Whether Torii Hunter returns in 2016 or not, the Twins would benefit from having a veteran presence in their clubhouse again.
"It probably wouldn't hurt," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Tuesday in his year-end media session. "(Hunter) was a good influence on this entire organization."
And should Hunter opt to retire?
"Who would be the next person to step up and take on a bit of that role?" Ryan said. "You'd like to think it would be somebody in there presently. They've seen how it affects a club, on and off the field. It's nice to have that presence, yes.