After an arduous start with the Dodgers, Brandon League has settled in nicely as the team's closer, writes Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times. The right-hander turned his season around thanks to 18 scoreless appearances out of his last 19, giving him a 0.44 ERA during that stretch. Here's a look at the news and stories making headlines on the final Sunday of the regular season…
- Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki has exceeded all expectations for Washington after the team acquired him from the A's at the non-waiver trade deadline, writes Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com. The 28-year-old's strong performance has come on both sides of the ball, especially with his bat. "He's gotten clutch hits," Ryan Zimmerman said. "I think we all knew he was a better hitter and his track record shows he was a better hitter than what he was doing this year.
- Thanks to a strong campaign replete with increased playing time, Mets outfielder Scott Hairston heads into the offseason looking for a deal that will allow him to continue to expand his role in 2013, says Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Hairston will be able to use his 1.9 Wins Above Replacement as a negotiating chip as he looks to become an everyday player for the entirety of the season. "I pretty much played in every role possible, and the last few weeks or so I've been playing every day," Hairston said. "It's just one of those things where I really don't know what's going to happen. I'm just going to prepare myself this offseason as if I'll be playing every day."
- The resurgence of Nate McLouth hasn't been an easy endeavor for the former All-Star, but the hard work has the scrappy outfielder playing a major role in the Orioles' success, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. "It's part of the path that God has laid out for my life. And I don't question it. Were the last couple years tough? Heck yeah they were. But I know I am stronger and better because of it," McLouth said.
Scott Hairston is strictly a platoon player. He has no business getting 500+ AB’s
Agreed, an any GM that give Nate McOut anything more than a minor league deal to show up at camp next spring is smoking crack as well.
Hah! “McOut”. I laughed out loud
Nate McLouth has done a tremendous job for the O’s.
Sure. But you forgot to take into consideration his body of work over the past few years…which has been horrendous.
The last two were he was mostly injured. Did you actually read the article linked in the story?
Could also consider Jose Bautista’s body of work before he broke out. All I care about is “what have you done for me lately.”
Did McOut break out?
Yes, and very happy for him as he’s a nice guy and a hard worker but he’s not resembled even a replacement level MLB player for several years until now. IMHO this an outlier and not the true Nate.
Did 2007-2009 never happen?
I agree he had quite the year for the Mets but that was mainly because our OF was terrible at producing runs this year. I’d love to have him back but he should still expect to play mainly against Lefties to be honest.
League was a great pickup for the Dodgers. Mattingly is also saying that he doesn’t have any problem with closing by committee. If you’ve got three strong options, why not?
While I’m glad Mclouth found his stride again after his abysmal tenure with the Braves I wouldn’t look too far into his recent resurgence
He sucked with the Braves but has been good with the Pirates and Orioles. I wouldn’t look too far into his years with the Braves.
Well I guess with all the down votes people are going to look way too far into a month and a half of playing.
Boyyy did I catch a lot of flak when I said I liked the Nats picking up Suzuki… *over-elaborate sitcom shrug*
I liked it also. Suzuki is one of the stronger defensive catchers out there and hopefully has found a LT home in Washington.
Suzuki is NO way one of the stronger defensive catchers. He is among the worst. No arm, can’t block the plate, passed balls all over the place. I find it funny when a catcher can’t hit he is seen as seen as good defensively.
Everybody is so worked up about McLouth that they forget this post actually mentions the worst starting catcher in the majors, Kurt Suzuki, in a positive light.