The Detroit Tigers formally announced the return of designated hitter Victor Martinez on Friday, but general manager Dave Dombrowski also said outfielder Torii Hunter, a key member of two division winners in Detroit, won't be back in 2015.
Torii Hunter won’t return to Tigers in 2015
After two years roaming right field with the Tigers, Torii Hunter won’t return to Detroit in 2015. General manager Dave Dombrowski told reporters on Friday the team didn’t have room in the budget for Hunter, who is a free agent.
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“I called him today and let him know,” Dombrowski told reporters, per Ashley Dunak of CBS Detroit. “I saw his representative Larry Reynolds out there in Arizona, it just so happened, and we’ve been in touch, talked to Torii, talked to Larry. In Larry’s case explained to him that at the time we had conversations going on with Victor, and if we signed Victor it would most likely preclude us from going strongly after Torii, and he understood.”
Hunter, 39, hit .286/.319/.446 with 17 home runs and 33 doubles in 142 games for the Tigers in 2014, the final season of a two-year, $26 million free agent contract he signed with Detroit.
The Tigers on Friday finalized a four-year, $68 million contract for Martinez. On Wednesday the team traded for Anthony Gose who is expected to play center field with Detroit, which also has outfielders J.D. Martinez and Rajai Davis returning in 2015.
Hunter on Friday night took to social media to thank Tigers fans for their support.
“I had a great 2yrs with the Tigers organization. Thank you fans for accepting and supporting me on the field and in your community. You fans were awesome and I’m gonna miss you guys,” Hunter wrote on Instagram. “I’m glad Christ lead me to Detroit. Now, let’s see where He leads my career from here. Be blessed Detroit!!!”
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