Hunter, Cuddyer, and Hawkins Rejoin Minnesota Twins as Special Assistants

The Minnesota Twins announced today that three familiar names for Twins fans are rejoining the team as special assistants, offering a blast from the past as they look to the future.

Former Twins players Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins, and Michael Cuddyer were all announced on Monday as new hires to the organization. All three of these players retired after the 2015 season, with Hunter ending his career in Minnesota, Hawkins in Toronto, and Cuddyer in from the NY Mets.

According to the team's announcement, all three will serve as resources for the front office, coaching staff, and players on the team. Head of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey called the hires a "step toward creating a mix of analytics and the human element in the office."

Cuddyer played 11 of his 15 years in the Majors with the Twins, earning two All-Star Team appearances. He will play a primary role with transition programs to help players learn about the mental side of playing at the top level of professional baseball

Hawkins played 9 of his 21 years in the league with the Twins, pitching in more than 1,000 career games. He will help with the pitching staff and amateur scouting, alon with other duties.

Hunter played 12 of his 19 years in the league with the Twins, including 5 All-Star team appearances and nine Gold Glove Awards. His emphasis with the team will be related to organizational and clubhouse culture, calling on his leadership skills in the clubhouse as a player. He will also assist with the amateur draft process and scouting, among other tasks.