"Denard Span's TV was tuned to MLB Network the other night, and the topic was the American League Central.

"All they were talking about was Detroit and every other team in the division; they didn't even mention the Minnesota Twins," Span said Friday. "I thought we changed divisions."

Coming off a 99-loss season, the Twins have been easy to forget nationally, but Span said he believes improved health could go a long way toward restoring the team's identity.

When listing the team's biggest question marks, Span ranks somewhere in the top three, along with Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. None played more than 82 games last year. But just like the M&M Boys, Span arrived at TwinsFest with positive news about his health.

"It's probably the best I've felt in two years," Span said. "I don't want to jinx myself because I won't know until I get down there in spring training and get on the field for five or six hours. But I can honestly say it's been a long but good offseason."

Definitely long. Span spent so much time sitting out because of a concussion and migraine issues last year, it's almost like his offseason began last June.

He was batting .300 on June 3, when he tried legging out an inside-the-park home run in Kansas City and suffered a concussion after sliding into burly catcher Brayan Pena. After that, Span played in just 15 of the team's final 106 games, and his batting average plunged to .264 and his on-base percentage fell to .328.

"I spent most of the year last year asking God, 'Why now?' " Span said. "I felt like I was playing at a great level last year, even though we were struggling. I feel like the answer I got from him was, 'Everything happens for a reason.' Whatever the plan he has, it was not meant for me to play [a whole season] last year.""