want to be that second club," da

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." Donte Jackson Jersey . - Their offence is underperforming. DaNorris Searcy Jersey . The union filed a grievance late Thursday, one day after Goodell suspended four players who participated in bounties from 2009-11. 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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando City owner Flavio Augusto da Silva knows theres no way his MLS expansion franchise could take the place of any Brazil club in the hearts of any Brazilian soccer fan. But with the signing of Kaka, da Silva hopes theres one room for more. "We want to be that second club," da Silva said Tuesday when Orlando City formally introduced the Brazilian three-time World Cup participant. The 32-year old midfielder, whose full name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, will join the MLS club when it begins play in January 2015. Until then, he will be on loan to San Paulo FC. He most recently played for AC Milan, terminating that contract last week. His deal with Orlando City is for three-and-a-half years. "This is not about the money," said Kaka, the world player of the year in 2007. "I know you know my resume. I can play anywhere else if money were the top question. This is a life opportunity, for myself, for my family. Players from now on will be looking for soccer opportunity in the United States." Over 200 fans greeted Kaka Monday night at Orlando International Airport. He was expected to join a watch party of the United States-Belgium World Cup match Tuesday afternoon. Some City streetlightss had a ".ddddddddddddomingsoon" hashtag with Kafkas silhouette outside the downtown club where the press conference was held Kaka was expected to join a watch party of the United States-Belgium World Cup match Tuesday afternoon. The signing was the culmination of two years of "flirting" between da Silva and Kaka ("I love Flavio, but Im married and so is he," Kaka joked) after the World Cup champion MVP served as a spokesman for one of da Silvas companies. Even after da Silva sold the company, his pursuit continued as Kaka entertained some MLS offers, most notably from New York. Both Kakas appreciation of the Orlando market as well as Brazil delivering the highest number of international visitors to the destination, influenced his decision to become the face of Orlandos startup efforts as the MLS 21st franchise. The team has won two USL Pro regular season titles and two post season championships. Orlando City co-owner Phil Rawlins said that signing Kaka was one of the franchises primary goals. "Not only did we sign a Brazilian superstar, we signed a world superstar," Rawlins said. "Kaka is not here to retire, hes here to win. 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