Angels give Hunter $90M deal

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Vladimir Guerrero finally will have some protection in the batting order.

The Los Angeles Angels, who have been trying to land another strong hitter for several years, agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal Wednesday with free agent Torii Hunter, who hit .297 with 28 homers and drove in 107 runs for Minnesota this year.

The deal is subject to Hunter's passing a physical.

A seven-time Gold Glove winner, the 32-year-old Hunter will be the everyday center fielder and hit in the middle of the lineup, making it tougher for opposing pitchers to pitch around Guerrero.

Although Hunter's arrival seems to make last season's center fielder, Gary Matthews Jr., odd man out in an outfield with Guerrero in right and Garrett Anderson in left, Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said it would give him more options.

"Torii is going to be in center field virtually every day. Gary will be in the outfield almost every day, so the other two guys will split up the DH," Scioscia said in a conference call.