Nate McLouth looks set to rejoin Baltimore Orioles in 2013 - MLB Update
Nate McLouth may be heading back to the Baltimore Orioles in the 2013 season. McLouth is currently a free agent and was part of the Orioles for the latter part of 2012 season. He also played in the post-season for the Orioles.
The Orioles had recently showed interest in right-handed hitter Jonny Gomes. He, however, has been signed by Boston Red Sox and the Orioles no longer have that option available. It was expected that Gomes would play in left field and would also assume the
role of designated hitter in some games.
A deal with the Orioles for Gomes may have been worked out but the fact that the O’s wanted to offer him a single year deal may have been the factor that prevented it from materialising. He eventually landed a two year deal worth $10 million with the Boston
Red Sox.
This event could mean that Orioles will have a renewed interest in Nate McLouth as the team wants to reinforce left field. Nate produced some good batting numbers with the ball club this year.
In the 55 games he was a part of the team, he hit with a batting average of .268 and a .342 on-base percentage. The left-handed hitter also hit 35 runs, 18 RBI’s and seven home-runs. His numbers were significantly better than his career numbers. He had a
.318 batting average in the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees.
He is considered to be better defensively in comparison with Jonny Gomes. He mainly played as a left fielder for the Orioles and posted a .989 fielding average with a single error committed and having 91 putouts and a lone assist in 93 total chances. He
has a .994 career fielding average in left field.
Orioles’ executive vice president Dan Duquette had earlier acknowledged that the team was in contact with Nate but did not say anything specific if a signing was on card or not. "We're just reaching out to a number of free agents and he is one of them,"
Duquette said.
The Baltimore ball club will also be looking to confirm their third base coach. Current coach DeMarlo Hale has interviewed the Toronto Blue Jays as a bench coach. DeMarlo’s contract expired in late October and is free to sign with any team. There is a possibility
that the Orioles may outbid any offer that is made to Hale. All five other coaches from 2012 will be continuing their duties with the club under Buck Showalter.
It will be interesting to see if Orioles sign Nate McLouth for the upcoming season. For the moment, Nate appears to be an overwhelming favourite to get back with the Orioles in left field.
Tags: