While in town to take on the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins’ center fielder Torii Hunter, a.k.a. Spider-Man, is putting on a clinic on how to leverage yourself as an impending free agent, prompting the Daily News’ Roger Rubin to ask the obvious question, “What if Spider-Man took New York?”

While Hunter was speaking in Flushing, he might as well have been on a direct line to the Bronx. Among the highlights:

“I love Yankee Stadium. The atmosphere and energy there is great. And the fans know the game. When they get on you it can be pretty personal, but it’s always about your baseball game.

“When someone screams, ‘You just can’t hit that slider,’ that’s someone who knows what they’re talking about. You don’t hear that kind of informed (chatter) in Minnesota.”

But don’t think that means Hunter has his heart set on playing in pinstripes. After all, the 31-year-old All-Star is also the best of pals with Red Sox monster slugger David Ortiz. Says Hunter:

“My best buddy and me, we’ve been talking a lot lately. He calls Red Sox-Yankees the Super Bowl of baseball and tells me I’m missing out. . . . I don’t know if you could call them recruiting calls (but) if I’m a free agent, he’ll want me there.”

With Johnny Damon’s rapid deterioration as a viable option in center, it appears the Idiot’s future lies at DH, first base, or the corner outfield spots. Center field belongs to Melky Cabrera for the time being…until GM Brian Cashman can find a big money alternative. Hunter is joined by the Braves’ Andruw Jones and Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki as high profile center fielders in the final year of their contracts.

Center field has been a weak spot for Boston as well, as Coco Crisp has proven a wizard with the glove, but anemic at the plate. There is speculation that the Sox could take a long look at top prospect Jacoby Ellsbury in center field as early as September. Hunter, meanwhile, is on his way to another All-Star appearance, batting .300 with 14 homers and 54 RBIs.