Span retired due to low contract offers: 'I’m a man of principles'

Veteran outfielder Denard Span has retired from Major League Baseball.

The 36-year-old said he made the decision when contract offers came in lower than Span figured he's worth, according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.

"I’m a man of principles, and when those principles aren’t met, I can’t go along with it,” Span said. "… I honestly recognize that I’m not the player that I was when I was in D.C. or when I was in Minnesota. But, I still know that I have value.

"I’m not a center fielder or premier player anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help a ball club win a championship or win games. I’m not the $12-million player anymore, but from what I did (in 2018), that doesn’t tell me I’m worth $1 million or worth $1.5 million or worth league minimum. I got an offer for league minimum. It was just unreal."

Span last played in the majors in 2018, splitting his time between the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners. He hit .261/.341/.419 with 11 home runs, 22 doubles, and nine stolen bases in 137 games. While that production didn't match his peak - Span slashed .287/.352/.395 from 2008 to 2015 with the Twins and Nationals - he was still worth 1.5 wins above replacement.

“I just couldn’t see myself at this point in my career giving in or compromising myself - especially where I’m at in my life, being a husband and a father," Span added. "It’s already hard enough to be away from my family, and now they want me to play for less than what I humbly feel I deserve. I’m not saying I’m worth $10 million. I’m saying I’m worth more than what they offered me.”

Span played 11 MLB seasons, taking the field for five teams. Though he was never an All-Star, Span finished sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2008, and 19th in NL MVP balloting in 2014 after leading the senior circuit with 184 hits.