Updates on Tsuyoshi Nishioka:

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Daily Sports spoke to Nishioka on Wednesday and was provided the following quotes:

"Nothing has been decided at this point in time."

"I have not decided anything.  I have not received any updates from my agent."

"Really, nothing has been decided."

"I am thankful that a team from where I was brought up is interested in me, despite how things currently are."

"I just really want to play baseball."

"If there is a team that is interested in someone like me...  There is nothing better for a player than being on a team that needs him."

"If there is a team that is interested in someone like me, I wish to hear what they have to say."

"I just want to play ball."

Source: Daily Sports 10/4/2012

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Hanshin Tigers' GM Katsuhiro Nakamura on where negotiations currently stand, via Sanspo:

"I have heard nothing [about being close to a deal with Nishioka]. ... We are still in the process of getting in touch.  We do not even know when he is coming back to Japan.  I have nothing to say.  The ball is in their court."

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Updates on Kosuke Fukudome:

According to Sanspo, the Tigers could make their final decision on Fukudome sometime before the end of the week.  An unnamed team official is quoted as saying:

"We are looking to get younger next year.  If Fukudome joins the team, younger players will not get a chance.  It will also changes our plans for foreign players.  We need to internally discuss why the team needs Fukudome."

As for other teams that might be interested in the thirty-five-year-old outfielder, Yokohama, Rakuten, and Chunichi are mentioned.  Of the three, Chunichi seems to be in the lead for the following reasons: Fukudome does not like Yokohama, but pitching coach Yui Tomori might be able to sway his decision; Rakuten failed with Akinori Iwamura and may not want to risk another; Chunichi might offer a deal worth 100M yen plus incentives.

Source: Sanspo 10/4/2012