Span on time in D.C.: "I had a lot of fun there"

Span on time in D.C.: "I had a lot of fun there"
His career did not start off the way he wanted. As a matter of fact, he was surprised he didn't make the team out of spring training back in 2008. Outfielder Denard Span had already spent five seasons in the minor leagues. In spring training with the Twins in 2008, he felt he had done enough to make the squad after hitting .282. The spring prior, Span had hit .302. "My rookie year was a special one to me because I got sent down after spring training," Span said. "I didn't make the team. I...

An all-time Nationals roster - with a twist

An all-time Nationals roster - with a twist
Everyone's putting together "All-Time Best" lists right now. I half expect someone to compile the "All-Time Best All-Time Best List" before the pandemic ends. So, we might as well get into the game here. But we're going to add a twist to this one. This won't just be the All-Time Best Nationals Roster. That would be too easy. (Just take a bunch of guys from the 2019 club, add a couple others from the pre-championship years and you've got it.) No, this one requires a little more brain...

Nationals need Taylor to contribute offensively

Nationals need Taylor to contribute offensively
The Nationals came from behind to drop the Orioles 7-6 on Wednesday night, scoring five runs and pounding out six hits in the last two innings. Down 6-2, center fielder Michael A. Taylor charged up the rally with a two-run homer off of Orioles right-hander Alec Asher. It was his first homer since July 15, 2016 against Pittsburgh. Taylor also contributed an RBI single in the fourth that plated the Nationals' first run of the night. He also smacked a run-scoring double Monday night in...

Grateful for opportunity with Giants, Span ready to face Nats

Grateful for opportunity with Giants, Span ready to face Nats
SAN FRANCISCO - Denard Span isn't having a great season, not by his standards. But the 32-year-old outfielder is healthy again after an agonizing 2015 with the Nationals that included three different surgeries, never-ending rehab and then the uncertainty that accompanied that once he hit free agency last fall. So as he prepares to face his former club this weekend, Span has come to appreciate the opportunity he was given by the Giants, who despite his health questions over the winter were...

Notes on Chen, Parra and more offseason moves for the Orioles and Nationals

Notes on Chen, Parra and more offseason moves for the Orioles and Nationals
The Miami Marlins have signed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen and the Colorado Rockies have added outfielder Gerardo Parra, so that puts the Orioles in the middle of trade speculation and free agent signings with pitchers. The news focus is left-handed batting outfielders, whether it is the Nationals or the Orioles. Parra, who played for the Orioles last season, gets three years and $27 million. He gives the Rockies four left-handed hitting outfielders along with Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and...

Out of the Park: Football playoffs and welcoming a new teammate while another leaves

Out of the Park: Football playoffs and welcoming a new teammate while another leaves
Happy new year and welcome back to "Out of the Park," Nats fans! I hope everyone had a very nice holiday season as we return to the real world this week. It would probably take a short novel to put together all of the holiday posts from the Nationals players over the break, so we'll just pick up from this week. Outfielder Matt den Dekker happened to spend his New Year's Eve in Dallas and was able to get over to AT&T Stadium with wife Christine to watch the NFC East champion Redskins...

Denard Span says goodbye: "DC will always feel like home"

Denard Span says goodbye: "DC will always feel like home"
Denard Span is the latest Nationals free agent to officially leave Washington this offseason, signing a three-year, $31 million deal with the Giants on Thursday night. Span became one of the most beloved Nationals after arriving in D.C. in a trade with the Twins prior to the 2013 season. Over the last three years, Span slashed .292/.345/.404 as the catalyst of the Nationals lineup while displaying show-stopping defense in center field. In 2014, Span tied for the National League lead with a...

Notes on Denard Span, Miguel Gonzalez and the assistant hitting coach candidates

Notes on Denard Span, Miguel Gonzalez and the assistant hitting coach candidates
Another outfielder came off the board yesterday when Denard Span agreed to terms on a three-year, $31 million contract with the Giants that also includes a possible $5 million in incentives. The Orioles liked Span as a right fielder and leadoff hitter, but they weren't offering more than one season. The deal would have been loaded with incentives. I figured that Span would get two years from another team. I never imagined a third guaranteed year. The Orioles never gave it a thought due to...

Denard Span inks three-year deal with Giants

Denard Span inks three-year deal with Giants
If the Nationals add another outfielder this offseason, it won't be Denard Span. The Giants announced this evening they reached a three-year deal with Span, one reportedly worth $31 million, pending a physical. Span had been the Nationals' center fielder and leadoff hitter since coming to Washington in a trade with Minnesota before the 2013 season. Speaking earlier today following a press conference introducing new Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated...

#TBT: Denard Span makes dazzling snag

#TBT: Denard Span makes dazzling snag
Happy 2016, Nats fans! A new season of Nats baseball will be here before we know it, with pitchers and catchers set to report in just a little more than a month. The Nationals have been busy this offseason, adding players such as Daniel Murphy, who had his introductory press conference today. With additions and with players heading into free agency after the 2015 season, the Nats roster will look much different in 2016. A key subtraction is veteran Denard Span, who just signed a three-year deal...

