The New York Yankees are interested in free agent outfielder
Torii Hunter, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
The Yankees have interest in Torii Hunter, a source said. Hunter is unlikely to get a qualifying offer, so he wouldn't cost a draft pick.
— Mark Feinsand (@BloggingBombers) November 1, 2012
The Los Angeles Angels, Hunter’s former team, are not
expected to make the veteran a qualifying offer, which means that if the
Yankees decide to sign him they won’t have to surrender a draft pick to do so.
New York has a pair of outfielders set to hit the open
market. While there is a chance the Yankees re-sign Ichiro Suzuki, it seems to
be all but clear they will not retain Nick Swisher.
This will leave a large hole in right field. Hunter could
fill the void over the short term, allowing New York time to come up with a
long-term answer for the position. He would of course be adding another veteran
to an already aging group of core players.
Though he turned 37 years old this year, Hunter continued
his productivity for the Angels. He hit .313/.365/.451 with 24 doubles and 16
home runs over 534 at-bats.
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