Jason Kubel would like a long-term deal from the Minnesota Twins, but the team would prefer that he earn such a contract, according to the Pioneer Press. "I'm trying to show them my legs are good and that I can be counted on for the entire season," said Kubel. "If I can get 500 at-bats and have a good year, hopefully that will put some pressure on (the Twins) to do something so I can stay here." He will become a free agent after the 2010 season but would like to remain with the Twins well past that time. "It's really the best avenue for a club like ours to keeping (high-value players), but there is an element of risk to it," assistant GM Rob Antony said. "Big markets can go year to year with their players (during their first six seasons, when players cannot walk away) because they have the wherewithal to pay (market) values once they reach six years. We have to project what our players will do and lock them up before we have to bid against 29 teams."