Twins sign OF Denard Span to 5-year deal

MINNEAPOLIS, March 13 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Twins have signed outfielder Denard Span to a five-year, $16.5 million contract, the team said Saturday.

Team officials said the deal also includes a $9 million club option for the 2015 season.

Span, 26, last year emerged as a dependable lead-off hitter for the Twins, batting .311 in his first full major-league season, good enough to put him in the American League's Top 10. The speedy Span's 10 triples also was tied for first in the league.

He stole 23 bases, scored 97 runs, collected 16 doubles, batted in 68 runs and socked eight homers over 145 games. He was third-best in the majors with 40 infield hits.

The Twins took Span as the 20th overall pick in the 2002 draft. He sports a .305 average in 238 career games with 32 doubles, 17 triples, 14 home runs, 115 RBI and a .390 on-base percentage.