Orioles sign Nate McLouth

The Baltimore Orioles have signed outfielder Nate McLouth to a one-year, $2 million contract, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

McLouth deal with #Orioles is for $2M plus $500k in bonuses.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2012

McLouth’s new contract with the Orioles includes $500,000 in potential bonuses. It was reported earlier today that he had been the team’s top outfield priority this winter.

McLouth signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates last offseason but got off to an awful start with the club before he was ultimately released in late May. The outfielder quickly signed on with the Orioles and joined the club’s Triple-A affiliate.

After hitting .244/.325/.461 over 180 at-bats in the minors, Baltimore called McLouth up as an extra outfielder. The team lost starters Nolan Reimold and Nick Markakis to injury, and McLouth got a legitimate shot with the team.

McLouth went on to flourish in Baltimore, hitting .268/.342/.435 with 12 doubles and seven home runs over 209 at-bats. He also represented most of the Orioles’ offense during their postseason series against the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.

The Orioles could use McLouth as their starter in left field, or they could platoon him with Reimold. McLouth has superior career numbers versus right-handed pitching, while Reimold has a track record of hitting southpaws well.