34. "I might rather have Jim Thome" In response to In response to 33
I love Torii, but between playing the same position(s) as about five guys already in a positional log-jam, being expensive, apparently being uninterested in a part-time role (unlike actual HOF-er Jim Thome), and wanting to wait until after his sons' college football seasons to make a decision on playing at all in 2016, it's hard to see a match here.
I hope he retires as a Twin, but if he wants to play in 2016 then I rather it be elsewhere.
But if Jim Thome said he wanted to come off the bench for 200 well-chosen plate appearances against RHP, that'd be worth a roster spot.
This wasn't really your point, granted. But Torii's ambiguity is forcing me into some annoyed eye rolls. I don't really buy the "clubhouse mentor" thing, but he hit pretty well outside of nearly collapsing for about a month and a half, and then rallied to finish the season strong. And he was better in the field than I expected. I'm not really a narrative guy, but I could get behind one where we tell ourselves "remember when Torii Hunter came back for one last season to teach our youngsters how to be awesome and the team almost made the playoffs?"
If he'd just retire, we could get on with that bit of slightly inaccurate mythology and enjoy the next great wave of Twins talent.
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