DETROIT — The biggest problem with Torii Hunter (Pine Bluff) coming to the Detroit Tigers is that Mike Trout isn’t coming with him.
Hunter’s .313 batting average and 92 RBI last season were the direct result of following the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year in the Los Angeles Angels’ batting order. Trout’s amazing season, in which he led the league in steals, runs scored and was second in OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) made Hunter a much more effective No. 2 hitter.
It’s deceiving to use Hunter’s 2012 season as a gauge to what he’ll bring to the Tigers upon agreeing to a two-year, $26-million contract Wednesday.
Hunter is a solid upgrade, a safe addition in that it only costs owner Mike Ilitch more money, as opposed to precious young prospects.
But Hunter isn’t the differencemaker that sets the Tigers apart from their pennant competition next season.
That guy’s still in Arizona — for the time being.
The Tigers opted against making the bolder, more decisive move of aggressively pursuing Arizona rightfielder Justin Upton. A 25-year-old impact player, he could’ve added explosiveness to the top third of the Tigers’ batting order. It’s an error that will haunt them should Texas, the apparent runner-up in the Hunter chase, pull the trigger on a deal for Upton.
If the Rangers get Upton, the Tigers must once again hope that playoff fate will smile upon them and eliminate Texas before the Tigers face them. They would have no chance in a best-of-seven series against a team like Texas that combines power with speed.
The Tigers needed more than simply an upgrade at the No. 2 spot in the lineup. They needed impact. Hunter doesn’t bring that. Not at age 37 — and certainly not at the price tag of $13 million for each of the next two years.
This was a New York Yankeeslike decision. Worry about today and to hell with tomorrow. Just throw money at the problem. It lacks foresight. The Tigers could’ve gotten a young star at an affordable price who still could be a very desirable trading chip in another two years if it didn’t work out.
Hunter’s a nice player at this juncture of his career. Many will point to his leadership qualities as another motivation for signing him, but far, far too much was made about the Tigers’ supposed lack of emotion in the clubhouse. It’s ridiculous believing that they lost the World Series to San Francisco because they weren’t firedup enough. They lost because their offense isn’t as diverse as it needs to be.
And Hunter doesn’t significantly add much in that regard.
He ranked as one of the league leaders in grounding into double plays in 2011 and 2010, averaging 22. It wasn’t until Trout’s speed arrived that the number shrunk to a more manageable 15 in 2012. The Tigers had three hitters who grounded into 20 or more double plays last season (Miguel Cabrera, Delmon Young and Jhonny Peralta).
Everyone thinks that Hunter’s the perfect fit for the Tigers, but it might not be for the reasons initially hoped.
Sports, Pages 20 on 11/15/2012