Kubel's extended slump stumps Towers

By Steve Gilbert

August 30, 2013

PHOENIX -- D-backs general manager Kevin Towers is still not sure what happened to cause former outfielder Jason Kubel to suffer such a dramatic performance drop in the second half of last season and into this year.

Kubel hit .293 in the first half last year and dipped to .201 in the second.

This season, Kubel posted a slash line of .220/.288/.324 as he battled a variety of leg ailments.

"It's still baffling what happened to him," Towers said. "He had such an incredible three-quarters of a season last year and then really wasn't the same player."

Kubel was dealt Friday to the Indians along with cash considerations in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. The player the D-backs will likely receive in the deal is "a guy that more than likely will come up here in September," Towers said.

The D-backs saved about $200,000 in the deal.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Inside the D-backs, and follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB.