MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Twins and outfielder Jason Kubel are close to completing a two-year contract.
Kubel said by phone Tuesday that the framework for an agreement was in place, but the deal had not been finalized. General manager Bill Smith said the team was still working on the details.Kubel must pass a physical for an agreement to be completed. All players in town for the Twins' annual fan fest are scheduled for physicals this weekend.
With a deal, the sides would avoid a salary arbitration hearing. Kubel asked for $3.4 million in arbitration and the team offered $2.4 million. A two-year contract would buy out his final two years of arbitration eligibility.
The 26-year-old Kubel had a career-high 20 homers and 78 RBIs as the team's primary designated hitter last season, when he made $1,312,500. He batted .272.
Minnesota's other player in arbitration is right-handed reliever Matt Guerrier, who asked for $1.75 million and was offered $1.2 million. He made $950,000 last year.
