The San Francisco Giants, who already made a splash this offseason by signing free-agent pitchers Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, have address their other nagging need. And, once again, they dipped into the free-agent market to do it.
The Giants announced Thursday that they've agreed to terms with centerfielder Denard Span on a three-year deal. It's pending a physical. According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Span will get $31 million over those three seasons.
There was some concern about Span's health this winter, since he played in only 61 games last season with the Washington Nationals and is coming off hip surgery. But both Span and agent Scott Boras have been adamant that he's healthy and ready to go for 2016. Span even posted a video on Twitter this week of himself jumping over hurdles as proof.
Span ranked No. 19 on Jeff Passan's Free-Agent Tracker. When he was healthy in 2014, Span hit .302 with a league-leading 184 hits. The question is whether Span, who will be 32 by Opening Day, will be his old self this year. If so, he'll be a strong fit for the Giants, who have a solid lineup but could be even more dangerous with a spark plug atop it.
If Span is the player he used to be, the Giants could be getting a bargain. And in a position where they need help. Angel Pagan and Nori Aoki led off most frequently for the club in 2015. Aoki has departed as a free agent and Pagan has been slowed by injury the past two seasons, though he had been a fan-favorite in centerfield.
In Span, the Giants are getting a player who is younger than Pagan, plus a better defender and better hitter. Pagan has played left field in the past, so there's a good chance he can slide over there and the Giants will have an outfield of Pagan, Span and Hunter Pence. Add Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Matt Duffy and that pitching staff, and Giants fans have to be feeling pretty good about 2016.
Keep in mind, even years have treated the Giants well in the past.
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