Nationals sign outfielder Nate McLouth to two-year contract

The Washington Nationals today signed outfielder Nate McLouth to a two-year contract. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

McLouth, a nine-year veteran, is a career .250 (779-for-3118) hitter with 185 doubles, 19 triples, 100 home runs, 326 RBI and 129 stolen bases in 966 games with the Orioles (2012-13), Braves (2009-11) and Pirates (2005-09, '12).  

The left-handed hitting McLouth joins the Nationals after hitting .258 with 31 doubles, 12 homers, 36 RBI, 53 walks and a career-high 30 stolen bases in 146 games last season with Baltimore. McLouth's 12 home runs rendered the fourth double-digit homer effort of his career (12 in 2013, 20 in '09, 26 in '08, 13 in '07).

McLouth, 32, is experienced at all three outfield slots, but has started more than twice as many games in center field (510) than in left and right field combined (248) during his career. He is also a .321 (9-for-28) career hitter in nine postseason games (Orioles in 2012, Braves in '10).

In 2008, McLouth represented the Pirates in the All-Star Game and won a Rawlings Gold Glove. That same season, he led the NL with 46 doubles.

To make room on the 40-man roster for McLouth, the Nationals designated outfielder Corey Brown for assignment. Brown hit .254 (99-for-389) with 26 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 56 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 57 runs scored in 107 games for Triple-A Syracuse this season. He appeared in 14 September games for the Nationals, hitting .167 (2-for-12) with one double, one homer and one RBI.