Outfielder Torii Hunter Signs 2 Year, $26M Contract With Detroit Tigers
DETROIT (971. The Ticket) - CBS Sports has confirmed on Wednesday that outfielder Torii Hunter has signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.
The deal, pending a physical exam, is the biggest in free agency so far this off-season.
Hunter -- a 37-year-old, nine-time Gold Glove winner -- has been contacted by about 13 or 14 teams, but has allegedly said Detroit topped his list, adding that the city's location will put him closer to his son, Torii Jr., who has committed to play football at Notre Dame.
Hunter, who played the last five years of his career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after playing the first nine years of his career with the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers will not lose a draft pick for signing Hunter, since he's an unrestricted free agent.
Hunter, who's expected to start in right field and bat second for Detroit, will join a lineup that includes Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder and catcher-DH Victor Martinez, who is returning to the game after sitting out the entire 2012 season with a knee injury.
In 584 plate appearances, Hunter hit .313/.365/.451 with 24 doubles, 16 homers and 92 RBI for the Angels last season.
The Tigers organization has not yet made an official announcement, since they have an organizational policy of not commenting on contracts before a physical has been passed.
