Jason Kubel Signs with Arizona Diamondbacks: Is This the Tipping Point?

While the Minnesota Twins offseason woes continue, Christmas has come early for the boys in the desert.  In an article posted by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, it appears that the Arizona Diamondbacks have indeed signed free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel to a two-year $15 million contract.

This signing comes just days after the Colorado Rockies stole the Twins' other stud free agent, Michael Cuddyer, leaving the team with two large holes in their lineup.

The Diamondbacks have managed to upgrade their team significantly by adding Kubel, trading for Trevor Cahill and signing free-agent pitcher Takashi Saito.  The addition of the 29-year-old Kubel allows the team to move 24-year-old Gerardo Parra to the bench and act as the teams fourth outfielder.

Kubel is a career .271 hitter with a career .794 on-base-plus-slugging and can hit for power, with the ability to hit 20 or more home runs per season while driving in 85 or more runs.

Diamondbacks fans should be very excited for this signing, one that I think to be a steal.  Two years of Jason Kubel for only $15 million is quite the bargain.  I feel that this addition may be the piece the Snakes needed to put them over the edge and makes the middle of their lineup a formidable one to face.

The heart of the lineup will now consist of Justin Upton having protection from both Kubel and Aaron Hill, who proved that the National League is a lot more comfortable place for him to play.

While Jason Kubel was on the radar of many teams this winter, the Diamondbacks were the lucky ones to snag his services at an affordable price that will surely pay dividends quickly in the 2012 season.