Torii Hunter and Johan Santana

[HMFFL]

In the Torii Hunter sweepstakes, the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers are expected to present the Twins' Gold Glove outfielder with free-agent contract offers after the season. Offers are expected to be in the $75 million, five-year range. Hunter, 32, might stay in Minnesota for slightly less, but the length of the deal would have to be the same as others.

75 million over 5 years could very well be a bargin compared to AJ's asking price. AJ most likely has the fans but Tori could become just as popular if he were a Brave.

The Twins don't have to trade Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana this winter, but they are expected to shop the left-handed pitcher who can become a free agent after next season. There will be more of a market for Santana, 28, this winter than next July before the trade deadline. The New York Mets, run by Omar Minaya, remain the strong favorite to acquire him if he leaves.

Is it out of the question to think Atlanta could make a run at Johan Santana?


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[bravesatl]

yeah

[Lord Commander]

I strongly believe that Hunter will wind up in ATL. I also feel Minaya has it bad for Santana. I could see him paying Santana 90 over 3

[dbenton]

I'm not a huge fan of Hunter getting 75 over 5 years from the Braves. I think this contract year is a bit of an aburation. He is still a very good player, but for centerfield, I would rather go with Aaron Rowland.

For Santana, with the money freed up with Andruw Jones, I would like the Braves to make an aggressive run. The Braves have proven you win with dominant pitching before. I would offer something in the neighborhood of Barry Zito, but only for five years.