2015 Twins: 6 Keys To Relevance

May 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) makes a running catch in the outfield against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Torii Hunter Must Be A Net Gain

To call him a train wreck on defense is not even close to fair, but this isn’t the Torii Hunter Twins fans are used to.

First and foremost, Torii was brought in as a leader in the clubhouse. He is someone who should be able to change the emotion surrounding the team, and he should provide valuable insight to the younger players. There’s very little doubt he will still hit for the Twins, and his bat is an addition to the lineup. He possesses plenty of power, and should be a solid middle of the order bat. Somewhere behind the nostalgia brought to fans is the defensive reasoning in bring Torii back.

He doesn’t track fly balls as he used to, and his range is considerably dimished. Having moved Oswaldo Arcia over to left field to slot Torii into right, the Twins need to get quality out of him. Torii will need to memorize the dimension, the overhang, and the wall to the point it’s second nature. What he doesn’t offer in defense, he will need to make up in intellect.

Arcia struggled in right field last season due to the distractions of a tough Target Field, Torii is going to need to rise above that.