The Orix Buffaloes announced that they met Tsuyoshi Nishioka today.  According to the, there meeting with Nishioka lasted about an hour and a half and that they were able to have good talk.

And the Hanshin Tigers announced that they will meet Nishioka on the 9th at a hotel in Osaka.  The Tigers do not think they will be able to agree on a deal in just one sitting.

Source: Sports Hochi 11/7/2012

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GM Katsuhiro Nakamura does not plan to use words to convince Nishioka to sign with the Tigers -- he thinks the playing environment and the fans are enough.

The Tigers are also said to be preparing a two-year deal worth more than what he was making with the Minnesota Twins (about 240M a year).  They are also thinking about guaranteeing him second base.  They will try to accommodate as many of Nishioka's needs as possible.

Source: Nikkan Sports 11/7/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka met with the Chiba Lotte Marines yesterday.  He also has plans to meet with the Orix Buffaloes and Hanshin Tigers.  Source: Nikkan Sports 11/6/2012

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Sanspo has posted parts of the Q&A from Nishioka's press conference on Monday:

What are your feelings right now?

Lotte still needs me and I could feel that.  I am very grateful.  This will be a very difficult decision because they are the team that helped me become the player I am.

Any changes to your feelings?

Yes.  To be needed by the team that helped establish you as a player, I think that team needs to be considered the most.  And there is really no reason to turn them down.

Will you listen to all offers?

The moment I decided to return, I felt I wanted to listen to all offers.  Regardless of whether I sign, I want to listen to all offers.  This kind of opportunity does not come often.  I also do not know which path is right and whether I succeed depends on me.

Is there are position you want to play?

The most important thing is whether a team needs me.  However, I have only played second and short so I think those two [positions].

Will you remain even-keeled until you meet with all interested teams?

I will stay level until I meet with all teams.  I will not make my decision based on money.

Source: Sanspo 11/6/2012

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Lotte may have offered Nishioka a two-year deal worth an estimated 400M yen.  The base salary is apparently 170M yen (no change since his last contact with Lotte) a year with the rest being performance bonuses.  Souce: Sports Hochi 11/6/2012

Sponichi thinks Lotte may have offered him a two-year deal worth an estimated 300M yen.  They also note that the Tigers may have offered a two-year deal worth more than 500M yen.  Source: Sponichi 11/6/2012

Nishioka was also apparently happy that Naoki Matsumoto, the former-scout that was in charge of him back when he drafted, attended the meeting.  Source: Sponichi 11/6/2012

Daily Sports has also posted the Q&A from his press conference, but it is a little long.  I do not have the time to translate it now, but may come back to it later.  Here are a few things that were mentioned: there is no set deadline for his decision, other than it will take place after he meets all teams that are interested in him and has had a chance to think; he does not appear to be thinking about going back to the US at this point; he has received offers from more than two teams; he has been back in Japan since October 19.

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The Hanshin Tigers are a little concerned Nishioka might back out.  To that end, they plan to hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss what else can be done to secure his signature.

The team could meet with Nishioka as early as the 9th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 11/6/2021, Daily Sports 11/6/2012

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The Orix Buffaloes will meet with Nishioka within the next few days as well.  Source: Nikkan Sports 11/6/2012

Daily Sports notes they are scheduled to meet on the 7th.  Source: Daily Sports 11/6/2012

Assistant team director Ryuzo Setoyama could also get involved in the negotiations.  Source: Sponichi 11/6/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka met the Chiba Lotte Marines at a hotel in Tokyo today.  The meeting, which included lunch, lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes.  Source: Nikkan Sports 11/5/2012

While much is not known about what was discussed, Lotte most likely presented Nishioka with an offer.  Source: Sanspo 11/5/2012

Some quotes...

Nishioka:

On getting an offer: "I am fortunate to feel needed by the team that helped establish me as a player."

On whether there was a change in his feelings before and after the meetings: "Something did change."

After admitting a number of teams were interested in him: "I am keeping a level-head.  Otherwise it would be inappropriate when I sit down with other teams.  I want to listen to all offers."

