Many MLB clubs have reportedly been hesitant to give Denard Span a contract beyond one-year due to injury concerns. Well, the San Francisco Giants had a need in the outfield and pounced on the opportunity to sign the veteran to a multi-year deal.
The Giants and Span have agreed to a three-year contract pending a physical, the team announced on Twitter.
San Francisco has not yet disclosed the financial terms of the deal, but FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting Span is guaranteed $31 million. Jon Heyman adds Span can earn $5 million in incentives.
The #SFGiants have agreed to terms with OF Denard Span on a three-year contract pending a physical.
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) January 7, 2016
Span, who turns 32 next month, was limited to just 61 games in 2015 with the Washington Nationals due to back, abdomen and hip injuries. During his three seasons with the Nats, the veteran hit .292/.345/.404 with 207 runs scored, 14 home runs, 106 RBI and 62 stolen bases in 361 games.
He was limited at the beginning of the year due to abdomen surgery and was then shut down after he underwent hip surgery in August.
His agent, Scott Boras, said earlier in the offseason at the Winter Meetings that his client was not going to sign a one-year deal, which many originally expected due to the uncertainty surrounding his longevity. Boras had all along been shooting for a multi-year pact.
It's unknown where the Giants will use Span since he's primarily a center fielder. The team still has Angel Pagan under contract through 2016 and he hasn't played a position aside from center since 2010. However, previous rumors suggested the Giants might sign center fielder Dexter Fowler and use him in left field until Pagan hits free agency or were to suffer an injury during the season. That could be the same plan with Span.
San Francisco also got themselves a consistent leadoff man. Span has batted leadoff in almost every game throughout his career and owns a .285/.350/.390 slash line in that role. The Giants had been switching between Pagan, Nori Aoki and Gregor Blanco in the leadoff spot in 2015, so Span may provide a more stable option given he stays healthy.
The Giants could announce the signing as soon as tomorrow, so stay tuned for the official financial details of Span's contract.
