D-backs agree to terms with Kubel

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with outfielder Jason Kubel on a two-year contract with a mutual option, according to D-backs' Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

"Jason is a proven, left-handed hitter and corner bat who makes our offense stronger and gives us depth in the outfield," said Towers. "His experience will be a welcome addition to our team and in our clubhouse."

Kubel, 29, had three straight seasons with at least 20 home runs from 2008-10 and ranked 19th in the AL with 69 home runs and a .479 slugging percentage during that span. He has collected at least 100 hits and 20 doubles in five straight seasons. Last season, he had a career-best .324 average with runners in scoring position and owns a career .276 average in that situation.

He had his best season in 2009 when he hit set career highs with a .300 average, 35 doubles, 28 home runs, 103 RBI, a .369 on-base percentage and a .539 slugging percentage in 146 games and defensively posted a 1.000 fielding percentage in 58 games in the outfield.

Kubel hit .273 (100-for-366) with 21 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs and 58 RBI in 99 games for the Minnesota Twins last season despite being on the disabled list from June 2 (retroactive to May 31)-July 22 with a sprained left mid-foot. His .324 average with runners in scoring position ranked 12th in the American League. Defensively, his 9 outfield assists tied for ninth-most in the AL, and he had a .992 fielding percentage with only 1 error in 120 total chances over 50 games in right field and 9 games in left field.

Last season, he led the AL with a .351 batting average through May 8 while his .402 on-base percentage ranked third and his .518 slugging percentage ranked 10th. At the time of his injury, his .310 batting average ranked sixth and his 62 hits tied for fourth-most in the AL.

Over parts of seven Major League seasons with the Twins, Kubel hit .271 (694-for-2559) with 142 doubles, 13 triples, 104 home runs and 429 RBI in 753 games along with a .335 on-base percentage and .459 slugging percentage. He appeared in 8 games over a trio of Postseason appearances with the Twins in the 2004, 2009 and 2010 American League Division Series.

Kubel was the Twins' 12th-round selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft.