It's not like having Torii Hunter on your baseball team is the worst thing ever. But when beat writers start talking about how much of a player's value is tied up in "leadership" and "intangibles", especially considering how little value the player brings to the diamond...well, you better start hoping the people who make these decisions are counting the pennies.

Torii Hunter in the Ballpark would likely be an under-average player with no value beyond DH. Every minute he spends with a glove on he is a liability. That means that Torii Hunter's financial value to the Rangers is tied up entirely in "leadership". In fact, right now Torii Hunter's financial value to ANY team is largely tied up in his "leadership". The Minnesota Twins think that's worth $10.5 million a year.

I am thrilled that the Texas Rangers don't.

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