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MINNEAPOLIS - After joining Cleveland for the final month, Jason Kubel found himself in a familiar place in Minnesota when the Indians finished the regular season. During that series with the Twins, Kubel stopped in the home clubhouse to see some of his old teammates and coaches. Manager Ron Gardenhire got to the point. "I said, Why arent you in this clubhouse?" Gardenhire recalled. "He said, Well, lets talk over the winter. And we talked." Less than three months later, Kubel signed with the Twins. Hell be at spring training next month on a minor league contract, but if he is added to the 40-man roster he would receive a $2 million base salary. There are bonuses built in, too: $150,000 each for 300 and 350 plate appearances and $200,000 for 400 plate appearances; and $150,000 each for 30 and 60 days on the active major league roster, excluding time on the disabled list, and $200,000 for 90 days on the active major league roster. Thats an extra $1 million waiting for him if hes healthy and productive enough to re-establish himself as an everyday player. "The guy can put some swings on the ball and put it in the seats. He can carry a ballclub," Gardenhire said. "Im not saying hes here to do that, but I think hes going to be very valuable for us if he comes and proves that in spring training that hes still good and healthy." Kubel isnt the only former Twins standout whos back for a second time. Shortstop Jason Bartlett was signed to a minor league deal and will be in camp vying for a spot. General manager Terry Ryan also confirmed over the weekend the team has maintained interest in two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who is recovering from a second surgery on the left shoulder that kept him out of the 2011 and 2013 seasons. Santana probably wont be ready to pitch until the summer, and hed surely have other teams to pick from. But the theme the Twins are following is clear: leadership ability and winning experience, two important traits theyve largely lacked the last three years while losing at least 96 games each time. Bartlett and Kubel are past their prime, a decline accelerated by injuries, but if theyre healthy they could help enhance the roster. Pedro Florimon is a slick fielder, but even for a shortstop a .278 career on-base percentage wont cut it for long. If the 27-year-old wins the job again, Bartlett could still be in line for a utility spot, competing with Eduardo Escobar. "I feel like a rookie again," Bartlett said over the weekend at the teams annual fan festival, held at Target Field for the first time. Bartlett was traded to Tampa Bay before the 2008 season. He went to the World Series that fall and had a career year in 2009. But his production sharply decreased in 2010, and he was traded to San Diego. Limited by a sprained right knee in 2012, Bartlett was released that summer batting just .133. He didnt play at all in 2013, and he thought his career could be over. He had surgery to fix the knee, though, and the 34-year-old said hes been working out pain-free since. Before choosing the Twins, however, he had to talk to the boss. "He was concerned about if he had a chance to make the club, and I said, Absolutely. You come into my spring training and you prove youre healthy, I know youre a winner. I know you know how to play," Gardenhire said. Kubel signed shortly after Bartlett. "Jason Tyner called me and said, Whats going on? Is this an old-timers game? Do I need to pack my bag or what?" Bartlett said. "That was funny. We have good memories here." Including, of course, the 2006 season when the Twins went 96-66, one game behind the New York Mets and Yankees for the best record in baseball. "We both have been on this team when we were doing well," said Kubel, who also spent time at TwinsFest. "They kind of wanted to bring that attitude back. Theyve got the right guys to do that with." Kubel signed with Arizona for two years and $15 million prior to the 2012 season, but last year he was bothered by knee and quadriceps trouble on his left leg and stumbled to career lows in every significant statistical category. He was designated for assignment and then traded to Cleveland. Just two years ago, though, he hit 30 homers and drove in 90 runs for the Diamondbacks. There are openings in the outfield for him to fill. "It just didnt work out last year," he said. "Healthy now. No issues. ... Im just really excited to get started." Kenny Young Jersey . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. Orlando Brown Jr. Jersey . Edwin Encarnacion carried the torch for two days at Fenway Park this week; Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista have had their moments; lately Anthony Gose has contributed. http://www.cheapravensshoponline.com/You...avens-Jersey/.J. -- Having Ondrej Pavelec earn his 100th NHL win and seeing Mark Scheifele and Evander Kane break goal droughts were nice highlights for the Winnipeg Jets. Anthony Averett Ravens Jersey . PETERSBURG, Florida – Heading into Thursday nights action, Dioner Navarro had caught 14 innings combined from starters Drew Hutchison and Mark Buehrle. Custom Baltimore Ravens Jerseys .Y. - The Buffalo Sabres reassigned forward Sam Reinhart to the WHLs Kootenay Ice on Friday.Yes, the Dallas Cowboys are for real. That was the question of all speculative questions as last Sunday started. And after the blocked punt by Seattle and the six fast special teams points I thought; here we go again -- an atmosphere advantage and a Seattle dominate win. But I was wrong. It was just a challenging moment to overcome and the Cowboys did that. Whether you like them or hate them, you have to respect them for the 30-23 win. Are there concerns? There always are. First, you have to wonder if DeMarco Murray can last the season as a healthy running back. If he does, that in itself will be a major accomplishment. Between Murray and Marshawn Lynch, we saw the two most physical and extreme effort laden running backs in football. Lynch has been able to stay healthy over time and perhaps Murray will too. If he does, this is a playoff year in Dallas but even if not, Joseph Randal can be a primary runner. His contribution is not as dramatic as Murray but effective in its own way. The second heath issue in Dallas is Tony Romo at quarterback. Did you get the impression that maybe something is not 100 per cent? He took a tough hit on one play and a few pushes on another and even at the midpoint of the season, he does not always participate on Wednesday practice. His value is so significant when you consider Romo has 26 fourth quarter comeback wins since 2006. The last one, on Sunday, was just maybe his best. This was a dominate win; 23 first downs to 9, 162 yards rushing to 80, 401 total yards to 206. And the big one to me was time of possession. Dallas kept the ball 37 minutes and 37 seconds while Seattle had 22 minutes and 21 seconds. Final score of 30-23 and no luck involved. In Buffalo, the Patriots woon 37-22 but I was more impressed with the Bills.ddddddddddddAfter destroying the Bengals on the ground, New England only ran for 50 yards on 27 attempts. The Bills defensive line is very good, from Mario Williams to Kyle Williams to Marcell Dareus, but Jerry Hughes at 6 2 and 254lbs has some Cam Wake-type skills and Canadian Stefan Charles has emerged as the fifth best defensive lineman especially against the run. If Hughes performs, the Bills will continue to excel at a very high level. And to think no Kiko Alonso in the middle. Last hidden reason for the Bills perceived success despite the 37 points allowed; former Detroit head coach and present defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He was an amazing success in Tennessee when he was with Jeff Fisher and he is creating those good Tennessee defenses in Buffalo. With New England, they won the game but at a high price with no Jerod Mayo on defense and no Steven Ridley on offense. That is a high price. In Cleveland, I cant remember the last time I saw a final score of Cleveland 31 and Pittsburgh 10. After so much hype between Manziel and Hoyer, it is Hoyer that is playing and Manziel watching. For some reason I like that. Brian Hoyer is a free agent next year, I doubt he will get Brady/Manning/Bress/Kaepernick/Rogers/Newton or Dalton money but he will be set for life and that means a lot. And finally in Cincinnati, Mike Nugent missed a 36 yard field goal to win in what ended up as a tie 37-37 with Carolina. The vast majority of players will say nothing, do nothing and stay aloof. But not all. My hope is Nugent has an opportunity again in the near future to hit a 36 yard field goal to win. It is the only way to forgive and forget in the world of win not matter what. 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