PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Pirates center fielder Nate McLouth makes a leaping catch. McLouth has won a Golden Glove for his work.
Christopher Horner/Tribune-Review file
Winning a Gold Glove will put a lot more green in Nate McLouth's next contract with the Pirates.
Wednesday, McLouth became the first Pirate in 15 years to be named to the National League Gold Glove team.
The award caps a breakout season for McLouth, who was named to the All-Star team and batted .276 with a league-high 46 doubles. McLouth led NL center fielders with a .997 fielding percentage.
"I picked a pretty good year to have a good season at the plate and in the field," McLouth said.
That's because McLouth, 27, is heading into his first year of arbitration eligibility. The payoff will be either a hefty contract for 2009 or an even richer multiyear deal.
"Nate would be a prime candidate for that (long-term contract)," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. "But no decisions have been made yet."
Other National League first-time Gold Glove winners were: St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina; Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino; San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez; and Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips. Repeat winners were Los Angeles pitcher Greg Maddux (his record 18th); New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright; and Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington will cement the team's payroll strategy after Huntington returns from this week's GM meetings in Dana Point, Calif.
The Pirates would want to buy out at least the first year of McLouth's free-agent eligibility, which would mean either a four-year offer or three years with an option. The team has not yet made overtures to McLouth's agent.
Last season, McLouth made $425,500, which was only $35,500 more than the major-league minimum. In arbitration, McLouth could expect to receive up to 10 times that amount.
He's put himself in position to be financially secure for life, but McLouth is prouder simply for what he accomplished on the field this season.
"The money will take care of itself," McLouth said.
A first-year starter, McLouth began the 2008 season with a 19-game hitting streak. He wound up setting career highs in every offensive category.
In 155 appearances (150 starts), McLouth made just one error -- an errant throw in the final week of the season. He also became the first outfielder to throw out a potential winning run at the plate in extra innings of an All-Star Game. In the 11th inning of the game at Yankee Stadium, McLouth's perfect strike nailed Tampa Bay's Dioner Navarro.
Before last season, the rap on McLouth was all-hit, no-field. He silenced those who doubted his defensive skills.
"I hope so. I kind of got sick of hearing it," McLouth said. "I think I've made myself into a pretty good player, but I wouldn't say I'm a finished product. I can be more consistent at the plate, I can take better routes to balls, I can steal more bases."
The front office has no concerns about either McLouth's age or his health being a factor in a contract offer. McLouth missed a few days last season with a sore knee, and he also was cut near his eye while trying to make a diving catch.
"Nate relished the opportunity to prove he belonged in the starting lineup," Coonelly said. "Winning a Gold Glove is something that doesn't happen very often with first-time starters."
McLouth is the first Pirates player to win a Gold Glove since shortstop Jay Bell in 1993. The last Pirates center fielder to be honored was Andy Van Slyke in 1992.
Rob Biertempfel can be reached at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or 412-320-7811.
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