The Minnesota Twins have signed OF Torii Hunter to a one-year, $10.5 million deal. Hunter debuted with the Twins in 1997, and played in Minnesota until 2007 when he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels. This was likely be the final season of what will be his 19-year career.
Hunter is still producing well, though not quite as good as when he was in his prime. From 2001 to 2011, he hit at least 21 home runs each season, aside from 2005. In the past three years, however, that number has lowered to 16/17 home runs per season.
Last season, Hunter batted .286/.319/.446 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI in 142 games. His OPS of .765 has not been lower since 2003, when he posted an OPS of .762. In 2013 and 2014 his WAR was, respectively, 1.7 and 0.4. The last time his WAR dropped under 3.0 was in 2000, when he posted a 0.2.
Despite his decreasing performance, Hunter will be a great addition to Minnesota, not only to the lineup but to the fans and his teammates. He will likely be the Twins' Opening Day right fielder.