Blue Jays interested in Torii Hunter

The Toronto Blue Jays have perhaps been the busiest team thus far this offseason, and they are now connected to yet another free agent, as FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Toronto is pursuing outfielder Torii Hunter. Hunter appears to be an alternative plan in case Melky Cabrera were to sign elsewhere this winter, and that seems likely, as Rosenthal deems the Blue Jays as "not especially confidant" in keeping Cabrera.

The 39-year-old Hunter is coming off a two-year, $26 million deal he signed with the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2013 season, after having spent the previous five seasons with the Angels. Hunter played well in his two seasons in Detroit, though he was a clear negative defensively. He hit a combined .295/.327/.456 with a 113 OPS+ and 2.1 WAR in 286 games, continuing his durable tendencies (Hunter has played at least 140 games in eight of the past nine seasons).

Hunter seems to have accrued a sizable market so far. As Chris Cotillo wrote on Tuesday, the Tigers are no longer in the race for Hunter, but the Twins, Hunter's former club, and Royals have emerged as the two most aggressive suitors for the five-time All-Star. The Cubs, Rangers, Giants, and Mariners have also expressed interest in signing Hunter.