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Washington Nationals: Top 3 Players Traded For In November, Ranked

By Max Rayman

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Daniel Hudson #44 and Yan Gomes #10 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Daniel Hudson #44 and Yan Gomes #10 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Denard Span
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 07: Denard Span #2 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on June 7, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /

Denard Span

Traded to Washington: November 29, 2012

Entering the 2012 off-season, the Nationals were coming off a devastating Game Five loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. Despite the loss, Washington had made the playoffs for the first time since moving to D.C. The future was bright and it was time to build on their success. Mike Rizzo made a splash by acquiring the speedy center fielder Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins. Span immediately took over as the leadoff hitter for Washington and quickly made his presence known.

In three seasons with the team, he hit .292, with 14 homers, 106 RBIs, an OPS of .749, and a 111 wRC+. Span also added 62 stolen bases and was a plus defender, posting two DRS, with 15 outfield assists. Span was able to add pressure from the leadoff spot thanks to his bat and speed on the basepaths. He added an extra layer to the offense that was previously missing.

Span’s peak with Washington came in 2014 when he finished 19th in MVP voting. On the season, he hit .302, with five homers, 37 RBIs, and an OPS of .771. He added 31 stolen bases in 39 attempts, helping Washington win the NL East for the first time since 2012.

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After the Nationals had a disappointing 2015 season which culminated with the team missing the playoffs, Span left in free agency. While his tenure with the team was short, he left a mark in D.C.

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