What’s up! Got back from Chicago on Sunday after spending the holiday with my family. Felt terrible for Joe C. on Thursday when the Torii Hunter news went down. Heard he threw a few objects and choice comments around the house. I wanted to do the same but I try not to swear in front of my sister.

Hunter, by the way, got a $2.5 million signing bonus as part of the deal. Based on my math, Hunter will earn $135 million in salary for his career by the time his deal with the Angels expires. Not bad for a kid from Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

So now we’re in the trade rumor meat grinder for a couple weeks as all sorts of Johan Santana trade rumors will fly around. We’ll do our best to keep you informed during what will be a critical period for the franchise.

One aspect that can’t be overlooked: There’s a chance that the Twins could be asked to buy out Santana’s no-trade clause. The only reason I point this out is because the Phillies gave Bob Abreu about $1.5 million to waive his no-trade so he could be dealt to the Yankees, and Peter Greenberg represents both players. 

Can’t remember if we’ve reported it, but the Twins have signed a few minor league free agents: Catcher Eli Whiteside, first baseman/outfielder Randy Ruiz, veteran Howie Clark and first baseman/outfielder Jon Knott.

Heard that former Twin Michael Restovich has signed a minor league deal with the Phillies. 

One final Torii story, then I’ll leave you alone,

I needed a glove to during spring training to play in a media softball game. Asked a clubhouse attendant if there was an old beat up glove I could borrow. “Let’s see what Torii has,” the attendant said. I really wasn’t looking to borrow one from a player.

Anyway, we went to Hunter, who had only one glove. “Use this,” he said. I looked at the glove. It was his Rawlings Golf Glove model, complete with, `T-Nutts,’ sewn on the outside. “I’m not taking your gamer!” I said. “Just take it…but you better not make any errors.”

I played in the game and gave him his glove back. “Hey, you make any errors?” he said. “Nope,” I said.

That was a lie, Torii. I committed five errors in the game. I didn’t want to tell you and make you think I jinxed your glove. Now that you know, you may want to order a new one with your new team. 

Â

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 at 10:49 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.