The Twins return to Target Field on Friday for three games that could mark the end of Torii Hunter's career, or the end of his Twins career, or his last home games in Twinstripes, meaning it may be time to finally say goodbye for good.
Cutting Hunter loose a second time would seem to be the easiest decision the Twins will make this winter. They are overloaded with talented young outfielders. Hunter will be 41 next year. He wants to play a major role if he returns. He doesn't logically fit into the future of this organization unless you accept that often the Twins' easiest decisions are sometimes their most costly.
Cut an out-of-shape, injury-prone, slump-ridden designated hitter as he becomes expensive? Easy decision, until that player becomes the Boston version of David Ortiz.
Let an aging center fielder leave in free agency because you have other options at the position and few aging center fielders maintain their fielding or hitting prowess? Easy decision, until Hunter himself proves with the Angels and Tigers that he is an exception an exceptional presence on winning teams.
It would be easy for Hunter to walk away at the end of a brilliant career, and it would be easy for the Twins to let him walk, but there is a deal to be made here if both sides are flexible and trust one another.
There are two reasons the Twins are considering bringing Hunter back, and two reasons Hunter should consider re-signing.
Twins' reason No. 1: Aaron Hicks still has not produced a full season of big-league competence. Byron Buxton has to learn how to hit advanced pitching. Oswaldo Arcia is a mess. Max Kepler is a mystery. Adam Brett Walker's power is offset by his high strikeout rate.
This spring the Twins counted on Danny Santana and Kennys Vargas to produce as sophomores. Both failed. Hunter can provide power and insurance.