Throughout all the wondering, Kubel blossomed into a reliable run-producer in the middle of the Twins' lineup. And the Twins answered the rest of the questions by agreeing to a two-year contract with Kubel, now their everyday designated hitter.

Kubel also agreed to a team option for 2011, the first season he qualifies for free agency, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. The deal -- which will be signed by both sides after Twins doctors examine Kubel's knee once more -- settles his arbitration case, too.

Kubel had sought $3.4 million for the 2009 season, a raise from the $1.3 million he earned in 2008, while the Twins offered $2.4 million. Terms of Kubel's new contract were not released, but it's likely that the three-year total (if the option is exercised) exceeds $10 million.

That's a significant amount of security for a player who feared his career had ended when he tore three ligaments in his knee while chasing a flyball during an Arizona Fall League game more than four years ago.

Kubel missed the 2005 season and was still hampered upon his return in 2006. But the former 12th-round pick has had more than 450 plate appearances over the last two seasons and has averaged 17 home runs and 72 runs batted in.