The Pirates are close to reaching a deal with free agent Nate McLouth, a source confirmed to MLB.com on Tuesday afternoon.

McLouth is no stranger to Pittsburgh, which drafted the 30-year-old outfielder in 2000. McLouth broke into the Majors in 2005 and was a part of the organization until being traded to Atlanta in June 2009.

Though McLouth was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner for the Pirates in ’08, he never came close to that type of success with the Braves. In parts of three seasons with the Braves, McLouth hit just .229 with 44 doubles, 21 homers and 76 RBIs in 250 games.

This last season was the final year of a three-year extension that McLouth signed just months before the Pirates dealt him away for Charlie Morton, Gorkys Hernandez and Jeff Locke.

The Pirates’ interest in signing McLouth comes from their need to add to their outfield depth. McLouth would be a candidate to take one of the corner outfield spots, though the Pirates would likely give Alex Presley the first chance to solidify himself as a starter.

The deal, which is believed to be for one year, is not expected to be finalized until Wednesday, at the earliest.

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