The Giants and free-agent outfielder Denard Span have agreed to a three-year deal, pending a physical.The deal is reportedly worth $31 million ($10.33 million per season) plus performance bonuses.
Span, who turns 32 in February, is coming off a season in which he played just 61 games because of various injuries. The initial thought throughout the industry was Span would seek a one-year deal to re-establish his value, but his versatility and play when healthy -- posting a career-high 184 hits in 2014 -- led to multiple suitors.Span's versatility is key for the Giants.
Span will slot into left field, but his experience in center -- where he has played 809 of his 943 field appearances -- is an added bonus for San Francisco considering Angel Pagan has played in fewer than 100 games in two of the last three years. Pagan is entering the final year of his contract.Span is a .287/.352/.395 career hitter in eight years with the Twins and Nationals. He has led the league in triples twice (2009, 2014), stolen 20-plus bases four times and finished 19th in Most Valuable Player Award voting in 2014, his last healthy season.Fantasy spin | Fred Zinkie (@FredZinkieMLB)
Span was afflicted by a multitude of injuries in 2015, making three trips to the disabled list and playing just 61 games before undergoing season-ending hip surgery. But the outfielder still posted a terrific .301 average with a .365 on-base percentage and 11 steals, mirroring the type of quality production he has provided throughout his career. Although his durability is now a question mark, a healthy Span can hit .300, swipe 25 bases and score 90 runs as the sparkplug atop a strong Giants lineup.The signing of Span will return Gregor Blanco to his familiar fourth-outfielder role. But with Span coming off an injury-plagued campaign and Pagan having averaged 100 games played across the past three seasons, Blanco should exceed 350 plate appearances and help NL-only squads for the fifth straight year.
Cash Kruth/ MLB.com
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
