Torii a Twin again

Torii Hunter, a five-time All-Star outfielder who turns 40 in July, is returning to the Minnesota Twins, a source familiar with the agreement said. Hunter (Pine Bluff) was with the Twins from 1997-2007 before signing multiyear deals with the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers.

MINNEAPOLIS — Torii Hunter is coming back to the place it all began.

Hunter (Pine Bluff) agreed Tuesday night to a $10.5 million, one-year contract to return to the Minnesota Twins, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been announced.

A five-time All-Star outfielder who turns 40 in July, Hunter became a star with the Twins from 1997-2007 before signing a $90 million, five-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He then signed a $26 million, two-year deal with Detroit.

Hunter’s salary matches the average of former Twin Michael Cuddyer in his $21 million, twoyear deal with the New York Mets.

In his second tour with the Twins, Hunter will be heavily

Hunter relied upon to be the kind of hard-driving veteran a young clubhouse needs to set an example. The Twins have lost at least 92 games in each of the last four seasons, and the lack of leadership was a big concern for the front office.

During his first run with the Twins, Hunter was a vocal pillar in the clubhouse, and the team adopted his fiery mentality. He challenged teammates when he thought they were not competing, served as a team spokesman when results were poor and, most importantly, won seven of his nine Gold Gloves while providing consistent production in the middle of the Twins order.

His agreement was first reported by USA Today.

“It will be a honor to play alongside my hero growing up,” Twins outfielder Aaron Hicks tweeted.