfielders on the market, and Hunter wasn't on the top of my lists of wants.  B.J. Upton is young, fast and on the market.  I am absolutely in love with Melky Cabrera.  Thought he would be available for cheap because of his positive steroid test and he was (signed two-year $16 mil with Toronto.)

The pipe dream was Josh Hamilton because I am absolutely in love with him.  But I didn't want him for what he was asking for, which was seven years and big money.  He's 31 and giving him big money for long-term would probably cost us Verlander or Miggy in the future, especially with Mr. I unfortunately near death.

But the guy that was number one on my list was Justin Upton.  25 years old and already locked into a multi-year deal, dealing for him would be nothing but upside.  I would have given up any set of prospects for him.  Two reasons why:
1) When you're a winning team, prospects are trade bait.  Losing teams collect prospects, teams trying to win now trade them.  I'm playing for now.
2) Upton is a young, five-tool player that fits exactly what we need from a new outfielder and then some.  He brings defense, speed, power, average, he brings it all.  And he's only 25.  It would have been a match made in heaven.

But it's hard to argue against Torii Hunter.  The move makes so much sense and the Tigers gave up nothing for him except money.  They get to keep those prospects, and bring in a hungry veteran who wants to be here and wants to win.

Hopefully this is only the start of a much bigger offseason.  Still need a closer (Soriano, Soria, Broxton available and on my list.)  More has to be coming, and hopefully we'll be back in the World Series, this time doing the sweeping.