The last time Orioles fans heard from Nate McLouth – just after a towering fly ball off his bat was lost, along with the Orioles' season, somewhere near the right-field foul pole at Yankee Stadium in Game 5 of the American League Division Series – the soon-to-be free agent outfielder said he wanted to remain in Baltimore.
On Thursday, that wish officially became reality as the Orioles announced a one-year deal with McLouth that will pay him $2 million with $500,000 of performance-based incentives. The teams had agreed to terms more than a week earlier.
Signed to a minor league contract in June, McLouth became one of the Orioles' top players throughout their playoff push, especially once he took over the leadoff spot for the last month of the season. He was also the team’s best player in the postseason, hitting .308/.321/.462 with one homer, five RBIs and three stolen bases in six games.