Hunter: Nobody Wants to Play in Minnesota

My colleague PostmanE already touched upon Torii Hunter's parting shots at the Twins, but I wanted to focus on another choice quote. In addition to claiming that Minnesota just can't compete, he claims that players simply don't want to go there. From the Star-Tribune:

"People aren't even thinking about this," he said. "I wouldn't play in Minnesota unless my career was at an end and I had to go to Minnesota to play the game. ... People think that's not true -- that's 100 percent accurate. This is coming from a player, so I'm telling you."

It sounds pretty clear to me that he's talking about all players and not just himself. And you know what? He's right. Who was the last big name free agent the Twins managed to sign? Heck, who was semi-significant free agent? I'm sure there has to be a handful of guys, but in talking with fellow FanHouse cohort Larry Brown, the best we can come up with is Kenny Rogers in 2003, but I'm not sure the fact they gave a 38-year-old pitcher a one-year deal really destroys my theory.

Instead, they get talent through the minors or trades, and come free agency, they're stuck with everyone else's leftovers like Rondell White and Jeff Cirillo. I will admit, they do re-sign a few guys now and then, but they either can't convince free agents to sign or don't try. Considering Carl Pohlad is the wealthiest owner in all of the majors, either option is kind of sad. On a side note: don't go to Japan, yet, Mike Piazza! Give the Twins a call!