Injuries derailed Span’s 2015 season, and was one of the Nationals’ many key losses. He had core muscle surgery December before the season, needed another such surgery in March and then went under the knife for his hip in August. He played in only 61 games, hitting .301 with five home runs and a .365 on-base percentage.

Because of the injuries, the Nationals didn’t offer Span a $15.8 million qualifying offer, which, before the season, they had hoped they eventually would. If they had, Span would have seriously considered accepting because it presented a chance to re-establish his value once healthy. Without the draft pick compensation hanging over his head, Span’s market wasn’t limited.

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“I can’t say I’m surprised [that the qualifying offer wasn’t extended],” Span said. “I felt like it coulda went either way. You coulda made an argument for why it made sense and why it didn’t make sense. I feel like Washington did what they thought was best for them financially and business-wise. I feel like them not giving it to me worked in my favor.”

Span said his agent, Scott Boras, and the Nationals talked some this winter about him. “They had a level of interest in bringing me back and I don’t think it was high interest or if I was a priority,” Span said. Some teams wanted Span for one year but the Giants liked him enough to offer three years plus a $12 million option for a fourth year. The decision to say yes, Span said, was simple.

“Maybe the only difficult thing was having to switch from coast to coast,” he said. “I’m an East Coast guy. Other than that, it was an easy decision to come to a winning organization. I’m at the point of my career that I want to win a ring. That’s most important. And just coming to a place you’re wanted. I felt the same way when I got traded to Washington. I felt like they really wanted me and had been trying to trade for me for a couple years. And to come here, and this team really wanted me, and made an effort to show me that.”

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Span wanted to stay in Washington before. He grew as a player in Washington, and was admired by teammates for his demeanor, defense and on-base skills. He hit .302 in 2014 and set the Nationals single-season record for hits with 184. He said he and his former agent, Joe Urbon, approached the Nationals to gauge interest in a potential extension in 2014 but the team wasn’t interested.

“I love Washington,” Span said. “I felt like that was the right place for me at the right time and where I was at in my career. I think that organization brought a side out of me that I needed, as far as playing loose and allowing me to be aggressive on the bases and on the field. I’m going to miss a lot of faces, a lot of guys over there. I already miss the fans and gonna miss the city. I enjoyed my time. A great three years. It was kinda bittersweet leaving there.”