More on Orioles' interest in Denard Span

More on Orioles' interest in Denard Span
With the Orioles in the market for another left-handed bat and searching for one more outfielder, it's natural to link them to Denard Span as we approach 2016. Span also would fill their need for a leadoff hitter, allowing them to lower Manny Machado in the order. They place a great deal of emphasis on defense, and Span isn't suited for New Year's Eve celebrations because he rarely lets a ball drop. I confirmed in November that the Orioles held interest in Span and his name came up at the...

Could Denard Span return to the Nationals?

Could Denard Span return to the Nationals?
With just two days remaining in 2015, plenty of attractive free agent outfielders remain on the open market. Beyond the Cubs winning the Jason Heyward sweepstakes - which the Nationals were in on - it's been a quiet hot stove for a bunch of big names and big bats in the outfield. Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton and Alex Gordon headline the group still unsigned. You could throw Chris Davis in there, though he is likely to be inked to a long-term deal as a first baseman, not an outfielder. The...

Orioles on right path but with many more steps to take

Orioles on right path but with many more steps to take
Another day in the Hot Stove League brought more rumors, conflicting reports and a reheated leftover on the Orioles' interest in free agent outfielder Denard Span. The Orioles have been eyeing Span for months. They just need assurances that he's healthy and durable enough to last through the 2016 season. If I have to recite their shopping list one more time, I may experience a total meltdown. A corner outfielder and a starting pitcher. Those are the main priorities. The Orioles desperately...

Comments from Boras' scrum on Harper, Strasburg and Span

Comments from Boras' scrum on Harper, Strasburg and Span
NASHVILLE - One of the most eagerly anticipated happenings of the Winter Meetings has finally taken place. Super agent Scott Boras held court during his annual scrum outside the media workroom at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center this afternoon, and didn't shy away from talking about contractual issues surrounding two of the Nationals players - and one ex-Nat - he represents. Coming off his first National League Most Valuable Player award, right fielder Bryce Harper's stock...

Orioles meeting today with agent Scott Boras

Orioles meeting today with agent Scott Boras
NASHVILLE - Providing further proof that they haven't surrendered hope of re-signing first baseman Chris Davis, the Orioles are meeting today with agent Scott Boras at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Multiple people have confirmed the meeting, and Davis won't be the lone topic of conversation. Boras also represents Pedro Alvarez, who was non-tendered by the Pirates and intrigues the Orioles as a potential left-handed bat at designated hitter. Outfielder Denard Span, who...

Would Gerardo Parra be a good fit to lead off for Nationals in 2016?

Would Gerardo Parra be a good fit to lead off for Nationals in 2016?
The Nationals' search for a leadoff hitter could once again turn toward the possibility of signing free agent Gerardo Parra, a left-handed hitter that president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo has had a good relationship with since his days with the Diamondbacks. MLB.com wrote about the Nationals' possible intent to acquire Parra way back in 2012. The Nationals currently have five outfielders on their 40-man roster, headlined by Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth. Michael A....

Is Denard Span a fit in right field?

Is Denard Span a fit in right field?
In exactly one week, I'll be boarding a flight to Nashville for the Winter Meetings and complaining loudly every step of the way. That's a lot of complaining when you factor in the number of steps from the front desk to the elevators and media workroom at the spacious Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. You're handed a map and wished good luck. Then you spend the next five days hopelessly lost. Forget about chasing rumors. I'll be preoccupied with searching for the lobby and my...

Identifying a leadoff hitter is among issues Dusty Baker faces

Identifying a leadoff hitter is among issues Dusty Baker faces
One of the Nationals' major deficiencies last season was the lack of a consistent offensive presence at the top of their lineup. Multiple injuries limited Denard Span, their normal table setter, to only 61 games before his season ended in late August. In Span's absence, former manager Matt Williams scrambled to find a leadoff man, using rookie Michael A. Taylor, Jayson Werth, Yunel Escobar and Anthony Rendon. With Span hitting the free agent market last week and unlikely to return to...

Possible outfield targets for the Nationals in free agency

Possible outfield targets for the Nationals in free agency
The Nationals decided against extending a qualifying offer to Denard Span on Friday afternoon, allowing the center fielder to hit the open market. While Span still could re-sign with the Nats, it's likely the ballclub plans to move on with Michael A. Taylor in center. The 24-year-old was impressive filling in for Span in his first full season in the majors. But the Nationals could look for depth in the outfield via free agency this offseason. Injuries to Jayson Werth and Span last year forced...

Breaking down the local free agents and who might be interested in them

Breaking down the local free agents and who might be interested in them
The free agent season has arrived and the two local nines will look different in 2016 given their free agent list and the value of those players on the open market. The Nationals and Orioles won't be able to keep everyone. Every team needs pitching and the list for free agent starting pitchers is long, so how will that affect the market? The Orioles need rotation help and stability in their outfield corners. The Nationals, with new manager Dusty Baker, have to fix their bullpen and decide how...