On what that deciding factor will be: "Any place I can feel satisfied about playing in.  This is not about the money."

Source: Daily Sports 11/5/2012

Lotte official Nobuhira Hayashi: "We put out our best.  I think we have a chance."

Lotte team development Naoki Matsumoto: "I am not sure what to think.  It is his choice and it would be nice if he selected us."

Source: Daily Sports 11/5/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka is scheduled to meet with the Chiba Lotte Marines on Monday.  Sports Hochi reports that while the Marines will most likely consider his requests on contract years, they will probably stay at around 170M yen per year.  Including signing bonuses and incentives, It is possible they could end up offering him a two-year deal worth a total of about 400M yen.

Lotte is also apparently prepared to give him back his old uniform number (seven).

Source: Sports Hochi 11/3/2012

The Hanshin Tigers could meet with Nishioka the following day.  Source: Sanspo 11/3/2012

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UPDATE @ 9:53pm - According to Daily Sports, the Tigers might meet Nishioka sometime around the 10th.

Said Tigers' GM Katsuhiro Nakamura, "We have not received any official contact from [Nishioka].  We are waiting in anticipation.  The ball is in his court and we are waiting. ... He could be waiting for the end of the Nippon Series.

Source: Daily Sports 11/3/2012

Sports Hochi reports that the Hanshin Tigers are currently set to meet Tsuyoshi Nishioka on November 5.  Nishioka was in the US working out, but recently returned to Japan.  He contacted the Tigers and set the date.  If negotiations go smoothly, Hanshin might end up having something to announce on the same day.

Source: Sports Hochi 11/2/2012

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UPDATE @ 9:16pm - New reports indicate that the Tigers plan to meet Nishioka some time early next week (the Sports Hochi report I linked to above no longer exists).  The Chiba Lotte Marines announced today that they will be meeting him on November 5.

Source: Sponichi 11/2/2012, Sports Hochi 11/2/2012, Daily Sports 11/2/2012

UPDATE @ 9:30pm - The Marines will most likely be represented by team president Iekuni Nakamura, director Nobuhira Hayashi, and head of team development Noaki Matsumoto.  Tsutomu Ito will not attend since he is busy with fall camp.  Source: Daily Sports 11/2/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka:

Hanshin Tigers GM Masahiro Nakamura on negotiations with Nishioka: "I am planning to look into a number of things before presenting the offer.  I am sure a player like [Nishioka] will have a list of conditions.  It may not be possible to come upon an agreement during the first meeting."  Source: Sanspo 10/15/2012

And according to Nikkan Sports, the Tigers may include a clause in the contract that guarantees second base -- they can not guarantee short because of Takashi Toritani and they feel no one in the organization was able to win the second base job this season.  Source: Nikkan Sports 10/15/2012

Kosuke Fukudome:

The Hanshin Tigers have not given up on Fukudome.

Said GM Katsuhiro Nakamura to reporters on Saturday, "Nothing has been decided.  I have not heard anything."

He continued, "We will probably start moving on foreign players sometime after the World Series.  This will probably take a while.  If we can get some sort of reply by the Winter Meetings, that would be good. ... We of course plan to keep in touch with his agent on a regular basis."

Source: Nikkan Sports 10/14/2012

The Tigers heard that Fukudome wants a single-digit uniform number and are in the process of getting one ready for him.

"We heard that [Fukudome] wants a single-digit uniform number and we would like to do what we can to accommodate him," said an unnamed team source.

The Tigers only have one single-digit uniform number (Kenji Jojima's number two) available and will most likely have to make some changes since they may also want to give Tsuyoshi Nishioka a single-digit number as well.

Source: Daily Sports 10/14/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka:

Nishioka posted an update to his blog on Saturday:

It has been about a month and a half since the season ended and I am in the middle of training in the US.  I plan on working out a little longer in the US.

Right now, I am taking care of my mind, body, and spirit as I train.  And I am trying to accept everything in order to make the best of the things I experienced the last two years.

The Climax Series has begun and I am envious of the players that are participating in it.

