The Twins just announced that Nishioka requested, and was granted, his unconditional release.  In a classy move on his part, he accepted full responsibility for his poor performance and not only waived his 2013 salary, but voluntarily forfeited his $250,000.00 buy out.  So not only is he gone, but the Twins owe him absolutely nothing for next year.

Never really like the guy as a player but I always had a respect for him. It's a rare sight in pro sports today for a player to accept his failures and waive his right to more money. Best of luck to him in other baseball attempts.

TwinsFaninVT wrote: The Twins just announced that Nishioka requested, and was granted, his unconditional release.  In a classy move on his part, he accepted full responsibility for his poor performance and not only waived his 2013 salary, but voluntarily forfeited his $250,000.00 buy out.  So not only is he gone, but the Twins owe him absolutely nothing for next year.

Best result possible for the organization and for Nishioka.  I wish him the best of luck and hopefully, a change of scenery can revitalize a languishing career in baseball on these shores...

Goodbye and Good Luck Nishi.

Truly an astounding move in todays day and age of total greed. I'm sure he will go back to Japan.
As the only one here who actually saw him regularly play day to day this season, I can tell you he was one of the best Red Wings over the second half. He was one of the fan favorites; an extremely popular teammate; and a hard worker. Over the last 30 days, he even started to find his 'gap' power. As a AAA player, I had no quarrel with him at all.

However that, I believe, was his ceiling in North America. AAA. At the major league level he was clearly overmatched and he probably realized that more than anyone.

The guy was totally honorable in a pro sports environment where honor has become a lost art. I have nothing but total respect for the guy. I don't think there are 2 players in pro sport today who would have done the same thing.

Major props. Now the Twins have to use that extra bounty and get themselves some quality pitchers for 2013.

Agreed.  It appears there are no feelings of entitlement in Japan.  We could learn a lot from that culture.  Honor first.  We used to  be like that.  We need to return to those values.

I think Gil Meche walked away from more money and saved the Royals a boatload, knowing he couldn't provide their organization any value any more...  class act, just like Nishioka.

brian450 wrote: I think Gil Meche walked away from more money and saved the Royals a boatload, knowing he couldn't provide their organization any value any more...  class act, just like Nishioka.

I forgot about him. Walked away from the final year of his contract ($12M)

solomon69 wrote:

brian450 wrote: I think Gil Meche walked away from more money and saved the Royals a boatload, knowing he couldn't provide their organization any value any more...  class act, just like Nishioka.

I forgot about him. Walked away from the final year of his contract ($12M)

Thats why I said I didn't think there were TWO players!!