MINNEAPOLIS -- Torii Hunter's career is coming full circle.
Hunter has agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract to play for Minnesota in 2015, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The 39-year-old Hunter began his career with the Twins and spent 11 seasons in Minnesota from 1997-2007.
Since leaving the Twins, Hunter played four years with the Los Angeles Angels and the last two seasons with the Detroit Tigers. Despite his advanced age, Hunter batted .286 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI last year with Detroit. Formerly a center fielder, Hunter has since been relegated to playing right field as well as designated hitter.
It remains to be seen how Hunter, a five-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner, will be used in his second stint with the Twins. It's possible that Hunter is being brought in just as much for his ability to mentor Minnesota's younger players as he is for his production on the field.
Hunter -- who will turn 40 in July -- was teammates in Minnesota with his new manager, Paul Molitor, during Molitor's final two seasons with the Twins in 1997 and 1998. The only player currently on the Twins roster remaining from Hunter's final season in Minnesota in 2007 is first baseman Joe Mauer.
In his 18-year career, Hunter has batted .279 with 1,310 RBI and 331 home runs. He is still chasing a World Series title, and coming to Minnesota doesn't seem to be the likeliest path toward a ring. But Hunter will have a chance to play for the franchise that gave him a chance as a first-round draft pick out of Pine Bluff, Ark., in 1993.
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