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01/17/2003 Archived Entry: "Today's MLB News: Twins Sign Hunter"
Today's MLB News by Eric Gartman
Twins Sign Hunter-The Minnesota Twins re-signed All-Star outfielder Torii Hunter to a new four-year contract Friday with a club option for the 2007 season. According to Hunter's agent, Larry Reynolds, the deal is worth $32 million.
Finally, we have the first concrete indication that the new labor deal signed last year is finally having the effect it was designed to have. Namely, that small-market teams will now be able to retain their talent instead of having to trade them away, or let them go via free agency. The deal, by increasing revenue-sharing on local revenues from 20 percent to 34 percent, gave more money to poorer teams, but did not stipulate any minimum payroll. The Twins, baseball's poorest team after the Expos, have shown the first major sign that they are willing and able to pay enough money to keep their players. Hunter is the centerpiece of a young core of players that led the Twins to the American League Championship Series last year. In the next few years, more such players will be eligible for free agency. It remains to be seen whether or not the Twins can keep them. But they have at last taken a first step towards that goal. It also remains to be seen if other small-market teams are willing to pay to keep their players.
Replies: 1 Comment
I agree but the Royals will trade Carlos Beltran before oppening day because they can't afford him plus they are scared of Scott Boras. Your insight is closer to reality as with the Royals it's more about they won't vs they can't.
Posted by Bart Ewing @ 01/17/2003 08:32 PM EST
