Veteran outfielder Jason Kubel, recently signed to a minor league deal, will receive a $2 million base salary if he makes the Twins’ big-league roster.
According to a person with direct knowledge, Kubel’s contract allows for up to $1 million in additional performance bonuses.
Kubel, 31, agreed to a split contract with the Twins on Friday. Coming off a two-year, $16 million deal signed with Arizona, his new agreement calls for him to earn $15,000 per month in the minor leagues.
In the majors, Kubel would earn $150,000 bonuses for reaching 300 and 350 plate appearances, plus another $200,000 for reaching 400 plate appearances.
The former Twins 12th-round draft pick in 2000 also would receive up to $500,000 in roster bonuses: $150,000 apiece for spending 30 and 60 days on the big-league roster, plus an additional $200,000 for spending 90 days with the Twins in the majors.
His deal also includes the usual round of award bonuses, including $100,000 for being named World Series most valuable player or American League MVP. He would receive $25,000 bonuses for making the all-star team or winning his first Gold Glove.
Kubel, who has been invited to Twins’ big-league spring training, also reportedly drew interest from the Baltimore Orioles but chose the Twins because he thought he had a better chance of making their Opening Day roster.
Kubel is a below-average defender in the corner outfield, but if he makes the club, he could also see time at designated hitter or even in relief of Joe Mauer at first base, although Kubel has never played that position.
A left-handed batter, Kubel hit 30 home runs and drove in 90 runs for the Diamondbacks in 2012 but slumped in 2013, in part because of a quadriceps injury, and finished the year with the Cleveland Indians.
Kubel slugged just .317 in 290 combined plate appearances, striking out a career-worst 31.7 percent of the time.
Kubel became a free agent after the Indians declined their $7.5 million option on his contract, giving him a $1 million buyout instead.
Rookie reliever Michael Tonkin, Kubel’s brother-in-law, also could make the Twins’ 2014 Opening Day roster.
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