TT: Is Nate McLouth a nugget?

[Tony-OH]

http://www.orioleshangout.com/blog/t...louth-a-nugget

[Barnaby Graves]

Gotta love the skillset. Walks + speed? Yes please.

But man, he absolutely disappeared for years. He'll get his share of doubles but so will Reimold and Reimold has some pretty great power too. I feel like a competition between the two would come down to McLouth disintegrating again versus Reimold getting hurt again. BBR really doesn't like McLouth in the field but we all know how weird dWAR can be. He seems to pass the eyeball test.

[RZNJ]

I think he has to keep proving that he's a nugget. Basically, he needs to keept hitting. I agree that he passes the eyeball test. The swing looks good. The defense looks good, and the baserunning looks good. I'd keep him for next year but he has to fight for a starting job.

[Grt 2BA FL Gator]

We won't need him if we can pick up Josh Hamilton..

Seriously though, the market for Hamilton could be very interesting per this ESPN article..

http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/s...-josh-hamilton

It would be a dream to have a Jones/Kakes/Hamilton outfield.

[Arthorn]

Since I heard we got him I've thought it was a good idea. We should extend his minor league contract if we can, and hope he sticks in the majors.

[eb45]

Something I'm a little worried about is that it seems like I've never once seen him hit the ball to left field. If he gets a hit, it's usually to right or right center, if he makes an out, it's a groundout to first or second. The stats kind of bear out this observation: he's only gone the other way twelve times in 147 PA this year. I don't know that a guy with his profile can survive as a dead-pull hitter, especially considering he struggles greatly against power pitchers (.065/.237/.065 compared to .293/.328/.483 against finesse).

I dunno, I've been a fan of his for years and I'm loving what he's doing right now, and it's great to not have balls to LF be an adventure, but I'm just a little concerned that this isn't what we should expect from him in the future.

Luckily, Reimold will hopefully be healthy someday and Hoes is looking ready for the call, so it's not like we're counting on McLouth as the LF of the future.

[Frobby]

I think he fits our needs very well. He's got speed, is a good defender in LF, and seems to have a good approach at the plate. Yes, he's a nugget, because he can contribute whether his OPS is .820 or .680. As a lefty, he complements Reimold and/or Hoes. He can spell Jones in CF if needed. And, I like him as a person and a competitor. He's a nugget so far as I'm concerned, whether he gets 300 PA or 600 PA.

[JohnD]

I see it the same way as Frobby. At worst, he'll make a good platoon guy with Hoes next year. But he's doing some good things for the O's, and filling in some gaps that needed filling in earlier this year.

[SteveA]

Obviously, if you can get a Hamilton, all bets are off.

But otherwise, looking at the LF situation:
-- we have McLouth, who may or may not be an answer but it seems like worst case is that he can contribute in a lot of ways as a 4th outfielder
-- we have Reimold, who may or may not be much of a player, and he may or may not stay healthy, but he has shown some ability when healthy
-- we have Hoes and Avery who are going to be pushing for ML playing time soon

If we are going to spend capital, either $$$ or trading depth, to fill a hole, I think it's clearly more important that we look at 2B than LF, because with all of the above I think we would be at the very worst "OK" in left without picking anybody up. And I can't say that about 2B.

[jabba72]

Like what i've seen from MccLouth. He does look like a natural at times, but also has a long history of so-so play. Play it by ear I guess. It will be interesting to see what they do with him and Reimold next year.

[scOtt]

Like what i've seen from MccLouth. He does look like a natural at times, but also has a long history of so-so play. Play it by ear I guess. It will be interesting to see what they do with him and Reimold next year.

So-so play? McLouth was a fantasy dream. Put up the numbers for years. I had him on many teams. Nate is an All-Star CFer. IRL.

I agree with most that with him and the other options in left, spend the bucks elsewhere. Any bucks... I agree with Frobby too about liking him as a person. He is go go go for the team. Like Howdy Doody or someone. Beyond reproach. You hear it in his interviews. Definitely a nugget.


EDIT: Like Kurt Russell in a Disney movie.

[Brendan25]

He has really fit in well on this team. I'd like him to stick with us next year if he can keep this up.

[Fiver]

I didn't realize he was 'only' 29; was thinking he was 32 or 33. At 29 (or I guess 30 next year) it seems he is a little more likely to get a bit closer to his previous form, than I thought he might be. Definitely worth keeping on board for platooning, at the very least, thanks to the skills he brings besides hitting (as Frobby intimated).

[JohnnyK27]

He has really fit in well on this team. I'd like him to stick with us next year if he can keep this up.

I agree

While I agree that Hamilton would be nice I think he's a pipe dream. 1st Hamilton will likely want to play LF and I still think the Orioles are too cheap to be in play for a top tier free agent. I personally refuse to get my hopes up even though DD make the statement that the payroll options would rise with the attendance. And despite the complaining here attendance is still up 20%.

[weams]

I agree

While I agree that Hamilton would be nice I think he's a pipe dream. 1st Hamilton will likely want to play LF and I still think the Orioles are too cheap to be in play for a top tier free agent. I personally refuse to get my hopes up even though DD make the statement that the payroll options would rise with the attendance. And despite the complaining here attendance is still up 20%.

12.5 percent. As of today