Torii Hunter

Hunter continued to defy Father Time in 2013, putting together an All-Star campaign in his first season with the Tigers. The veteran outfielder slashed .304/.334/.465 in 606 at-bats while hitting primarily in the second spot of the Tigers’ lineup. He totaled a career-high 184 hits thanks in large part to another year with a high BABIP (.351). His walk rate continued a downward trend dipping to four percent, but Hunter offset his drop in free passes by improving his contact rate to 81 percent. While he was certainly more aggressive at the plate than in past years, Hunter still managed to keep his swinging-strike percentage (11.2%) at his career norm, which indicates his drop in plate discipline is more of a philosophical change in his approach than a decline in ability. Despite a dip in his HR/FB rate (11.2%), Hunter was able to connect on 17 home runs, one more than his final season with the Angels. Hunter also took kindly to Comerica Park’s cavernous gaps, hitting 37 doubles and five triples. Heading into his age-38 season, there’s a chance Hunter finally shows his age and slows down some, but even with a slight step back, hitting ahead of Miguel Cabrera in a potent Tigers lineup should lead to another productive season from the right fielder.

Hunter had a nice bounceback year last season, slashing .313/.365/.817 in 584 plate appearances despite an increased strikeout rate and decreased home-run and walk rates. The big season was mostly the product of an unsustainable .389 BABIP, and while his highest GB/FB ratio since 1999 probably had something to do with that, it's safe to say that luck played a big role. Hunter should be able to maintain a decent batting average, but it would be a major surprise if he tops .300 again, so he'll need to push those home run and walk rates back up to levels approaching his career averages if he's going to live up to the two-year, $26 million contract the Tigers gave him. Given that Hunter is 37 years old and no longer an elite athlete, that will be hard to do, although it would certainly help his chances if the Tigers bat him second in the lineup, right in front of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder.

Hunter matched his 2010 total by hitting 23 home runs last season, but his .262 batting average was his lowest since 2005. Hunter still managed 82 RBI and 80 runs scored, but he also stole just five bases all season. While Hunter started 156 games last season, he may get a few more games off in 2012 to stay fresh. Hunter doesn't run much anymore, but he could hold arguably one of the most favorable spots in the league, either directly in front of or behind Albert Pujols.

Despite playing 33 fewer games in 2009, Hunter's numbers in 2010 were nearly identical to those from the year before. However, Hunter would have had a career year in 2009 if not for injuries, and his statistics from last season were actually pretty similar to his career averages. Due to age, Hunter will not run as much and will no longer man center field, but his offensive skills don't appear to have diminished much. Expect another steady campaign.

Hunter has aged very well, making a contract that looked inflated seem like a bargain, primarily because he's become a better power hitter in his 30s without sacrificing anything else. He's even a better percentage basestealer than he used to be. As with teammate Bobby Abreu, Hunter does so many things well that a sudden collapse isn't likely, making him a strong fantasy play even at age 34.

Hunter hit .278 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI in his first season with the Angels. He was expected to improve his power after getting out of the Metrodome (the toughest power ballpark for right-handed hitters in the AL in 2007), but instead the opposite happened - his slugging percentage dropped nearly 40 points. While we don't think his five-year deal will be as disastrous as Gary Matthews Jr.'s contract, there's some fear that Hunter might not remain an effective hitter for the length of the contract.

Hunter left Minnesota and signed a five-year, $90 million contract to patrol center field with the Angels next season. Hunter avoided the foot and ankle issues that troubled him the previous two years and played a career-high 160 games, hitting 28 home runs with a career-high 107 RBI while winning his seventh consecutive Gold Glove. While he may not live up to his contract when he slows down in a few years, there's no reason to think he won't put up a similar season in 2008. Moving to the Angels is also good news for his fantasy value, as his stolen bases provide meaningful value and the Angels like to run. Expect another season of 25-plus home runs, but he's always a slight batting average risk since he's a free swinger.

Hunter hit over 30 home runs for the first time in his career and won his sixth consecutive Gold Glove despite being slowed by ankle and foot injuries. The broken left ankle that cost him the final two months of the 2005 season caused Hunter to run flat-footed and led to a stress fracture in his left foot that limited him on the base paths. If his foot and ankle are back to full strength, he should return to stealing 20 or more bases. Hunter does pose a risk to your batting average since he swings at too many pitches, but expect another season of around 25 HR and continued Gold Glove defense in center field. Take note he's also in the last year of his contract.

Hunter's season ended in late July due to a broken ankle while attempting to catch a ball in Fenway Park. Before the injury, he displayed his usual power as he was on pace for 26 home runs and 104 RBI. He helped fantasy players by improving his prowess on the basepaths. After stealing just six bases while getting caught seven times in 2003, Hunter learned a delayed-steal type of tactic and was running wild before the injury with a pace for a 38-steal season. How Hunter's ankle injury will impact his speed on the basepaths (and if opposing pitchers figure out his method), will go a long way to determining his fantasy value for 2006. Otherwise, expect another season of around 25 HRs and continued Gold Glove defense in centerfield, but with the risk of a low batting average.

Hunter's statistics have become very consistent at this point in his career as he's a good bet to hit 25 or more home runs but poses a risk to your batting average since he swings at too many pitches. Hunter's numbers were down somewhat last season due to missing 16 games with a strained right hamstring. However, one good sign was his success at stealing bases. After going just 6 of 13 in stolen base attempts (including an 0-for-7 start) in 2003, Hunter stole 16 bases in 19 attempts in the second half of the season after the hamstring problems were behind him. Another season of 25+ HRs and 15+ SBs and continued Gold Glove defense in centerfield is a good bet.

Hunter continued to flash amazing range in center field and solid power at the plate, but his poor plate discipline caused a decline in his batting average. He's a good bet for another 25+ home runs, but don't expect a return to a .280 batting average. One worry is that Hunter struggled on the basepaths last season, going 0-for-7 to start the year in stolen base attempts. As a result, he wasn't given the green light as frequently and that could spill over into next season.

Hunter became a household name in 2002 with highlight-reel defensive plays and a strong first half. The Twins starting centerfielder and should produce 20-plus HRs and 90-pus RBI again. A low walk rate remains a concern as his batting average is a candidate to decline. Also faded in the second half of last season (just 9 HR) after a strong first half.