Giants agree to 3-year deal with Span
The San Francisco Giants addressed another area of need this winter, agreeing to a three-year, $31-million deal with outfielder Denard Span on Thursday.
The contract holds a $12-million mutual option for a fourth year, according to multiple reports. Should the Giants decline the option, Span is owed an additional $4 million.
Span was limited to just 61 games last season due to hip and back issues, leading to the Washington Nationals failing to issue him a qualifying offer.
The 31-year-old addresses a need at the top of the order for the Giants, while also adding the plus defender needed for the expansive outfield at AT&T Park. Though injuries have cost him some time in the past four years, Span is one of the league's better outfielders when healthy.
He ranks 22nd among outfielders with 12.2 WAR since 2012, hitting .290/.344/.402 with 79 stolen bases and 10 defensive runs saved over that time. Span finished tied for first in the National League with 184 hits in 2014.
| Year | GP | 2B | SB | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 61 | 17 | 11 | .301/.365/.431 |
| 2014 | 147 | 39 | 31 | .302/.355/.416 |
| 2013 | 153 | 28 | 20 | .279/.327/.380 |
| 2012 | 128 | 38 | 17 | .283/.342/.395 |
Span is the latest addition to a Giants team that has spent serious money on free agents this winter. Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, and Span combined to sign for $251 million guaranteed.
The Nationals, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles were also all reportedly interested in Span, with the latter not willing to sign him to a multi-year deal.