Red Sox interested in Torii Hunter?
The Red Sox have shown interest in free agent outfielder Torii Hunter, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford. The 37-year-old has expressed interest in playing with David Ortiz in the past, and Big Papi confirmed that the two have discussed the possibility of playing in Boston together more recently.
“I talked to [Hunter] the other day because he heard Texas was going to try and sign me, because his mind might have changed,” Ortiz said. “He said, ‘If I was going to think about Boston it is because you are there.’ I told him not to worry.”
A career .271 hitter, Hunter played with Ortiz in Minnesota before joining up with the Los Angeles Angels in 2008. The Angels declined to make the $13.3 million qualifying offer that would have guaranteed them draft pick compensation if Hunter departs, and it looks unlikely that he’ll re-sign in Los Angeles.
Hunter, with nine career Gold Gloves, would make a formidable pairing with Jacoby Ellsbury and his range in center field. He would also add a right-handed bat with 25-home-run potential to the middle of an order that will need a booster shot going into next year.
The potential signing of Hunter adds another variable to a Sox free agent equation that includes the potential loss of gamer Cody Ross.
