Tsuyoshi Nishioka hasn't played a single game for the Twins yet, but already Minnesota is feeling like home to him.
"They're a lot like Lotte," Nishioka said Wednesday, upon his return from Minneapolis where he signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Twins over the weekend.
"The players and management are on very good speaking terms. There's good communication."
Nishioka, a vital part of the Chiba Lotte Marines' Japan Series-winning club, is expected to play on either side of second base for manager Ron Gardenhire and the Twins, who won the AL Central by six games over the Chicago White Sox.