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. Neftali Feliz Jersey . 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." Ryan Braun Brewers Jersey . -- The Oakland Raiders added a veteran presence to their young receiving group by signing free agent James Jones to a three-year contract Monday. Chris Carter Jersey . Speaking on TSN Radio 1050s TSN Drive with Dave Naylor on Monday, Colangelo said he had no intention of tanking the shortened 2011-12 season, but definitely wanted a high pick in the draft. "I wish that word wasnt used for headline reasons," said Colangelo, "but the story behind it was: how can we fix the system? How can we tweak the system to make it less likely that teams are rewarded for losing records? "I do believe that if youre as transparent as we were at the time - with our season seat holders, our fans, the market place and the media - everybody knew what the plan was and what we were going through. http://www.baseballbrewersofficial.com/will-middlebrooks-jersey-c-6/ . The day began ominously for the Rangers when star pitcher Yu Darvish was scratched from his scheduled start with stiffness in his neck. Fill-in Scott Baker gave up three hits over six innings and Chris Gimenez hit a tiebreaking two-out RBI single in the sixth off Phil Hughes.TORONTO — Out of the world junior championship with a high ankle sprain, Robby Fabbri cant lead Canada on the ice. But he led the team into Air Canada Centre on Sunday, making his way on crutches.Fabbri was injured early in Canadas rout of Denmark in the quarter-finals and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Now he is reduced to cheering from the stands while his teammates rally around him.We all know who were playing for now, winger Max Domi said. To see that happen to anyone, especially one of your teammates, one of your buddies, it sucks. Were playing for him now.Fabbri, a St. Louis Blues prospect who plays for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, appreciates his friends dedicating their finish at the world juniors to him. Understandably upset hes not able to take the ice with them, the Mississauga, Ont., native is doing his best to make it through a tough time.I just come to the rink every day and supporting the guys and make sure Im not bringing anyone down, the 18-year-old Fabbri said. Just happy to be here and happy to support the guys.Fabbri had two goals and four assists in the first four games of the tournament, playing on Canadas second line alongside Connor McDavid and Curtis Lazar. He got tangled up with Danish defenceman Anders Krogsgaard just a few minutes into Friday nights game and went down in pain.Somehow my leg ended up behind me almost touching my head, said Fabbri, who watched the replay of his injury. It was an unfortunate play and theres nothing you can do about it.Brayden Point stepped into Fabbris spot next to McDavid and will be there again for Sunday nights semifinal game against Slovakia. Point had been Canadas 13th forward. Martin Maldonado Jersey. Coach Benoit Groulx said he was glad that Point was getting a chance but upset it came at the expense of losing Fabbri.Its very disappointing for him, obviously, Groulx said. Such a nice person and hes a great competitor. When you look at Robby Fabbri, when you look at the player itself, hes a very good hockey player. But what separates him from other players is how competitive he is and how much he wants to make the difference out there.Fabbri wont be able to make a difference the rest of the way for Canada, which all along has been favoured to win gold on home ice. It was not clear how much time Fabbri would miss for Guelph.Not all high ankle sprains are the same, but Toronto Maple Leafs winger Brandon Kozun recently missed more than six weeks with one.Fabbri said a couple of St. Louis staffers reached out to him along with star forwards T.J. Oshie and Jaden Schwartz. Fabbri is considered one of the Blues top prospects.In Blues camp this past fall, Fabbri was a huge surprise before suffering an upper-body injury. This is another blow.Ive had a little bit of a tough year this year, in St. Louis as well, Fabbri said. Everything happens for a reason and you just have to build off it and build character.Fabbri barely got to enjoy playing close to home at Air Canada Centre but is still a part of the camaraderie this group has been building for weeks. His teammates are glad hes still around and dont take his upbeat mood for granted.Hes a great guy on and off the ice, and his attitude is still really positive and hasnt changed at all, Domi said. Were going to need that from him.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '