FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Mariners are interested in free agent outfielder Nate McLouth. The Orioles are also interested in retaining McLouth, though executive vice president Dan Duquette said last week that contract talks were going "a little slow." The 31-year-old outfielder impressed down the stretch with Baltimore, hitting .268/.342/.435 with seven homers, 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 55 games. He then hit .308 (8-for-26) with a homer, five RBI and three stolen bases during the postseason.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said talks between the club and Joe Saunders and Nate McLouth are "a little slow" right now. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reported earlier this month that the O's were optimistic about bringing McLouth back, but it appears that it might take a little while if they do get something done. Saunders' camp figures to play things slowly with so many teams looking for pitching.

The Orioles are still talking to Nate McLouth and remain optimistic about the ability to re-sign the free agent outfielder. McLouth impressed down the stretch for the O's, hitting .268/.342/.435 with seven homers, 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 55 games. He then hit .308 (8-for-26) with a homer, five RBI and three swipes during their postseason run. The 31-year-old outfielder has publicly expressed a desire to return to the Orioles as well.

Nate McLouth told reporters Friday that he hopes to return with the Orioles next season. McLouth was the Orioles' everyday left fielder after being released by the Pirates midseason. Coming off strong finish to 2012, he could draw interest on the free agent market. With Nick Markakis (wrist) and Nolan Reimold (neck) expected to be medically cleared for spring training, the Orioles may view McLouth as expendable, depending on his contract demands.

Nate McLouth shone as the key cog in the Orioles' offense on Friday as they topped the Rangers 5-1 to secure the American League Wild Card, going 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. McLouth started the game off by reaching on an error, then promptly swiped second base and scored on an RBI single from J.J. Hardy. He then lined a two-out, run-scoring single to left in the seventh inning that increased the O's advantage to 3-1. McLouth wasn't finished yet though, as he added a sacrifice fly to tack on a valuable insurance run in the ninth to put the O's on top 5-1. Plucked off the scrap heap from the Pirates earlier in the season, he has been a tremendous find for the Orioles this season and one of the many reasons for their unexpected success.

Nate McLouth ripped a solo homer and drew two walks in Monday's loss to the Blue Jays. McLouth also had a pair of hits in the first game of the doubleheader. The former Pirates castoff is suddenly settling in as the Orioles' leadoff hitter and is batting .275 with five homers over 47 games since arriving in Baltimore.

Nate McLouth went 3-for-5 and hit his fourth homer for the Orioles in Monday's win. While he's still not quite reached Troutian levels with his .786 OPS, McLouth has saved the Orioles' bacon with some excellent play in left field since joining the team last month. He's hit .274 with 26 runs scored and eight steals in 40 games.

Nate McLouth will bat leadoff again Tuesday against the Rays. It's not ideal, but Orioles manager Buck Showalter is hurting for alternatives with Nick Markakis (thumb) sidelined. Lew Ford will make the start in right field Tuesday.

Nate McLouth clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer in a 4-3 win over the White Sox on Monday night. McLouth also a drew bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning, so he had three RBI on the night. The only other run was driven in by Lew Ford, who connected for his first major league home run since 2007 in the second inning. Yes, this is baseball in 2012. The Orioles are now 24-6 in one-run games this season.

Nate McLouth blasted his first home run of the season on Tuesday night in Texas, leading the Orioles to a 5-3 victory over the Rangers. McLouth also scored twice, drove home two and stole a base in the impressive performance. In his first 16 games with the Orioles, he's now hitting .255 (14-for-55) with a homer, six RBI and four stolen bases. If he continues to play everyday, he could be worth a try in deep fantasy leagues.