Minnesota Twins Sign Denard Span to Five-Year Contract

When the news broke this morning that the Minnesota Twins signed one of their regulars to a contract, I am sure every Twins fan was hoping it was Joe Mauer who was signed to that contract. Unfortunately, for Twins fans it was not Mauer who was signed this morning.

Instead they will have to settle for five more years of Denard Span.

According to Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune , the Twins have signed the 26-year-old outfielder to a five-year, $16.5 million contract with a club option for a sixth year. The deal buys out the rest of Span’s controlled years under the Twins and the club option could buy out his first year of free agency.

The club option for 2015 is for $9 million. Here is how Span’s new contract breaks down:

2011: $1 million

2012: $3 million

2013: $4.75 million

2014: $6.5 million

2015: $9 million – Club option with a $500,000 buy out.

If you consider that Span hit .311 with eight home runs, 10 triples, 23 stolen bases, a .392, a 3.9 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), and was worth around $17 million to the Twins last year, this is a very, very, very good deal for Minnesota.

Span’s 3.9 WAR was higher than other outfielders like Adam Lind, Jason Bay, Curtis Granderson, and Bobby Abreu. Even if Span’s stats dip a little this year, he should be worth his contract in 2010 alone.

Now if Minnesota can just lock up Mauer, their fans will breathe a little easier. I believe they will before the season starts and I have this funny feeling they will announce the signing before Opening Day at the new Target Field.

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