Good to see the Twins out in front on this one. Also glad to see the bid wasn't that high. I can't recall a Japanese born player ever playing for the Twins so this is also huge for the franchise. I hope the Twins can work this out and get a deal done but I want to see what this kid is all about. Twins are saying they see him as their second baseman so Hardy still might be in the fold.Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Twins have won exclusive negotiating rights on infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
The Twins now have 30 days to work out a deal with the 26-year-old infielder. He played shortstop in Japan and could allow Minnesota to non-tender J.J. Hardy, who made $5.1 million in 2010 and will be seeking a raise. Nishioka batted .346 and won the Nippon Professional Baseball batting title in 2010. He's likely to score a long-term contract from the Twins, who paid about $5.3 million to lure him away from the Chiba Lotte Marines.