The Braves have signed left-hander Josh Outman

[Braves1976]

Per MLBTR: The Braves announced today that they have signed left-hander Josh Outman to a one-year, Major League deal.

My comments: Good signing and exactly who I hoped they sign as Outman is a very good lefty specialist.

[chop2chip]

@gondeee: Braves sign LH reliever Josh Outman. Pretty exclusively a LOOGY. Career vs LHB: .186. Vs. RHB: .303.

[jimsnores]

@gondeee: Braves sign LH reliever Josh Outman. Pretty exclusively a LOOGY. Career vs LHB: .186. Vs. RHB: .303.

If Braves use him as a LOOGY, he should live up to his name.

[emk418]

Solid signing. Outman has always had a really good arm and has had success in the majors. Could end up being a solid pickup with some work with Roger. Can't wait to hear the complaints....

[Braves1976]

@gondeee: Braves sign LH reliever Josh Outman. Pretty exclusively a LOOGY. Career vs LHB: .186. Vs. RHB: .303.

That's correct, he has long been very good against lefties but weak vs righties. He was exactly who I suggested recently so I am happy they signed him. I suggested him in past years too when on waivers before he went other places and did great in a lefty specialist role.

[Braves1976]

If Braves use him as a LOOGY, he should live up to his name.

Agreed. Let's hope Fredi gets the memo. :)

[Braves1976]

This signing may also mean that Avilan is back on the trade block, if he ever was off of it, and that he could be moved soon. We will need a 40-man roster spot for Outman so someone will need to be moved or DFA'd soon.

[Millwood1Hitter]

Fredi will want to see what he's got...can he go multiple innings? Check....can he pitch 12 out of 14 days....check

I wonder if Josh really knows what he is getting himself into? Unless of course he hates baseball and this is a guarenteed way to make sure that he is completely out of the game by mid June...for good

[Braves1976]

Fredi will want to see what he's got...can he go multiple innings? Check....can he pitch 12 out of 14 days....check

I wonder if Josh really knows what he is getting himself into? Unless of course he hates baseball and this is a guarenteed way to make sure that he is completely out of the game by mid June...for good

They only signed him to a one year deal where if Fredi breaks him in one season they can find him a new toy next off-season. :)

Seriously, I am hoping Fredi is let go after this season at the latest. That they at least just let his contract run out without renewal.

[Braves1976]

It also needs to be pointed out that Outman has had TJS as required by the Braves brass:

David O'Brien @DOBrienAJC · 11m 11 minutes ago
Outman missed 2010 season for ... wait for it ... TJ surgery

[Russ2dollas]

Agreed. Let's hope Fredi gets the memo. :)

what's the problem? RH get out 70% of the time.....

[drewdat]

Should be a decent trade chip in July.

[Tapate50]

Pretty damn cheap signing... 925k + up to 425k in incentives? Sold.

[Julio3000]

Agreed. Let's hope Fredi gets the memo. :)

Is there going to be a memo on which hand makes an "L"? Thx,
FG

[thethe]

Pretty damn cheap signing... 925k + up to 425k in incentives? Sold.

As are the majority of moves made by Hart this offseason.

[Braves1976]

As are the majority of moves made by Hart this offseason.

A lefty specialist like Outman shouldn't cost much, he only made 1.25 million last year and that was the most he's ever made. This deal is pretty much the best offer he could get if he reaches the incentives available.

That said, I agree that it is a wise signing by Hart and co. as there isn't much left among lefty relievers on the market. Plus what we needed most for the bullpen was someone solid vs lefties. We have plenty of right handed options including some that are better as righty specialists. So Outman could give one of them a tag-team partner of sorts too.

[Millwood1Hitter]

Fredi on Outman: "I'm exciting, guy gives us great flexibility, I even read in my Baseball Prospectus that he even started a few games for Oakland a few seasons ago, so we might go there and see what he's got. It will probably be between him, Russell, and Hale for that last starter spot. If not, we got a guy with a rubber arm to be able to get some people out of the pen."

[ramadon101]

A lefty specialist like Outman shouldn't cost much, he only made 1.25 million last year and that was the most he's ever made. This deal is pretty much the best offer he could get if he reaches the incentives available.

That said, I agree that it is a wise signing by Hart and co. as there isn't much left among lefty relievers on the market. Plus what we needed most for the bullpen was someone solid vs lefties. We have plenty of right handed options including some that are better as righty specialists. So Outman could give one of them a tag-team partner of sorts too.

I expect his control to rebound under McDowell's watch from the aberration that was last year... Not to mention the added bonus that Outman only has 4 years of MLB service time so if he does well in 2015, we can control him via arbitration through 2016-- or use him as a trade chip again come next winter.

[Braves1976]

They already have Outman and our other recent signings listed on the 40-man, that gives us 41 listed or one too many. Plus we're really at 42 but the Cuban kid we signed may not need to be added officially till after Winkler hits the 60-day DL at the start of spring training.

To sum it up, we are either about to DFA a player or a trade is coming soon to open a spot. DFA candidates include Jaime among pitchers, Constanza among hitters and possibly others. Avilan and Pastornicky seem the most likely trade candidates. But even someone like Avilan might be DFA'd if a deal is all but official (a la the Varvaro transaction earlier this off-season).

[dak]

Very good signing by the Johns. Good call on the service time, ramadon101. Hadn't noticed that. This guy has been consistently effective against LH hitters over the years, so exactly what we needed. His FB velocity charts do look pretty scary though from last year. Dropped from mid 90s beginning of season to high 80s at end of season. Hope it was just fatigue.

Bowman says Pastor is DFA'd.