The Twins on Monday spoke to Rick Thurman of the Beverly Hills Sports Council about the player he represents, Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
``We've had some conversations," Twins GM Bill Smith said. ``Until we get him signed, The less said the better."
Later, when asked if he planned to speak to Thurman again this week, Smith said: ``We'll let you know - but not when we're going to meet. The less said the better."
Update: The Twins and Thurman exchanged several contract offers at various lengths on Monday. Indications are that a three-year deal is on the table for anywhere from $3-5 million a year.
Smith is really a nice guy but can be tough to get basic information from about certain player moves. I will point out that Smith did come through with with a few tidbits during his media huddle on Monday.
>>Nishioka could still play shortstop or second base, but that will be up to manager Ron Gardenhire to decide. One Japanese reporter here told me that a couple problems facing Japanese shortstops in coming here is that they play on many artificial fields and that they aren't taught the backhand much. That second problem makes it tough for them to throw out runners from the hole.
Smith says that both Nishioka and his wife do not speak any English. A Twins official who shall remain nameless told me recently that his wife did speak English. So I got some bad information.
Smith still suggests that the club could keep Nishioka, J.J. Hardy and Alexi Casilla in 2011. That would surprise me because they could move Hardy for help elsewhere.
