Nats exercise 2015 option on Span, decline options on LaRoche and Soriano

The Nationals have exercised their $9 million club option on center fielder Denard Span for the 2015 season, Span confirmed this afternoon in a text message.

"Very excited about returning," Span said.

The Nationals also announced that they have declined to exercise the options on first baseman Adam LaRoche and right-hander Rafael Soriano. Both will become free agents.

The decision to pick up Span's option was an easy one for the Nats after the 30-year-old outfielder hit .302/.355/.416 during a monster 2014 campaign.

"We knew when we acquired Denard from the Minnesota Twins two years ago what type of player we were getting," said Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in a statement issued by the team. "And he's done nothing but bear that out the last two seasons.

"Denard was arguably our most consistent offensive player in 2014, keying so much of our offensive production, and his defense in center field is Gold Glove-caliber on a nightly basis. We're excited to keep him in the fold for the 2015 season."

Span set a team record with 184 hits, tied for the most in the majors, scored 94 runs and had a career-high 31 stolen bases in 38 chances. He's also a Gold Glove finalist for the second consecutive year.

Span will make a significant raise over the $6.5 million he made in 2014, the last year of the five-year, $16.5 million deal he signed with the Twins in 2010.

LaRoche, who hit .259/.362/.455 with 26 home runs and 92 RBIs, will receive a $2 million buyout instead of the Nats picking up their part of a $15 million mutual option. Soriano, who went 4-1 with a 3.19 ERA and 32 saves in 39 chances before losing his closer's job in September, had a $14 million club option.

The Washington Post was the first to report that Span's option had been picked up for 2015.