This week has generated some significant headlines from the former Minnesota Twins department. Mitch Garver officially stepped away from the game, and Kurt Suzuki won’t be brought back as manager of the Los Angeles Angels. Of course, that new managerial opening paves the way for a fresh hire.
We have already heard plenty about the Seattle Mariners’ interest in former Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. It’s logical that the Angels could show interest as well. Beyond Baldelli though, there’s former Minnesota star Torii Hunter, who, like Suzuki, happened to play for Los Angeles.
Hunter was someone the MN Twins could have turned to, but they instead hired Derek Shelton last offseason. He has been closely linked to the Angels since playing there, and now the new ownership group could come calling.
Torii Hunter in play for Los Angeles Angels job
Last October, Torii Hunter’s name came up as a potential managerial candidate for the Minnesota Twins. Declan Goff (SKOR North) reported that he turned down an opportunity to interview with the franchise, but Hunter later said he went after both the Twins and Angels jobs. He was a finalist in Los Angeles before the Angels moved on and gave Kurt Suzuki a one-year deal.
Former Twin Torii Hunter, 51, who also played five seasons for the LA Angels, is expected to receive serious interest in the Angels managing vacancy.
Charley Walters – Don’t Print That
Charley Walters (Don’t Print That) reports that Hunter should receive serious interest from the Angels once again. He has operated in a special assistant capacity with the organization, but his future role remains uncertain with John Mozeliak having taken over as interim general manager after Perry Minasian was fired in June.
There’s also the complicating factor that Stan Kroenke has agreed to buy the franchise from Arte Moreno, with the sale expected to become official in early 2027. With multiple moving pieces, it’s hard to predict how the team will operate going forward.
Hunter is a logical fit though. Over the course of his 19-year career, he played five seasons with Los Angeles after spending the first 11 with Minnesota. With the Angels he was a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner. Now 51 years old, Hunter would be looking at his first managerial job at any level.
Is LA a better job than the MN Twins?
Neither team hired Hunter last fall, and the landscapes are wildly different. The Angels went 62-100 during Suzuki’s only year at the helm, the first 100-loss season in franchise history. They also haven’t made the playoffs since 2014 and have consistently produced losing records.
Minnesota finished this season with a 77-85 record while fighting against a lackluster overall roster. The Angels have consistently spent more than the MN Twins, but tend to get less out of it.
Hunter may find allure in coaching future first-ballot Hall of Famer Mike Trout through the end of his contract (2030), but Trout isn’t the same difference maker at this point. Los Angeles needs a talent infusion both at the major league level and throughout the farm system.
For someone who would be managing for the first time in their career, it’s a tough ask to expect an immediate turnaround. Hunter did play the role of leader very well for the 2015 Twins, who were coming off four straight 90-loss seasons. Dance parties aren’t the only thing that will get the Angels back on track though.
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