Jason Kubel Traded to Indians

Diamondbacks outfielder Jason Kubel has been traded to the Cleveland Indians, according to multiple reports. The Indians may use Kubel as their DH, as they rank 8th in BA from the DH position, among all AL teams. In return, the Indians will be sending cash considerations or a PTBNL the Diamondbacks way. The Indians had been on Kubel for awhile, and were talking to the D-Backs until last night, when the trade was completed. 

Kubel, 31, is hitting .220/.288/.324 this season with 5 HR and 32 RBI. He has a WAR of -0.7 this season, as he has had better years in the past. The power numbers have completely fallen off the table, as Kubel had never homered less than 12 times in a full 100 game plus season. He does look to join an Indians squad that currently has the DH hitting .240/.333/.422. Kubel will also provide depth in the outfield for the Indians. 

Jason Kubel will become a free agent this year, but has a team option that could keep him under contract until 2014. He signed a 2 year, 16 million dollar contract in 2012 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Opinion:

I think the trade for Jason Kubel makes sense for the Indians, as they've been looking for a bat. In a down year, I think Kubel's price will be lower than it would be if he was having an average to good year. The Cleveland Indians are using the "buy low" strategy here, as Kubel could provide much more than he's worth in the latter months of the 2013 season.