SI.com’s Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that the Red Sox and Twins have serious interest in 26-year-old Japanese infielder and MLB free agent Tsuyoshi Nishioka. And now other teams are looking to join the fray.
From Patrick Newman’s NPB Tracker comes a couple of updates on the highly coveted Nishioka:
The Orioles fully intend to at least make a bid. The Mariners and Padres are also strongly considering making offers.
The Diamondbacks are out, worried that the price will be too high. The Giants aren’t going to send in a proposal either.
Nishioka won the batting title in Nippon Professional Baseball this past year and is hoping to cash in with a move state-side. Most MLB clubs view him as a second baseman rather than a shortstop, but that’s all case-by-case depending on individual needs.
Nishioka has expressed a desire to play on the West Coast, but he’ll probably chase the largest and most lucrative contract in the end.