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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. Dennis Byrd Womens 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." Matt Forte Jets Jersey . -- The Los Angeles Clippers chose not to speak publicly about owner Donald Sterling before they faced the Golden State Warriors for Game 4 of their first-round series Sunday. Darrelle Revis Womens Jersey . At least 90 players who had college eligibility remaining are expected to enter the draft, shattering last years record number of 73. "Its a humongous number, so the first reaction is it makes you step back a little bit," said NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a former scout with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. Cheap Eric Decker Jets Jersey: Womens Authentic Eric Decker Jerseys & T-shirts . For Bergevin, the best pick is the 30th — which traditionally goes to the Stanley Cup winner. "Thats our goal. COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- Frank Klopas was happy with his players effort Saturday night. The officiating, on the other hand, left the Montreal Impact coach frustrated and angry. Dillon Powers scored on an early penalty kick to give the Colorado Rapids a 1-0 lead, and three goals in the second half helped them cruise to a 4-1 win over Montreal. Klopas expressed his dissatisfaction with referee Chris Penso, who made the call that awarded Colorado the penalty kick, after the game. "We were controlling the game and its unfortunate," Klopas said. "When the referee is a protagonist in the game its never good. So its a shame. He did a very, very poor job. For me, he had a very bad game." Powers, Kamani Hill and Shane ONeill scored in the second half as Colorado (5-4-3) snapped a two-game losing streak. Powers penalty-kick goal came in the fifth minute of the match, on what the Impact considered a borderline call on midfielder Sanna Nyassi. "Whatever the call was they still had a point-blank shot that was saved," midfielder Justin Mapp said. "Looks like a pretty good advantage to me. Not sure what the call is there." For a team that has struggled to find some footing away from home it was a tough night. The Impact (1-6-4) kept it close until the second half, but Colorado scored two goals in a span of five minutes to put it away. Anders Romero scored the lone goal for Montreal, which is now 0-4-2 on the road. "For us, we have to regroup fast," Klopas said. "We have the Canadian final coming up." The Impact had some chances right after Powers penalty kick but couldnt cash in. Mapp got through the defence on the left side and put a shot on Colorado goalie Clint Irwin, who made the save in the eighth minute. Mapp had another chance in the 16th minute but couldnt convert, and he hit a post in the 50th minute with his team down just a goal. He also was takenn down in the box but no call was made, which didnt sit well with the Impact. Curtis Martin Youth Jersey. "I thought so but I might be a little biased," Mapp said when asked if the takedown should have resulted in a penalty kick. An offside call that negated a goal by Issey Nakajima-Farran in the 66th minute added to the frustration. "I know the game is fast and people make mistakes, but today when we can talk mainly about the decisions of the referee its never good," Klopas said. The Rapids had several chances early but some good defence and key saves kept the Impact close. Deshorn Brown got a step on midfielder Patrice Bernier and then deked goaltender Troy Perkins in the 14th minute, but as Brown got a low shot off, Bernier slid behind Perkins to kick away the shot. "Once he dribbled I saw he didnt really see me coming from behind," Brenier said. "I dove, made a play and kept us at 1-0. Cant give up." Later, Brown leaped over midfielder Wandrille Lefevre but hit the post. Those near misses didnt cost the Rapids, however. Goals by Hill in the 54th minute and ONeill in the 59th gave the Rapids a 3-0 lead. Hills goal, his first since October 2012, came at the top of the box and faded over Perkins outstretch arm. ONeill dropped his shot over Perkins and just under the crossbar to make it 3-0. Powers finished the rout when he spun at the top of the box and sent a low shot past Perkins in the 84th minute for his second of the game. Romero scored his second goal of the season with a strong individual effort. He took the ball from the sideline, dribbled past three defenders and beat Irwin with a shot to the far post in the 88th minute. "It was a great goal. It just seems for us we have to score a goal for the Oscars," Klopas said. "We had some good chances. It is what it is. My players, they gave everything. Theres nothing I can complain about." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '