The Toronto Blue Jays are pursuing free-agent outfielder Torii Hunter, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Blue Jays reportedly interested in Torii Hunter
Hunter has been slightly more productive at the plate than soon-to-be-former Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera over the past two seasons.
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Hunter was a target of Toronto's two years ago before he signed with the Detroit Tigers, per Rosenthal. The 39-year-old veteran performed well in Detroit, hitting .295/.327/.456 in 1,238 plate appearances spanning two seasons. His OPS+ of 113 during that time was slightly better than that of fellow free agent Melky Cabrera, who the Jays will likely not be able to retain after his strong bounce-back season at the plate.
Defensively, Hunter has fallen off considerably, going from 15 runs above average in the outfield in 2012 to 18 runs below average in 2014. The Jays could rotate Hunter and Edwin Encarnacion at designated hitter. Adam Lind, the recipient of most of the team's plate appearances at DH last season, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month.
Hunter owns a .279/.334/.465 line in 18 big league seasons, hauling in nine Gold Gloves and five All-Star Game selections with the Tigers, Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels.
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