The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to terms with free agent outfielder Nate McLouth, according to Ken Rosenthal. The deal is for one year, and is pending the results of a physical. We heard earlier today that they were getting close to a deal.
As we know, the Pirates traded McLouth in 2009, getting Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke, and Gorkys Hernandez in return. After going to Atlanta, McLouth’s numbers took a dive. He hit for a .229/.335/.364 line in 848 at-bats in the two and a half years he was with the Braves.
McLouth is a strong bench option at this point, and a good backup plan if something happens with Jose Tabata or Alex Presley. If this move somehow results in Alex Presley being bumped from the lineup, then it is the wrong move to make, as McLouth hasn’t done anything the last three years to earn that role.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY 12:21 PM: The deal is a major league deal and worth $1.75 M, per Rob Biertempfel. A roster spot will have to be cleared for McLouth. The signing has not been made official yet, so no word on who that player will be.
