LAKELAND, Fla. — Torii Hunter may have ended up with the Tigers instead of the Yankees this offseason, but he still is paying attention to what’s going on in Tampa.
He also is not buying the theory that the seemingly endless list of departures and injuries make the Yankees less of a threat.
“I saw [Mark] Teixeira and [Curtis] Granderson are hurt and [Alex Rodriguez] is out until July, at least,” Hunter said, mentioning just a few of the Yankees’ woes. “I don’t care what happens, the Yankees are always one of the teams to beat. I don’t fall for it when people say they’re in trouble.”
Hunter could have been Nick Swisher’s replacement in right field before he opted to take an extra year and sign with Detroit for two years and $26 million.
“I always wanted to play for [the Yankees], but it’s never worked out,” Hunter said before going hitless in two at bats in a 3-2 win over the Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. “I don’t look back and say, ‘I’m glad I didn’t sign with the Yankees because they’ve got everybody hurt.’ If I had signed there, we would have grinded it out just like I’m sure they will.”
Nevertheless, this is a new Yankees team, one in which money does, in fact, seem to be an object.
“In all my years playing against those guys, everyone has seen them have injuries, but they always get it done and get the pieces they need,” Hunter said. “I don’t expect this season to be any different.”