Luvofthegame
09-02-2006, 08:50 PM
Center fielder wants extension but is not optimistic Twins will grant his request
BY GORDON WITTENMYER
Pioneer Press
NEW YORK — Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said Friday that he's not optimistic about the possibility of negotiating a contract extension with the Twins, in part because of one stipulation he would require.
"If we negotiate, I'm definitely going to get a no-trade clause, and I don't think they want that,'' Hunter said.
Hunter, 31, is signed through this season with a $12 million club option for next season remaining on the contract. The team and Hunter's representatives have not formally discussed an extension, but it's thought the team would require the five-time Gold Glove winner to scale back his salary in an extension, and he already has said publicly — repeating it again Friday — that he won't take a pay cut to stay.
Efforts to reach Twins general manager Terry Ryan on Friday by phone were unsuccessful. Ryan repeatedly has declined to comment on Hunter's status and the team's intentions toward the 2002 all-star.
Ryan traditionally does not give players no-trade clauses. An exception was made for Brad Radke when the pitcher signed a four-year, $36 million contract during the 2000 season. But that was also a negotiating process hijacked by short-time team CEO Chris Clouser.
Hunter spoke Friday as he prepared to play in a place he has openly coveted in recent seasons as a future home once he becomes a free agent: Yankee Stadium.
But that daydream has long passed, he said Friday, especially after the Yankees traded for outfielder Bobby Abreu earlier this season.
"You ain't got to worry about me coming to New York. My opportunity here is gone,'' he said. "They've still got Matsui, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon (next year). It won't happen. It can't happen. How can it happen?''
A step for Liriano: Twins rookie Francisco Liriano took Friday off from his daily throwing regimen as he prepares for the next major step on his track to return from the disabled list to the starting rotation: throwing off a mound with spikes and sliders.
That's the final hurdle he needs to clear before starting to stretch out his elbow injury in preparation for his first start since Aug. 7 in Detroit.
Liriano (12-3, 2.19 earned-run average) said he sneaked in a couple of sliders during his throwing session Thursday even though the "tennis shoe'' workout was supposed to include only fastballs and changeups.
"It feels very good,'' he said of the left arm he also has been strengthening through daily exercises supervised by trainers. "I just feel tired (from the workouts). My body just feels sore. It's a good sore.''
Help arrives: The Twins wasted no time getting newly acquired veteran hitter Phil Nevin in the lineup, batting him seventh as the designated hitter Friday in New York.
"We've been struggling enough in that DH spot, we'll put him in there and give him a chance,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said of Nevin, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for a player to be named. "I'm excited about it. We've got another bat in here — nothing wrong with that.''
Nevin, 35, can also play first base and third base for the Twins, and he emphasized Friday that he feels very comfortable at third, where the Twins could have a need depending on how much Nick Punto is needed to cover for injured middle infielders.
Nevin batted .245 with 21 home runs for Texas and Chicago before the trade.
Briefly: The Twins had interest in acquiring veteran pitcher David Wells from Boston before Thursday's deadline for setting playoff rosters but weren't willing to pay the asking price. "You always throw your hat in, just checking it out, but we also know we're not going to give up the farm to get a guy," Gardenhire said.
• Second baseman Luis Castillo (ankle) missed his second consecutive game, but Gardenhire said he might be able to return to the lineup today if the weather cooperates.
• Twins catcher Joe Mauer snapped a 0-for-16 skid, his longest of the season, with a single in the fourth inning.
BY GORDON WITTENMYER
Pioneer Press
NEW YORK — Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said Friday that he's not optimistic about the possibility of negotiating a contract extension with the Twins, in part because of one stipulation he would require.
"If we negotiate, I'm definitely going to get a no-trade clause, and I don't think they want that,'' Hunter said.
Hunter, 31, is signed through this season with a $12 million club option for next season remaining on the contract. The team and Hunter's representatives have not formally discussed an extension, but it's thought the team would require the five-time Gold Glove winner to scale back his salary in an extension, and he already has said publicly — repeating it again Friday — that he won't take a pay cut to stay.
Efforts to reach Twins general manager Terry Ryan on Friday by phone were unsuccessful. Ryan repeatedly has declined to comment on Hunter's status and the team's intentions toward the 2002 all-star.
Ryan traditionally does not give players no-trade clauses. An exception was made for Brad Radke when the pitcher signed a four-year, $36 million contract during the 2000 season. But that was also a negotiating process hijacked by short-time team CEO Chris Clouser.
Hunter spoke Friday as he prepared to play in a place he has openly coveted in recent seasons as a future home once he becomes a free agent: Yankee Stadium.
But that daydream has long passed, he said Friday, especially after the Yankees traded for outfielder Bobby Abreu earlier this season.
"You ain't got to worry about me coming to New York. My opportunity here is gone,'' he said. "They've still got Matsui, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon (next year). It won't happen. It can't happen. How can it happen?''
A step for Liriano: Twins rookie Francisco Liriano took Friday off from his daily throwing regimen as he prepares for the next major step on his track to return from the disabled list to the starting rotation: throwing off a mound with spikes and sliders.
That's the final hurdle he needs to clear before starting to stretch out his elbow injury in preparation for his first start since Aug. 7 in Detroit.
Liriano (12-3, 2.19 earned-run average) said he sneaked in a couple of sliders during his throwing session Thursday even though the "tennis shoe'' workout was supposed to include only fastballs and changeups.
"It feels very good,'' he said of the left arm he also has been strengthening through daily exercises supervised by trainers. "I just feel tired (from the workouts). My body just feels sore. It's a good sore.''
Help arrives: The Twins wasted no time getting newly acquired veteran hitter Phil Nevin in the lineup, batting him seventh as the designated hitter Friday in New York.
"We've been struggling enough in that DH spot, we'll put him in there and give him a chance,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said of Nevin, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for a player to be named. "I'm excited about it. We've got another bat in here — nothing wrong with that.''
Nevin, 35, can also play first base and third base for the Twins, and he emphasized Friday that he feels very comfortable at third, where the Twins could have a need depending on how much Nick Punto is needed to cover for injured middle infielders.
Nevin batted .245 with 21 home runs for Texas and Chicago before the trade.
Briefly: The Twins had interest in acquiring veteran pitcher David Wells from Boston before Thursday's deadline for setting playoff rosters but weren't willing to pay the asking price. "You always throw your hat in, just checking it out, but we also know we're not going to give up the farm to get a guy," Gardenhire said.
• Second baseman Luis Castillo (ankle) missed his second consecutive game, but Gardenhire said he might be able to return to the lineup today if the weather cooperates.
• Twins catcher Joe Mauer snapped a 0-for-16 skid, his longest of the season, with a single in the fourth inning.