Hunter signs with Angels; White Sox sign Linebrink

Late last night, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim surprisingly signed Torii Hunter to a five-year, $90 million deal. Gary Matthews Jr. will be in the second year of his five-year, $50 million contract, so this move is rather strange.

There are reports out there that reliever Scott Linebrink has agreed to a four-year, $19 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees were rumored to be interested in Linebrink's services. I'm rather happy the Yankees didn't sign him, especially for that contract. He has never pitched in the American League and has been on the decline the last couple of years.

Cross Ichiro off the list

I guess the Yankees won't be inquiring about Ichiro's (pictured) services this offseason. He is about to sign an extension to stay with the Mariners.

The club is on the verge of locking up Ichiro, its All-Star outfielder whose contract was set to expire after the season, to a five-year contract extension, The Seattle Times has learned. Indications are the deal will approach $100 million and could be announced Friday.

An agreement is said to be imminent. Though it is not yet signed, all sides appear to be in agreement in principle on the parameters of the deal, which would run through the 2012 season (source).

Oh well. There's always Torii Hunter.

Seattle Times Photo

Hunter likes New York

Free agent-to-be Torii Hunter was quoted in the Daily News saying he likes New York.

"I love Yankee Stadium," Hunter said. "The atmosphere and energy there is great. And the fans know the game. When they get on you it can be pretty personal, but it's always about your baseball game.

"When someone screams, 'You just can't hit that slider,' that's someone who knows what they're talking about. You don't hear that kind of informed (chatter) in Minnesota."

Hunter has been in the Twins organization since he was drafted by Minnesota in 1993. The Twins picked up his $12 million option for this season, but negotiations on a contract extension ended in spring training.

"I want to be with the Twins and that's been my main goal, but I'm human and the silence makes you wonder," Hunter said. . . . I think I'm a decent player. I can't believe there hasn't even been a conversation about it. That's tough to swallow" (source).

Obviously, Hunter is no Orlando Cabrera.

I wouldn't be opposed to signing Hunter. However, as bad as Johnny Damon is in center field, the position is not a priority to me this offseason.

The Yankees are facing the grim possibility of not having Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and (gasp!) Mariano Rivera. Because all three will command a lot of money ("a lot" is a huge understatement), there may not be enough money to throw around at center fielders as there normally might have been.

Also, I like Melky Cabrera. While I think he's overrated by many Yankee fans, he can be a solid center fielder with regular playing time. If Bobby Abreu keeps playing well, the Yankees may either pick up his $16 million option or sign him to a smaller deal. They would probably have to trade Cabrera at that point.

If they choose to let Abreu leave, they could move Cabrera to right field and maybe sign Hunter for center. That would then make Johnny Damon a first baseman.

That being said, hammering out deals for Posada and Rivera, and preparing for the looming opting-out situation with Rodriguez should remain Brian Cashman's top priority.

I also prefer other free agent Ichiro Suzuki to Hunter.