MINNEAPOLIS -- Denard Span hasn't forgotten the first time that Torii Hunter took him out to dinner a few years ago. It was the moment when Hunter became a mentor to Span.

For Hunter, it was a chance to carry on the torch of legendary Twins center fielder Kirby Puckett, who had taken Hunter under his wing. The only thing that Span had to promise Hunter was that in a few years, he had to repay the favor to a young player coming up behind him.

Last spring, Span made good on his promise to Hunter. Right after being sent down to Minor League camp in late March, Span made sure to find outfielder Ben Revere -- the Twins first-round pick from the 2007 First Year Player Draft -- and reached out to him.

It's a friendship that Span has continued to try to help grow. While Revere, 20, was in town this past weekend for TwinsFest and to pick up his Minor League Player of the Year Award at the Diamond Awards, Span took the young prospect to the local mall and showed him around town.

For Span, it was his turn to be the mentor. But he admitted that the role is still a little foreign to him.

"It's a little weird, since I still feel like the young guy around here," Span said with a laugh. "It seems like just last year that I was just like him."

In a way, Span isn't too far off in his assertion. It was just a year ago that he was still considered a prospect in the Twins organization -- a prospect with an uncertain future.

When Span arrived in Minnesota for TwinsFest last January, he was no longer considered to be the heir apparent to Hunter in center field -- the label he had carried for most of his professional career. Hunter had departed as a free agent earlier that offseason, leaving the center-field spot open, but the Twins were on the verge of acquiring a center fielder in a trade for ace Johan Santana.

And Span was left wondering where he might fit in the organization.

"At this time last year, I just didn't know where I stood," Span said. "I knew it wasn't good. I hadn't had an opportunity to prove myself. All I wanted was that opportunity."

What a difference a year can make. Following a rookie season in which he batted .294 with 70 runs scored in 93 games, Span is now regarded as one of the front-runners for a starting spot in the outfield.

The Twins will have four outfielders -- Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young and Span -- competing for three everyday spots. Manager Ron Gardenhire has already said that Span is one of the guys he feels should be playing every day in 2009. Where Span might be playing, though, is uncertain.

Span primarily played right field last year, while filling in for an injured Cuddyer. The expectation right now is that Cuddyer will be back at his post in right field for '09, leaving center field and left field as possibilities for Span.

"As long as I'm on the field and in the lineup, I'm OK with whatever position they give me," Span said. "I played left when I went to winter ball in Venezuela a couple years ago. If I have to play left, it's going to take a little getting used to moving around there with right-handed hitters turning on balls and also having to chase the ball in the gaps in left-center. But wherever Gardy wants me, I'll be there."

The Twins' depth in the outfield had other teams inquiring this offseason about potential trades. Span's name came up in discussions, but so far the message to other teams has been that the Twins aren't willing to give up the 24-year-old outfielder.

It's a far different position than the one Span found himself in just a year ago.

"My confidence level is definitely a lot higher than it was last year at this time," he said. "It's definitely a good feeling to know that they want me here and they believe in me."

A sign of just how much things have changed for Span came in the reception he received from the fans during TwinsFest.

"I remember the last couple years I was signing at the Minor League table and when it was time to get up and leave, nobody recognized me," Span said. "I walked around like they probably thought I was an employee who worked at the stadium. But this year I couldn't get from A to B without someone saying, 'That's Denard." It's really kind of unreal. It's definitely flattering to me."

Span has spoken openly about the emotional roller coaster he went through last offseason, when his status was uncertain. He used the anger and frustration he felt over his situation as motivation heading into Spring Training and even throughout the regular season.

While he hasn't forgotten how he felt last winter, Span said that he's found new ways to get himself motivated for the challenges that lie ahead.

"This year my motivation is to prove that I belong here and that last year wasn't a fluke," Span said. "Last year my anger was toward getting opportunities because I just wanted a chance. I'm ready for another chance this year. I'm still going to go into spring with the same focused mentality to earn a spot. But I'll just be a little bit more relaxed I guess. I'm looking forward to it."