"Denard Span says he's willing to move to right field if it will help the Twins put a rotten season behind them. Manager Ron Gardenhire says that shouldn't be necessary.

"He's going to lead off and be my center fielder. That's my expectations," Gardenhire said Friday.

Span played only 70 games last season, mostly because of a concussion suffered during a home plate collision June 3 at Kansas City. He returned Aug. 2 but played only nine games before being pulled because of vestibular migraines related to the concussion. Span, who will turn 28 next month, said Friday he feels better than he has in two years and anticipates being ready for spring training.

But there has been speculation Span might have to move to right field, even though Gardenhire and general manager Terry Ryan vow he won't. While Span was out, rookie Ben Revere took his place in center and played terrific defense, making one of the plays of the year when he robbed Vladimir Guerrero of extra bases when he made an over-the-shoulder catch, a la Willie Mays, while climbing the center-field wall.

Revere has terrific range but a below-average arm, making him, essentially, unfit for right field. Third outfielder Josh Willingham, signed to replace free-agent evacuee Michael Cuddyer, is penciled in for right field, even though he has played only 35 of his 799 major league games there. "