MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Japanese batting champion Tsuyoshi Nishioka (soo-YOH-shee nee-SHEE-oh-kah) and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a $9 million, three-year contract that includes a club option for the 2014 season.
The Twins announced the agreement and the terms of the deal on Friday. They’ve scheduled a news conference for Saturday to introduce the 26-year-old Nishioka, who led the Pacific League with a .346 batting average last season.
The Twins submitted the highest bid to his team in Japan for negotiating rights to Nishioka, who can play second base or shortstop.
