30 A's in 30 Days – Josh Outman

Acquired: Traded from Philadelphia as part of package for Joe Blanton (July 17, 2008).
Contract: One year thru 2009. Eligible for arbitration after 2011 season.
Position: Left-handed Out Man. (You can use that…)

Projected ERA: 4.70

Over/Under: He'll almost certainly start the year in AAA-Sacramento as a shaky insurance policy for Oakland's shaky rotation. There are two schools of thought with Outman's eventual role: late inning shutdown guy or middle of the rotation starter. The Phillies had thrown in the towel on Outman as a starter, but the A's seem convinced his change-up and slider will eventually develop, so – for now – he's starting. Former Oriole Rick Krivda is his #1 comp at Baseball Prospectus and he's as good an example as any for what happens to starters without the repertoire to be a starter. OVER.

By the Numbers: 3 – Number of human beings known to believe in "The Outman Methodology". Outman's father has passed down an unorthodox pitching delivery to his two sons, which is described in this piece as "… awkward in its appearance, [it] begins with the pitcher raising his arm vertically with the ball, then bending it behind his head — seemingly touching his opposite shoulder. The pitcher then pivots his front foot, beginning his follow-through with a 'walking step' forward. There is no leg kick as with conventional mechanics." Uh, yeah…it's safe to say it didn't take.

Surefire '09 Prediction: Outman's surname will become the laziest last name punch line in baseball since 2004, but will NEVER touch the uninhibited awesome of Johnny Dickshot.