A number of teams have contacted me, but I have not been able to speak to them yet.  I am happy that teams have even a little interest in me.  I am grateful.

Moving on, with regards to the fan meetings I hold every year...

I really was not sure what to do, but I think I will hold one this year.  I take pride in having fans that do their best to support me in both good and bad times.

There are some fans that come to my fan meetings every year.  They come from all over the country, like Hokkaido, Osaka, and Fukuoka.  Some even come from as far as Taiwan.  There are many that have stuck with me for so long that they know my personality, what my weaknesses are.

I plan to do this even if there is only one person like this left.

I will announce details at a later date.

I am happy if you can continue watch me grow, both in good and bad ways.

I am grateful everyday!

Kosuke Fukudome -

The Hanshin Tigers do not have placed any cut-off periods for their negotiation with Fukudome.  However, they are also in a position where they can not move forward on foreign players until Fukudome decides what he wants to do.

Said GM Katsuhiro Nakamura, "There is one foreign player we like, but that is up in the air right now because if we can sign Fukudome, then we need to work out issues with other positions."

Source: Sanspo 10/12/2012

Nakamura on their offer to Fukudome: "We are thinking about increasing the incentives/bonuses, but it can be difficult gauging how high the base should be.  We will discuss it.  With the money holders."  Source: Nikkan Sports 10/12/2012

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Yokohama Bay Stars GM Shigeru Takada told reporters on Thursday that he did not think it would become a money game with Fukudome.  Source: Sanspo 10/12/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka -

The Hanshin Tigers are slated to meet Nishioka for their first round of negotiations after the Nippon Series ends.  Source: Sanspo 10/12/2012

If the Nippon Series ends in four games, the Tigers could meet with Nishioka as early as November 1.  Source: Sports Hochi Osaka 10/12/2012

The Tigers could be preparing a multi-year contract with a base two years.  Source: Nikkan Sports 10/12/2012

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Nishioka has apparently received offers from a number of different clubs.  Source: Daily Sports 10/12/2012

Nishioka is currently working out in the US and could return to Japan sometime before the end of the month.  Source: Sports Hochi 10/12/2012

Ryota Igarashi -

Hanshin Tigers GM Nakamura on Igarashi: "Things are just getting started.  I will be getting in tough with his agent to confirm some things.  Whether he wants to return to Japan.  There is no doubt he is player we want.  If he returns, I am sure others will be interested."  Source: Sanspo 10/12/2012

Kosuke Fukudome updates:

It appears the Hanshin Tigers are in fact interested in Fukudome.

GM Katsuhiro Nakamura admitted on Thursday that Fukudome's name was mentioned in talks with team president Nobuo Minami and team director Eiichi Takano.  Additionally, if the Tigers do sign him, they reportedly see him as their every day right fielder.  Source: Sanspo 10/5/2012, Sanspo 10/5/2012

Team owner Shinya Sakai was asked about Fukudome on Thursday and said, "I know nothing.  Ask the team.  I do not remember being asked about it."  Source: Sanspo 10/5/2012

Fukudome is just one of many options the teams is looking into for right.  They are also looking at domestic free agents, foreign players, and trades.  Source: Nikkan Sports 10/5/2012

The front office apparently decided to include Fukudome as an option at the request of Yutaka Wada.  Source: Sponichi 10/5/2012, Sports Hochi Osaka 10/5/2012

Daily Sports provides the following quote from Nakamura on right field: "We are not looking at specific names, just our need for a right fielder.  Whether that is Fukudome, a foreign player, a free agent, or someone in a trade...  We have a number of different options."

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Tsuyoshi Nishioka updates:

Hanshin Tigers GM Nakamura told reporters on Thursday that there were no new developments in their talks with Nishioka.  He also said they were still not sure when he was returning to Japan and that they would negotiate based on his schedule.  Source: Sanspo 10/5/2012

The Chiba Lotte Marines have not given up on Nishioka and plan to meet him at least once after he returns to Japan.  Source: Sponichi 10/5/2012, Daily Sports 10/5/2012

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