It's official: Kubel Designated for Assignment

[Seth Stohs]

According to a tweet from FSN's Tyler Mason, the Twins have Designated Jason Kubel for Assignment.

 

Not a surprise. After such a strong start (2 weeks), he just hasn't hit.

 

It's hard to see someone who had so much success in a Twins uniform for a long time end up with this fate. It's more annoying to read and hear commenters bashing someone who has done so much for the organization over the years.

[Squirrel]

I'm not surprised either. We all knew it was coming; it was necessary. I'm sure on some level, he did, too. These things are always just a little bit sad, bittersweet, but as they say in my world, the show must go on.

[Seth Stohs]

Another tweet from Tyler Mason:

 

Just talked to an emotional Kubel. "I just had a lot of good memories. A lot of big wins. A lot of big homers. It's been a lot of fun."

[Guest USAFChief]

Agree it's a bit sad, but he just wasn't hitting.

[Hawkeye12]

Knew it had to be coming with Morales signing. I was so glad to see him get off to a hot start, but I think playing everyday in the outfield took it's toll on him. He wasn't really brought here to have to do that. Looks like he was 0 for his last 26, which is a tough way to end things. I was actually hoping he'd get to hit yesterday late, and maybe get one last hit.

[Seth Stohs]

http://m.mlb.com/video/v8059633/minnyy-kubel-blasts-a-grand-slam-in-the-eighth/?query=kubel+grand+slam

[TheLeviathan]

I always dug Kubes, was sad to see him go the first time. This time it was the right move and overdue, but unfortunate the fairy tale ending didn't come together.

[twinscowboysbulls]

I've hated the way Kubel has played lately, but love the player. He is a great pro. I hope he really has had an impact on the approach in the locker room

To help facilitate this near .500 start.

 

Who goes down when Fuld is ready? Hicks? Parmelee?

[gunnarthor]

Best of luck to him. I think his ML career is over but I wonder if he would go overseas to play?

[howeda7]

Will always remember Kubel fondly and I liked that we brought him back. But there just wasn't enough left in the tank to last. Best of luck Kubes.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

Along with Cuddyer, Morneau and Mauer - he was part of a fearsome line-up that brought us some great memories. Baseball is a cruel sport, our efforts to reclaim past glory are often never to be. Thanks Jason and best of luck in what comes next for you.

[pierre75275]

Does this mean he is released? Or does he have the option to play in AAA since he signed a minor league deal?

[JB_Iowa]

Another thought of what might have been .... what could he have done but not for the knee injury early in his career?

 

Maybe it wouldn't have made any difference but its something to think about when we talk about Singleton-like contracts.

 

All the best to you, Jason Kubel. Thanks for a lot of good memories (including this big one in 2010:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v8059633/minnyy-kubel-blasts-a-grand-slam-in-the-eighth

 

Edit: Oops, missed that Seth had already posted the video link. Great memory!!

[bear333]

I've hated the way Kubel has played lately, but love the player. He is a great pro. I hope he really has had an impact on the approach in the locker room

To help facilitate this near .500 start.

 

Who goes down when Fuld is ready? Hicks? Parmelee?

I'm starting to believe that they may actually keep Hicks up for his defense, now that the rest of the order is getting stronger. Parmelee is back to his old tricks. Maybe he is destined to remain a really good AAA player.

[pierre75275]

http://m.mlb.com/video/v8059633/minnyy-kubel-blasts-a-grand-slam-in-the-eighth/?

query=kubel+grand+slam

I could watch this all day and still get goose bumps.

[bear333]

Either way he is not going to get another shot with the Twins.

[brendanlake31]

Does anyone wanna take a stab at Gardy's speech when he informed Kubel that he was designated for assignment?

[Circus Boy]

Along with Cuddyer, Morneau and Mauer - he was part of a fearsome line-up that brought us some great memories. Baseball is a cruel sport, our efforts to reclaim past glory are often never to be. Thanks Jason and best of luck in what comes next for you.

 

Exactly.

[cmathewson]

Good luck Jason. I'll miss you.

[kydoty]

The baseball equivalent of being fired from your job. Never fun for anybody involved. Wish nothing but the best for him.

[twinsnorth49]

Does anyone wanna take a stab at Gardy's speech when he informed Kubel that he was designated for assignment?

 

Go ahead, you tell us.

[JB_Iowa]

Ryan did the stand up thing:

 

 

• Phil Miller ‏@MillerStrib 16m
  Ryan said telling Kubel he's being released was hard -- "He's made a lot of big contributions here." He & Kubel go back more than a decade.
   
   
  

[Puckett34]

I recognize that he was not his former self outside of the first two weeks of the season, but this makes me sad.

 

Outside of Morneau and Nathan, one of my favorite players of the 2000's. Thanks for the memories Kubes.

[Mike Sixel]

Good luck to Jason. Very fond memories of his play......

[ashbury]

Does anyone wanna take a stab at Gardy's speech when he informed Kubel that he was designated for assignment?

 

I expect it was short and to the point, with thanks for past contributions and for gritting it out through pain this season, and about how this is the part of the job he hates.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

The one Kubel moment i witnessed live was 6/10/'09. I was visiting Oakland, and stayin' with a friend within walking distance of the Coliseum. Top of the 8th, Twins down 3-2, Kubel hits a pinch hit home run to tie it, and then in the 9th, the Twins break through to win it.

 

Went lookin' for a video of it, but i guess it is old enough that they don't have it trivially on mlb.

 

Kubel is in limbo at most... 10 days? Hopefully he'll land on his feet before then? And there's a slim chance he may end up in Rochester?

[Thrylos]

Best of luck to him. I think his ML career is over but I wonder if he would go overseas to play?

 

With $30 million total earnings from baseball and at least one kindergarten age son, I seriously doubt it...

[Marta Shearing]

According to a tweet from FSN's Tyler Mason, the Twins have Designated Jason Kubel for Assignment.

 

Not a surprise. After such a strong start (2 weeks), he just hasn't hit.

 

It's hard to see someone who had so much success in a Twins uniform for a long time end up with this fate. It's more annoying to read and hear commenters bashing someone who has done so much for the organization over the years.

Unfortunately he'll likely be remembered most for his playoffs performance in 2009 and 2010. Very sad to think what might have been if not for that freakish knee injury.

[Dman]

He made me eat crow at the beginning of this year as he was hitting so well. I didn't think he was worthy of making the team out of spring training. I wish he would have made me eat crow the rest of the season. Was so happy when he was hitting well. Lot;s of great memories and I would guess he will get another chance somewhere else. Might have to prove himself in AAA somewhere first. Wish him the best.

[Paul Pleiss]

Who goes down when Fuld is ready? Hicks? Parmelee?

 

 

I think Chicken Parm is the clear answer for demotion. Hicks is improving, and even with Fuld, I don't think you can lose Hicks. His BA is just a couple ticks below Pinto going into today...