Twins Trade Denard Span to Nationals for Washington's #2 Prospect Alex Meyer

In the last few minutes, it's become official: the Twins have traded leadoff batter, center fielder, and all around good guy Denard Span to the Washington Nationals for the Nats' number two overall prospect (according to Washington's MLB.com page).

OFFICIAL: #MNTwins acquire top pitching prospect RHP Alex Meyer from Nationals for OF Denard Span.

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) November 29, 2012

Meyer, the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Nationals, is a power pitcher who has the potential to be a front-line starter who can strike hitters out. According to his prospect page:

Very tall and lanky, Meyer still has plenty of room to add weight and strength to his 6-foot-9 frame. He has two plus pitches, a fastball up to 97 mph and a power slider (86-88 mph). He also added a changeup, and although it’s not as good as the two plus pitches, it has the chance to be an average pitch. Meyer struggled with command issues early in college but got ahead of hitters more consistently as a junior, and his walk rate in his first pro season was just slightly above three per nine innings. He put up good numbers with Class A Hagerstown and shortly after pitching in the Futures Game earned a promotion to High A Potomac, where he was even better.

For Minnesota, this is a move that definitively opens up center field for Ben Revere. Defensively we know that there will be no gap to cross in terms of making up the range of Span. The primary concern will be whether Revere's contact rate, speed, and batting average can keep his on-base percentage high enough to where he can be a legitimate leadoff hitter. Because if Revere isn't going to be that guy, there aren't a great deal of options unless the Twins break the mold and tab Joe Mauer for the job.

What are your thoughts on what is unequivocally the biggest trade the Twins have pulled off for a prospect in recent history?