The Tigers made the biggest free agent splash so far of the offseason signing free agent outfielder Torii Hunter to a 2 year, $26 million contract today.  This signing is huge for the Tigers because Hunter can be the missing piece for this team that was exposed during the World Series.

Hunter should be the number two hitter all season behind A-Jax and before the big boys to bolster the offense, but he should also be a huge addition to the outfield on the defensive side.  He has won nine consecutive Gold Gloves for the outfield and his experience as a center fielder will be huge if he plays in the massive right field at Comerica Park.

This is a big deal for the Tigers because it shows that Mr. Illich wasn’t going to sit back after a World Series birth and hope that this team has what it takes to get back again next year.  It shows that he is willing to fix the holes in this team so we will remain one of the top teams in the AL, despite the Marlins’ best efforts.

A potential downside to this deal is the number 37, in the years that Torii Hunter has been alive and if he will be able to be the guy the Tigers hope he will be.  Hunter’s numbers haven’t slipped as he has gotten up in years, in fact he hit over .300 for the first time in his career last season.

So what do you think Tigers fans, is this a major signing by the team or the next Gary Sheffield experiment where they bring in an over-the-hill veteran to be the “missing piece?”  Let us know at @DSBloggers on Twitter or on Facebook or in the comments below to tell us what you, the fans, think