Tsuyoshi Nishioka was released by the Twins last week after agreeing to forfeit the remaining $3.25 million on his contract and now Sankei Sports in Japan reports that he’s already “agreed in principle” to a deal with the Hanshin Tigers.
Nishioka was a massive flop for the Twins, hitting .215 with zero power and terrible defense at both shortstop and second base, but in 2010 he was a .346-hitting, Gold Glove-winning star in Japan and is still just 28 years old.
No word yet on how much Nishioka’s deal in Japan would be worth, but it won’t be surprising if he recoups that $3.25 million and then some in returning home. He played eight seasons for the Chiba Lotte Marines before signing a three-year, $9.25 million contract with Minnesota that also required the Twins spending another $5.3 million on his negotiating rights.