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Texas Rangers to entertain Hunter

Daniels, Washington will join owner for dinner with free agent

02:09 AM CST on Monday, November 19, 2007

By RICHARD DURRETT / The Dallas Morning News
rdurrett@dallasnews.com

Free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter is scheduled to have dinner at Rangers owner Tom Hicks' house tonight. General manager Jon Daniels, manager Ron Washington, starting pitcher Kevin Millwood and Hunter's agent Larry Reynolds are among those expected to join them. This is Hunter's second meeting with the Rangers, first with Hicks.

"This is more of a chance to get to know each other, and then if we move toward an offer, we'd do that quickly," Hicks said. "We want to talk about where the Rangers are headed and try to understand more about him as a player to see if we're a good match."

Daniels was pleased with the first meeting and said it's no secret the club is interested.

Hunter, 32, lives in Prosper. He batted .287 with 28 homers and 107 RBIs for the Twins in 2007, playing in 160 games, the most of his nine-year career.

"We're in listening mode," Reynolds said. "There's more to this than just dollars and cents. We'll see what happens."

Texas Rangers, Hunter sit down again

Daniels calls meeting with free-agent CF 'a good night'

03:41 AM CST on Tuesday, November 20, 2007

By RICHARD DURRETT / The Dallas Morning News
Rdurrett@dallasnews.com

Tom Hicks hosted free-agent centerfielder Torii Hunter for dinner Monday night. Hunter's agent, Larry Reynolds, joined Tom Hicks Jr., Alex Hicks, Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington at Hicks' home. It was Hunter's second meeting with the club.

Daniels said it was a "good night" as everyone talked baseball and "continued to get a feel for each other." He didn't say whether the team offered Hunter a contract.

"I expect both sides will take some time over the holiday and revisit things afterwards," Daniels said through e-mail. "In the meantime, Larry and Torii are going through their process, and we're continuing to look at all ways to improve the organization."
Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks will likely offer Torii Hunter a contract quickly if things go well.

Hicks did not comment on the meeting, but said Sunday that if things went well, the club would probably offer Hunter a contract quickly. Hunter, 32, lives in Prosper. He's coming off one of his best seasons with a .287 average, 28 homers and 107 RBIs for the Twins in 2007. He played in 160 games, the most of his career.

"We've indicated to people that we're hoping to make some movement sometime shortly after Thanksgiving because Torii wants to enjoy the holiday and think things through," Reynolds said.

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Free Agent Hunter Aims To Choose Team Soon
21st November, 2007 - 8:28 am
ESPN - One of the top free agents left on the market, Torii Hunter will take the weekend to mull the multiple contract offers he and his agent, Larry Reynolds, have fielded since the frenzy formally began last week.

Hunter said Tuesday that his goal is to make a decision next week on which team to play for, before baseball's winter meetings on Dec. 3.

Though Hunter declined to identify the finalists, the Chicago White Sox and White Sox Texas Rangers are in serious pursuit. Many more clubs have expressed interest. Hunter's priorities are legitimate World Series aspirations and a deal of at least five years.

I guess Rangers have lost him then.

catalyst wrote:Free Agent Hunter Aims To Choose Team Soon
21st November, 2007 - 8:28 am
ESPN - One of the top free agents left on the market, Torii Hunter will take the weekend to mull the multiple contract offers he and his agent, Larry Reynolds, have fielded since the frenzy formally began last week.

Hunter said Tuesday that his goal is to make a decision next week on which team to play for, before baseball's winter meetings on Dec. 3.

Though Hunter declined to identify the finalists, the Chicago White Sox and White Sox Texas Rangers are in serious pursuit. Many more clubs have expressed interest. Hunter's priorities are legitimate World Series aspirations and a deal of at least five years.

I guess Rangers have lost him then.

Rangers will have to overpay to get him that is the only way unless he is BS'ing and really wants to play close to home.

well thank god he didnt sign with us and the angels way overpay for a center fielder for the 2nd year in a row

I thought the rangers had a fair chance, but not at that price.

5 years and 90 million for a guy who had a .287 average with 28 homers and 107 RBIs? That also being his best season glad the Rangers said pass. Just as long as they don't sign Andrew Jones to a stupid contract than I don't have a problem with them saying good-bye to Hunter.

Anyone worried about Hunter now that he signed with the Angels? It's a bloated contract and one that he wanted all along. He's still going to cause the West problems.

So who plays center field for the Angels now?

I think Mathews goes to Left, and nearly every fly ball gets run down.

Unless Mathews goes to the "cross bar hilton" for his drug involvement. God help the Rangers if the Angels get Tejada from the O's to play short.

Norm was just saying that GMJ was not a corner outfielder. Cannot play that . Good to have a $28 mm CF position. I guess you need to make more than $10 MM per season to start in LALAAAA

Norms other thought was Tejada going to LAA. Makes lots of sense with Cabrera gone for Garland,a nd Balt about fed up with him, and his desire to stay at SS. HE still has lots of game left. LAA is going to win the West if they pull this off by 40 games.