On the eve of Thanksgiving, Torii Hunter had many reasons to be thankful. About 90 million to be exact.
The seven-time Gold Glove outfielder left the Minnesota Twins signing a five-year, $90-million free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
While many Twins fans saw this move coming, Hunter's departure still stings.
For more than a decade, baseball fans have bought into the rhetoric the Twins organization has been selling.
"We're a small-market team."
"We draft and develop our own players."
"We won't spend big money on free agents."
That philosophy helped the Twins win four division titles in five seasons, but at what cost?
The reality is the Twins have transformed from the thrifty franchise everyone emulates to being down right cheap.
Minnesota paid Hunter $10.75 million two years ago and appeared to have doubts about picking up his option for last year. Despite the financial burden of a $12 million contract, the Twins brought Hunter back and he rewarded them with his best season as a pro.
Hunter hit .287, with 28 home runs and 107 RBI, further solidifying his status as one of the best center fielders in the game.
The Twins probably could have resigned Hunter when they picked up his option, full knowing his value would only grow when he hit the free agent market.
Instead, they opted to wait.
And when Hunter turned down a three-year, $45-million offer during the season, the Twins refused to budge from their initial offer.
While it does make some sense to avoid paying a 38-year-old outfielder at least $18 million in the final year of his contract (Hunter turns 33 in July), that shouldn't be the only reason why he'd not in a Twins uniform.
Bidding for Hunter's services clearly drove up his price, but it's not as if he was the only top-notch center fielder available either.
Free agents Andruw Jones, Aaron Rowand, and Mike Cameron could all land deals averaging 8 to 16 million per season. Only Jones, who has a tremendous combination of power and defense, comes close to Hunter in terms of production.
Ichiro (5 years, $90M) in Seattle, Vernon Wells (7 years, $126M) in Toronto, Carlos Beltran (7 years, $119M) in New York, Johnny Damon (4 years, $52M) in New York, Gary Matthews Jr. (5 years, $50M) in Anaheim and Jim Edmonds (2 years, $19M) in St. Louis are all comparable to Hunter in terms of pay and performance.
Only Ichiro has been as consistent, healthy and productive as Hunter, but he's 34 years old and his speed game is bound to slow down a step or two in his twilight.
Even Twins optimists could buy the theory that the team allowed Hunter to go in order re-sign Johan Santana, but that's not happening either.
Santana is set to become the richest pitcher in the history of baseball when he hits the free agent market next year if he isn't dealt for prospects first.
So who's taking home Carl Pohlad's cold cash?
Joe Mauer upped for four years and 32 million. Joe Nathan got his $6 million option picked up.
2006 MVP Justin Morneau is due for a big raise and so is Michael Cuddyer, but who else on this roster has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that they deserve half the scratch Hunter just hauled in?
Jason Kubel?
Pat Neshek?
Scott Baker?
Matt Guerrier?
Jason Bartlett?
Pleading poverty while you watch a publicly-funded stadium being erected in Minneapolis and rake in luxury tax money from the big spenders, isn't good for your PR Mr. Pohlad.
To make matters worse, Minnesota has another glaring need on its offseason wish list (centerfield, third base, DH).
Sure, the Twins get Anaheim's first-round draft pick and a compensation pick for losing Hunter, but those players may take four or five years to stick in the bigs.
Or about when Hunter will hit the free agent market again.