Twins Sign Key Player to 5-Year Deal
No, not him. But Denard Span's alright by me, and Joe C. says we have him for five more years for $16.5 million with a club option for $9 million in 2015, his first year of free agency.
According to TwinsNow, Span's year-to-year:
2010: $750 K
2011: $1 MM
2012: $3 MM
2013: $4.75 MM
2014: $6.5 MM
5 months ago
RandBall's Stu
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Denard may be the Twins' second most valuable player
so this is probably good.
Depending on the money...
yet another solid, solid move by Bill Smith.
He figures to retain his value very well over the next 5 years, if not improve it. Especially after he shows that he’s a very good defensive CF this year, which I think he will.
I think
Young has been steadily improving each year since he arrived. Can’t wait to see what he brings in 2010!
Good job Mr. Smith
Ski-U-Mah!
by CrazyCollegian on Mar 13, 2010 11:56 AM EST reply actions
I am
I am a little puzzled by this as we had him for 5 more anyway. One would presume it is a big future discount for his arbitration years and/or includes an option for the first FA year. Also, it could have to do with cost certainty for the Joe Mauer deal, as we’ve discussed.
Otherwise, that’s an awful lot of risk to take on, especially for a player who so relies on his speed for value. Speed is so easy to lose with ticky-tack injuries…
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
Well..
Even if he loses some of his speed during the duration of his contract (which is unlikely, given that he’s only 26ish years old), he still has great on-base skills that translate to the leadoff spot regardless. With the deals that the Twins have signed with Baker, Blackburn, and now Span, the team obviously dislikes the arbitration process, and they figure if they can sign him right now to a contract and not have to deal with arbitration, why not do it? I’m also hoping, as you have mentioned, that this is the Twins doing some bookkeeping for the future so they know they’ll have room to sign Mauer.
Love it
Basically a bit over 3 million a year for Span? I’ll take it, If Span continues what he’s done thus far he could get very expensive very quick in his arbitration years. If he can add a bit of power (10 – 15 HR’s) even more so. The option year is a bit high but that’s why it’s an option. Great move.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Yep...
This price is GREAT!
MLBTradeRumors had his comparables for very similar deals:
Granderson’s came out at $28.25M
Crawford $20.5M
Sizemore $14.5M
I think we did very well here.
All this cost-certainty maneuvering HAS to be a precursor to a Mauer deal.
It has to be. It seems so obvious to me.
+1
The book keeping is just a very Twins-y thing to do before they give a huge contract to someone. Like it or not, our front office is pretty responsible. They want to be sure that they won’t be completely hamstrung by Mauer’s contract and other future arbitration’s.
by John Veldhuis on Mar 13, 2010 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
This is
This is an incredible discount from his arbitration value if he does anything close to uphold his current performance levels.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
You just have to look at what Delmon Young has gotten in arbitration
to see how good of a deal this is.
Mauer's making sure his guys are taken care of
Seriously—Before signing a long term ‘discounted’ contract Mauer is insuring the Twins have taken care of everybody else he likes on the team. Can’t blame him—I’m sure he wouldn’t want to be the $30 million dollar man while playing with a bunch of rookies.
I like this
spending $16.5 million on a young CF rather than $90 million on a five year contract for a declining CF who should be playing LF.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
+1
I love Torii, but wow did the Twins do the right thing letting him walk.
How did we already have him for 5 years
On Twinsgeek and AG’s twitter they didn’t understand this signing because the Twins already had him for the next 5 years. But doesn’t he already have 2 years of service time completed, meaning there’s one more year till arbitration time (4 years total)?
Nope
Won’t be a super 2 after this year, I don’t think. And anyway, you have to have 6 full years of service to become an FA, and he won’t after 4 more years; he’ll be at 5+.
It’s a pretty good deal for the Twins, I think, though committing to Span with all the OFs coming through the system is an interesting choice, especially since there’s no obvious power corner OF; most of the guys are more similar to Span.
by Eric in Madison on Mar 13, 2010 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
Really?
I could see either Morales or Hicks (or both) developing into very good corner outfield/power guys.
Well, Morales
Could. Hicks…I have dreams of Eric Davis. He’s probably the best defensive center fielder in the system right now (maybe including Span) from what I have heard.
Anyway, who knows what might happen? Still, if Revere pushes his way forward, you’ll have 2 pretty similar guys.
I like this deal, though.
by Eric in Madison on Mar 13, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
I think Span works well anywhere in the outfield
His bat plays a little better in CF, but he gives you plus defense in a corner if he moves over. And frankly, I’d have no problem with a speed-heavy, power-light outfield of Span, Revere, Hicks if that’s the way it developed. (though I’d obviously have no trouble letting Hicks develop into the full 5-tool package if that’s the way it turns out) The defense would be pretty sweet.
Plus
Who knows if any of the prospects work out. The Twins will be doing pretty well if 2 of the 4 of Hicks, Revere, Morales, and Benson get to the point that Span is. Span is one of the best lead off hitters in MLB and I think he’ll prove himself to be at least top 1/3 defensively in CF, he just needs the innings to prove it.
Besides, with that contract if those guys become stars too they can easily trade Span.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Bargain signing
Good job by the Twins. That option year could be a good deal also. Span has been a very good leadoff hitter, he might command Johnny Damon money.
When I saw the news, I assumed there was a typo somewhere
I don’t get to follow the Twins as much as I’d like to— the Mariners are my first and greatest love, and I live in the Northwest— but what I’ve gotten to see of Denard Span has left me very enamored with him. $16.5M for a half-decade of Span seems like a steal.
by groovewrangler on Mar 13, 2010 6:31 PM EST up reply actions
cost savings over going year to year in arbitration
if he averages 2 WAR : -1M
if he averages 3 WAR : 6M
if he averages 4 WAR : 13M
Basically the Twins are buying out his arb years as if he’s a league average player instead of one of the best young CF in the game.
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