Reggie Yinger
Hot Stove: Jason Kubel Signs With the Diamondbacks
Monday December 19th, 2011
Jason Kubel heads to the desert to help the D-backs. (Icon SMI)
Kubel, 29, hit .273/.332/.434 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI in 99 games last season. Much like Michael Cuddyer, Kubel was drafted by the Twins and has spent his entire career in Minnesota before signing as a free-agent this off-season.
In seven seasons with the Twins, he hit .271/.335/.459 with 104 home runs, 429 RBI and a .794 OPS. He hit the 20 home run plateau in three straight seasons from 2008-2010 while appearing in at least 140 games during the same time frame. Last season, Kubel missed significant time with an injury to his left foot.
Jason Kubel will join Justin Upton
and Chris Young
in the Arizona outfield. The move likely pushes defensive wizard Gerardo Parra
to the bench. Parra, 24, hit a career high .292/.357/.427 last season with 15 stolen bases, but won a Gold Glove Award for his defensive performance in left field. Arizona general manager Kevin Towers and the D-backs are hoping that Kubel's offense will make up for the lost defense in left field next season.
by Anonymous on Monday December 19th @ 8:56AM
Parra with a higher OPS than Kubel last year. Parra > Kubel. Bad move unless there is another trade in the works.
by Reggie Yinger on Monday December 19th @ 9:01AM
Agreed. Hopefully Parra gets moved.
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