4:41pm: The Pirates are closing in on a one-year deal with McLouth, says MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. She adds that the agreement isn't expected to be finalized until Wednesday.
4:14pm: The Pirates are moving closer to deals with Wilson Betemit and Nate McLouth, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
We heard yesterday about Pittsburgh's interest in a reunion with McLouth, who hit .228/.344/.333 in 321 appearances with the Braves this season. Betemit, meanwhile, did not receive an arbitration offer from the Tigers and hit the free agent market coming off a season in which he posted a .795 OPS in 359 plate appearances in Detroit and Kansas City.
There’s sure to be lots of competition for McOut’s services. What a bum.
Waste of money – save it for the draft
we cant save the money for the draft bc of the new cap on draft spending, further putting the Pirates in a hole
Can’t say that anymore. McLouth signing is odd though, better be very cheap.
Mclouth SUCKS
They can combine for a whopping 1.3 WAR or so.
I think it’s closer to 0.8 WAR
woot.
Nate Mclouth could bounce back in Pittsburgh. He has a good history of hitting here. Betemit improves our bench. Like these moves if they happen.
HA!!!! the Pirates are bringing back McLouth….and the Losers stay Losing!
Yep, you sure did prove it.
Wow, I guess you got me there guy.
To play LF with Jones at 1B.
I truly hope Nate can turn his career back around, I know as a brave fan myself, we grew tired of the failures. In reality however, its not like the man was not trying to correct what was going on. Baseball is a cruel game where a hill of beans can turn into a mountain fairly quickly and you become your worst enemy and hold you back from achieving what you are capable of.
With that stated I hope Nate gets a contract somewhere and can produce for his new team, I was a fan of him from day one–as frustrating as it was.
I totally agree. Even when he was struggling he was a professional. I wish nothing but the best for the guy.
Betemit must be the contingency plan for when/if Pedro struggles/gets hurt. This is looking more and more like a 90+ loss team every day.
I like the Betemit signing a lot, someone who can play 3B when Alvarez is struggling and help out at other positions. Not so sure about McLouth though. He hit VERY well here and was a fan favorite, so while it may be a nice story, I can’t help but feel he may be done. His numbers last year would be acceptable for a 4th outfielder but not a starter.
MLB should copy the English Premier League and demote non-competitive teams. The Pirates would win the AA championship every year until they send their talents to AAA.
Yeah, after the 1932 Red Sox went 43-111, their 13th consecutive losing season, they should have been relegated too :facepalm:
OH BOY! =B
Supposedly Pirates are close on a 1 year deal with McLouth. Oh boy!
Pirates’ prayers have been answered!
mclouth deal is CLEARLY for a outfield bench spot with presley, cutch, tabata already penciled in for the outfield spots come opening day. so everyone stop going crazy that this is for a starting job. and with gorkys hernandez most likely getting a shot at making the opening day roster. since right now garrett jones is the first baseman, the need someone to come off the bench when hurdle makes all of his double switches. remember how often xavier paul came in as a defensive replacement or as a pinch hitter? thats what mclouth will be used for since paul is gone. REMEMBER, mclouth won a gold glove with the pirates in 2008
No they need someone to play 1B so Jones can come off the bench.
Gaby Sanchez or Logan Morrison
Sanchez could definitely make sense, especially if Miami signs Pujols. It just depends on what Pitt would have to give up to get him.
McRagArm has the weakest arm in CF in MLB. He didn’t even try to throw people out in ATL. Good luck as a defensive sub. He has no arm, med speed and no bat.
McLouth was good in Pittsburgh, maybe just maybe he can turn it around again..players don’t usually become that instantly crappy like he did in ATL. As long as its dirt cheap I don’t really see a problem with this, its only for a year
Assuming the deals are cheap, both are solid signings, especially Betemit.
Really like Betemit for this team. Nice to have a legit MLB bat to play 3b or come off the bench. McLouth bleh but if hes cheap cant hurt as a 4th or 5th OF
McLouth won’t repeat his 2008 season, but he should be an ok fourth outfielder. And I love the Betemit signing. He’s a decent player and will provide good insurance at third base in case Pedro hits .191 with 4 home runs again.
I take it from some of the comments above that if a particular signing does not instantly make the pirates a pennant contender, it is a waste of money, no matter how much money it actually turns out to be. so…the pirates, unlike other teams, aren’t allowed to have a bench?
I wouldn’t go that far. But considering McLouth’s performance the last two years, I could pick any stat and find a dozen outfielders who would rank ahead of McLouth for that bench option.
And if it’s a major league deal, then he has to be added to the 40-man roster… not the best of timing given the upcoming non-tender deadline and Rule 5 draft. If someone like Garrett Jones gets non-tendered as a result of this signing, then it’s even worse.
I wouldn’t go that far. But considering McLouth’s performance the last two years, I could pick any stat and find a dozen outfielders who would rank ahead of McLouth for that bench option.
And if it’s a major league deal, then he has to be added to the 40-man roster… not the best of timing given the upcoming non-tender deadline and Rule 5 draft. If someone like Garrett Jones gets non-tendered as a result of this signing, then it’s even worse.
Betemit is a good signing, McLouth decent bench move, but just pisses me off those people that bitched about trading him a couple years ago now all don’t want him around, I’m sure N.H will take a hit for this too.
Betemit? Really?