The Diamondbacks have signed 29-year old lefty swinging LF Jason Kubel to a 2-year, $15 million dollar deal with an option for 2014. Kubel played in 99 games for the Twins last year and he was 100 for 366 (.273 avg, 766 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 12 homers, 58 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 753 games in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 694 for 2,559 (.271 avg, .794 OPS) with 334 runs scored, 104 homers, 429 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Kubel will take over as the Diamondbacks’ starting LF with Gerardo Parra becoming the new #4 outfielder. This was a good signing for the D-Backs as they can really use a lefty power hitter and Kubel fits that bill.

The Diamondbacks have signed 29-year old righty reliever Jonathan Albaladejo. He pitched in 46 games in Japan last year and he was 2-2 with 2 saves, a 2.45 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Albaladejo last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Yankees. He has pitched in 63 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he was 6-3 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. This was a nice pickup as Albaladejo will get a shot to win a spot in the D-Backs’ bullpen next spring.

The Diamondbacks have decided not to tender a contract for the 2012 season to 30-year old lefty starting pitcher Joe Saunders, making him a free agent. Saunders pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the D-Backs last year and he was 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He pitched in 46 games (all starts) in two years with the Diamondbacks and he was 15-20 with a 3.85 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The Diamondbacks tried to re-sign Saunders, but it just didn’t work out. He will be heavily sought out on the free agent market.

UPDATE: (1/24/2012) - The Diamondbacks have re-signed Joe Saunders to a 1-year, $6 million dollar deal. This signing gives the D-Backs one of the best starting rotations 1-5 in all of baseball.

The Diamondbacks have decided not to tender a contract to 29-year old righty reliever/starter Micah Owings. Owings pitched in 33 games (4 starts) for the D-Backs last year and he was 8-0 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He pitched in 84 games (49 starts) in his three years with the Diamondbacks and he was 22-17 with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. The Diamondbacks might miss Owings a little bit as he could work multiple innings in an outing.

The Diamondbacks have signed 41-year old righty reliever Takashi Saito. Saito pitched in 30 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has now pitched in 322 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 21-15 with 84 saves, a 2.18 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. Saito has only given up 233 hits in his first 316 innings in the majors and he has whiffed 389 batters, which shows just how nasty he can be. I love this signing for the D-Backs as Saito is a darn good pitcher when he’s healthy.