Johnny Damon

2013

There was no outlook written for Johnny Damon.

2012

Damon showed in 2011 that there was still a lot of gas left in the tank, as the ironman played in more than 140 games for the 16th straight season. He put together a nice bounce-back campaign after a disappointing season in Detroit, finishing with 16 home runs and 19 stolen bases. Considering the pitcher-friendly confines of Tropicana Field, it shouldn't be a surprise that 10 of his 16 homers came on the road. While at 38 there should be some decline on the horizon, outside of a small drop in his walk rate there is nothing statistically to suggest that decline has begun. In fact, his .284 BABIP was his lowest mark since the 2001 season when he played in Oakland suggesting he may have been a little unlucky. The Rays at press time were looking at re-signing him, likely to be the team's everyday designated hitter. Given his age and declining arm in the outfield, a move to DH would help keep him fresh for the season and prolong his career. Look and see where he lands this offseason as his role and home park will greatly affect his fantasy value.

2011

Damon's first and likely only season in Detroit was a mild disappointment. The veteran outfielder/DH showed off his trademark durability by appearing in over 140 games for the 15th consecutive season, but his production at the plate was his lowest output since 2001. In 539 at-bats, Damon hit .271/.355/.401 with eight home runs, 81 runs and 11 steals. Those numbers will still play in deeper formats, but it's quite a drop from the lines he posted while in Boston and New York. The Rays signed him to split time between left field and their DH spot with Manny Ramirez. At 37, he's in the twilight of his career and shouldn't be counted on for the production he put up during his prime years.

2010

Damon played 143 games last season, continuing a remarkable run of durability that has seen him play at least 140 games in 14 consecutive seasons. That type of consistency should help him in the free-agent market, as will a 2009 season that saw him hit .282/.365/.489, numbers roughly at or above his career averages. He signed with the Tigers this offseason and leaving New York, where homer-friendly Yankee Stadium gave his power numbers an unexpected jolt and an army of potent bats behind him allowed him to score 100-plus runs for the first time since 2006. He'll split time at DH and the outfield with the Tigers, but his home runs could drop precipitously, and his steals have already began their downward turn.

2009

After suffering through an injury-plagued 2007, Damon rebounded and eventually spent some time back in center field when Melky Cabrera struggled at the plate. Defensively, he still leaves something to be desired when he's forced to move over from left field, but the Yankees have the luxury of playing Nick Swisher in center field if they don't feel Brett Gardner is up to the task, while Hideki Matsui can serve as designated hitter. Damon should remain in the leadoff spot in 2009, where he got on base at a .376 clip. Fantasy owners can still benefit from his combination of power and speed, as Damon narrowly missed 20 homers and 30 steals last season, while he'll score plenty of runs from that spot with the big bats behind him.

2008

Melky Cabrera replaced Damon as the Yankees' everyday center fielder, while a back ailment helped to turn Damon into a part-time player. Looking forward, the Yankees are already stuck with Jason Giambi's massive contract, while Hideki Matsui is still in the fold to play left field every day, so Damon could potentially be on the move before the regular season begins, although he has a partial no-trade clause and the Yankees would probably have to eat a portion of the $26 million left on the final two years of his contract. When healthy, Damon wasn't nearly as bad you might think, and he's still got some speed to offer (27-for-30 on stolen-base attempts) at what figures to be a reduced price in most leagues.

2007

The short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium helped Damon set a career-best mark of 24 homers during his first season in the Bronx. Playing through a foot injury for most of the season, the 33-year-old still showed that he's got plus speed, en route to swiping 25 bases and scoring 115 runs. With an offseason to get healthy, Damon is poised to score 100 runs for the 10th consecutive season and should remain in the 20-20 club during his second season with New York.

2006

Damon is still one of the game's better leadoff hitters, but he doesn't run as much as he did earlier in his career. Since becoming a full-timer, Damon has never played less than 145 games, so you're getting a durable player who plays through the minor injuries. Now with the Yankees, Damon should be as good a source of runs scored and RBI as ever at the top of a powerful lineup.

2005

Damon achieved cult status in New England during Boston's run to the World Series, which buys him a lot of security. He isn't the base stealer he once was, so don't over-estimate Damon's value there, but he still scores lots of runs and will hit atop Boston's powerful lineup again in 2005. After two consecutive years of regression, Damon exceeded career averages in batting, on-base, slugging and OPS in 2004 and set career highs in homers, RBI and walks. That suggests 2004 may be an anomaly, or it could be a player adjusting to age. Either way, Damon is more than just a beard and long hair.

2004

Damon will lead off for Boston and play center field. He struggled prior to the All-Star break, but saved his season with a good second half.

2003

Damon, 29, will be the Sox' starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter. In his first season with Boston, Damon hit .286 (.356 OBP) with 31 steals. A banged-up knee limited his second half speed numbers, but Damon consistently surpasses 100 runs (118 in 2002). If he is healthy, he's a premier leadoff hitter.