185 replies to this topic

[SammyBirdland]

Roch Kubatko ‏@masnRoch

‪#orioles‬ have signed OF Nate McLouth to a minor league deal and he will report to Triple-A Norfolk

I was hoping we'd take a shot on him. He's been serviceable in the past.

[Nuclear Dish]

I don't know whether he has anything left in his tank, but if he does, it's a good, low-risk signing. It's a minor league deal, so let's see if he can benefit from a new start and a new lease on life.

[DJ MC]

I think that this is a great idea three years ago. He's been a negative rWAR player for three straight seasons, and he's a terrible outfielder (at least in center, he seems better in much more-limited time in the corners).

I have no problem with him in Norfolk, just like I have no problem with Tejada in Norfolk, or Hall in Norfolk, or some of the pitchers as well. I just hope the Orioles don't think a couple hot weeks in Triple-A will balance out a trio of awful seasons in Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

[Slappy]

There are no bad minor league contracts!

I'm surprised McLouth was let go. He's got ability - the guy was a .800 OPS hitter in 2007-09, he even got MVP votes in '08! Always had an above average walk rate, 10% for his career and it was nearly 14% last year. It's his power that has disappeared. After slugging in the high .400's for most of his early career, he dipped to .322 in 2010 and never recovered. He has a probably undeserved good reputation in CF, but would probably make a very good defensive corner outfielder. Used to have speed, 20-25 SB. And he is only 30, not an old guy really.

It's another good pickup from DD. Gives us a bit more usable depth in AAA. Fits his OBP profile. Wish he would make some more meaningful moves, but I'll take it.

[RichardZ]

McLouth is toast and has been for a couple of years.

[Nuclear Dish]

McLouth is toast and has been for a couple of years.

But we need OF depth, and it's a minor league deal. So why not?

[RichardZ]

McLouth is toast and has been for a couple of years.

But we need OF depth, and it's a minor league deal. So why not?

Nothing to lose but it doesn't change the fact that he's toast and hasn't been any good in years. I bet there are plenty of AAAA guys, including Lew Ford, who can contribute more to a big league team at this point of his career.

[Mike B]

McLouth is toast and has been for a couple of years.

But we need OF depth, and it's a minor league deal. So why not?

Exactly right. We are running out of outfielders, that is why Lew Ford, Steve Pearce and now Mclouth are being added. Minor League contract, not sure what harm taking a look does.

[Mike B]

But we need OF depth, and it's a minor league deal. So why not?

Nothing to lose but it doesn't change the fact that he's toast and hasn't been any good in years. I bet there are plenty of AAAA guys, including Lew Ford, who can contribute more to a big league team at this point of his career.

Not to be contrary but Ford came out of the Independent leagues while Mclouth who is only 30 has been doing his struggling in the big leagues. Just saying Ford who I think has been out of the majors for 5 years may have been competing at a lower level. Guys who have looked like toast have returned to form before.

[BSLChrisStoner]

6/8 (as of 8th inning): 1 for 3, hr, 3 rbi

[Greg Pappas]

http://www.milb.com/... ... pid=434661

Former All-Star and Gold Glover- Nate McLouth, has been hot in AAA Norfolk, hitting .325/.413/.775/1.188 with 5 HR's and 11 RBI over his last 10 games. Probably just a hot streak, but one never knows.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Good to see. You never know, some guys just have weird, volatile careers. Maybe he's figured some things out and can contribute at some point this season. I feel like X would probably be next man up for an OF spot, and even Hoes is knocking on the door, but McClouth could prove to be nice depth in any event.

[Tucker Blair]

His swing is just too elongated and uppercutty to play in the MLB anymore. Just my personal take. He's going to rip guys throwing 88-91 but just will pop up anything faster.

[BSLChrisStoner]

With the O's, McLouth is 8 for 24, 3 doubles, 1 rbi, 3 bb's, 3 k's, and 2 steals.

Is providing some nice production, and figures to continue to play against RHP (.791 career OPS against). Will be interesting to see how he finishes.

[Adam Wolff]

Been a great offensive boost. The way he and Betemit hit RHP makes me feel much better about the second half of the lineup.

[BSLChrisStoner]

When the O's added McLouth, I did not give his signing a lot of thought. My basic feeling was that I knew he had past success, had really struggled over the past couple of years, and was the perfect no-risk depth to add to Norfolk. Basically thinking maybe he could help for a couple of games if needed in a call-up.

It's not like McLouth is currently lighting the world on fire with the O's (.683 OPS, 48 ab's), but I'm wondering if there is more still there. He is still youngish (turns 31 in October). He clearly can still run.

His 2008 season (.853 OPS, 597 ab's, 76 xbh's) was so good, it is fun to dream about him again finding that form. His '09 season (split with Pittsburgh and Atlanta) was productive as well.

His 2010, '11, and start of '12 seasons with Pittsburgh were all ugly. Of course he had injury concerns the previous couple of years.

It's interesting seeing Showalter use him as the 3 hitter. Nate provided a lift yesterday. Certainly would be nice if he could get hot down the stretch.

[Mike B]

Baseball is a game that demands a player must have confidence. I watched the post game yesterday and got the feeling Mclouth is still searching for the swagger that made him an All Star. He seemed thrilled to have contributed yesterday. He also seems to be happy to be part of this team. He is still fairly young and hopefully he will play back to form. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield. His speed and defense give us a real strong defensive outfield.

[Adam Wolff]

This is part of why I was glad they called him up and we were rid of Chavez. To me, there is just a much greater chance of McLouth being worthy of starting vs that same chance with Chavez. Nate hasn't been excellent at the plate, but he's been good enough, including a few big hits, has speed on the base paths, and plays a solid LF. I've been very pleased with what he's contributed since his arrival.

[RShack]

I have 2 questions about this guy, and I can't find the answer to either one...

1. How tall is (isn't?) he? He's listed as 5'`11', but that's ridiculous. If he's 5'11", then all the home plate umps suddenly are 6'8" whenever he comes up. Looks to me like he's 5'8" if he's lucky. Anybody notice him standing next to somebody else who we know more about?

2. What the hell happened to him before? He came out of nowhere to be a AS GG CF... and then he just disappeared. I've read stuff about "nagging injuries" but nobody ever says what that means. So, was he just a flash-in-the-pan who played way over his head for a year, or was he a good CF'er who got multi-year hurt? Anybody know?

[BSLChrisStoner]

I have 2 questions about this guy, and I can't find the answer to either one...

1. How tall is (isn't?) he? He's listed as 5'`11', but that's ridiculous. If he's 5'11", then all the home plate umps suddenly are 6'8" whenever he comes up. Looks to me like he's 5'8" if he's lucky. Anybody notice him standing next to somebody else who we know more about?

2. What the hell happened to him before? He came out of nowhere to be a AS GG CF... and then he just disappeared. I've read stuff about "nagging injuries" but nobody ever says what that means. So, was he just a flash-in-the-pan who played way over his head for a year, or was he a good CF'er who got multi-year hurt? Anybody know?

According to 'Wiki', one of his 'injuries' was suffering from concussion symptoms during several weeks of 2010. In '11, he had discomfort in his left oblique. Later he placed on the DL with a lower abdominal strain, later revealed as a sports hernia.