Deal involving Span remains in discussion

OAKLAND, CALIF. - A potential deal that would send Twins center fielder Denard Span to the Washington Nationals is "no closer [to happening] than any other day," a major league official familiar with the trade discussions said in a text message Saturday night.

With the non-waiver trade deadline coming at 3 p.m. Sunday, the Nationals still hope to land Span, but no agreement had been reached, despite reports that the sides were close to a deal.

Twins General Manager Bill Smith declined comment.

According to various reports, the Twins have insisted on getting Washington closer Drew Storen for Span, while the Nationals have been offering setup man Tyler Clippard. The Twins also were reportedly targeting Nationals center field prospect Roger Bernadina and second base prospect Stephen Lombardozzi, the son of former Twins second baseman Steve Lombardozzi.

Span, who is on the disabled list rehabbing from a concussion, was not in Class AAA Rochester's lineup Saturday, but that was by his choice after taking an early morning flight from Louisville, Ky.

Span had played the previous three days, going 4-for-14. His last game with the Twins was June 6.

Ben Revere has been filling Span's place as the Twins center fielder and leadoff hitter, and the Twins have been mostly satisfied, even though Revere's on-base percentage entering Saturday was .298, compared to .361 for Span.

Gardenhire continued to hope Span would be activated from the DL in time for Tuesday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif. Asked how the outfield would look when Span returned, Gardenhire said, "Denard will be the center fielder, and we'll work around him."

Before Span went to Rochester for his rehab assignment, Gardenhire suggested he play a little left field and right field, to be sure he'd be comfortable moving to the corners in a pinch. According to insiders, Span balked at the idea, saying he'd move to a corner if necessary but felt he'd established himself as a center fielder.

Asked about that conversation in a telephone interview, Span said, "I really don't care to go there. I really don't."

Span said he was focused on finishing his rehab and rejoining the Twins.

"That's the plan, but I know there's been a lot of rumors going on," Span said.

But the Twins had interest in Storen before the Nationals selected him out of Stanford with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft.

Former Nationals GM Jim Bowden, in his ESPN.com blog, wrote, "Both sides of been working on this deal for quite some time, and it seems just a matter of time before the Nationals agree to put Storen in the deal."

FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal also Tweeted, "Trade with Span and Storen as centerpieces continues to look close."

Storen, 23, whose fastball averages 95 miles per hour, loaded the bases for the Nationals on Saturday night but escaped with his 26th save in a 3-0 victory over the Mets, lowering his ERA to 2.63. He is making $418,000 and won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season.