NBCSports.com is reporting that Angels OF Torii Hunter does not like the idea that almost 150 MLB players will be wearing number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson on Sunday.

Hunter said:

“This is supposed to be an honor,” Minnesota Twins star outfielder Torii Hunter told USA Today, “and just a handful of guys wearing the number. Now you’ve got entire teams doing it. I think we’re killing the meaning.

Torii Hunter, at his press conference today, finally conceded, after a long heated relationship, that he loves the rally monkey. The Southern California Press Bulletin reports :

“Then I thought about 2002, and the rally monkey. This rally monkey has been a thorn in my side and in my nightmares, so I’m just happy to be a part of this organization and be a part of the monkey. I thought about kidnapping him plenty of times, but now the monkey’s going to be my friend. I’m really going to like this monkey. We’re going to be in the malls together, walking the beach, everything. So that’s my buddy and my new best friend — and (broadcaster) Rex Hudler.” 

Lisa Kennelly and Ed Price of the Star-Ledger reports that the Yankees would have interest in signing CF Aaron Rowand if the team finds a suitor for Melky Cabrera.

Rowand’s agent, Craig Landis, said only that the interest in Rowand — a strong defender who this year with Philadelphia hit .309 with 27 homers and 89 RBI — “is strong and has picked up” since center fielder Torii Hunter came off the market, signing with the Angels. Landis said “nothing is imminent” as far as Rowand’s signing.

Here is a recap of some Mets Hot Stove rumors from Jon Heyman’s latest article on SI.com:

ESPN reports that outfielder Torii Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a five-year contract thought to be worth at least $80 million.The agreement is subject to a physical.

Hunter reportedly left a six-year contract proposal on the table from the Texas Rangers.

Here’s a rundown of Hot Stove news this afternoon…

Ken Rosenthal shares some Hot Stove buzz today on Fox Sports.

Rosenthal believes the Dodgers would benefit most from the addition of Torii Hunter. There are many center fielders on the market including Aaron Rowand and Andruw Jones.

Rosenthal thinks Mariano Rivera is crazy if he doesn’t take the Yankees offer, but mentions that Rivera talked about possibly joining Joe Torre and the Dodgers to the Associated Press. The Dodgers would have a formidable bullpen with Jonathan Broxton, Takashi Saito and Rivera.

Rosenthal also writes that the Mets are divided on whether to make a strong push for free-agent right-hander Livan Hernandez. The Cardinals and Astros are also interested in Livan, who turns 33 in February (alledgedly).

Hernandez, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux are the only major-league pitchers to make 30 or more starts in each of the past 10 seasons.

The clock strikes the witching hour and the deadline for teams to have exclusive negotiating rights has passed. The big deal last night was Jorge Posada returning to the Yankees with a 4 year, $52.4 million deal. Lets look at some of the players who are expected to reach the open market today.

• The Mets are not expected to make offers to Paul Lo Duca and Luis Castillo until they have a chance to look at other options such as Yorvit Torrealba, Jason Kendall, Orlando Hudson and David Eckstein.
• The Palm Beach Post reports that the Marlins are looking to upgrade over Miguel Olivo, and may join the Mets in kicking the tires on Lo Duca and Torrealba as well.
• The Red Sox were unable to reach an agreement with Mike Lowell before the deadline. They reportedly offered a three year deal. What happens with Lowell now will have implications on where Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera will land. The Dodgers, Angels, Yankees and Phillies have all expressed interest in Lowell.
• The Twins do not seem optimistic they can resign Torii Hunter. The Twins will have some tough decisions to make if Hunter leaves, including if they can afford to trade Johan Santana on top of losing Hunter and not have Twins fans marching in the streets looking for new GM Bill Smith’s head. The White Sox, Rangers, Nationals, Royals, Braves and Dodgers are believed to be interested in Hunter’s services.
• The most prized member of a weak free agent market for pitchers, Carlos Silva, is unlikely to receive an offer from the Twins and will likely be pursued by the Mets, Phillies, Angels, Royals, Tigers and Mariners.
• A number of relievers will hit the open market, barring some midnight madness. Scott Linebrink, Jeremy Affeldt, Ron Mahay, Eric Gagne and Francisco Cordero among the most notable names on the list.
• The Yankees have reportedly offered Mariano Rivera a three year, $40 million deal. At this time it appears that Rivera will be hitting the open market and is likely to be one of the most sought after free agents available. The Phillies were once thought to be interested in Rivera but with the addition of Brad Lidge that seems to be dead issue.

Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that free agent OF Torii Hunter had an 8pm meeting scheduled with White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams. The meeting was setup to discuss future plans of the team, not to negotiate a contract as teams outside of the Twins can’t negotiate with Hunter until midnight.

Christensen also notes that the White Sox signed both OF Jermaine Dye and SP Mark Buehrle to contract extensions during the season to keep them off the free-agent market. However, Chicago may need to trade someone else in order to make room for Torii Hunter’s contract if they attempt to sign him. Christensen suggests that Jon Garland could be the player that is moved if the team intends to sign Hunter.

Garland, 28, is due $12 milllion in the 2008 season and is in the final year of a three-year, $29 million contract. He went 10-13 on the season, with a 4.23 ERA and played a very important role in the White Sox’s championship season in 2005. During the 2005 season, Garland went 18-10 with a 3.50 ERA and managed to come up big in the postseason, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in the postseason, including a complete game four hitter in the League Championship series against the Angels.

I don’t expect Garland to be back with the White Sox this upcoming season, nor does he. As tough as it is trying to work out deals with Kenny Williams, Garland would be a welcomed addition on this staff.