Tom Gordon

2013

There was no outlook written for Tom Gordon.

2009

Gordon's elbow kept him out for most of the season. In the end, 2008 marked the fourth straight season that Gordon saw a decrease in production in nearly every major pitching category: appearances, innings pitched, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts. Regardless of where he lands, he will likely be used in middle relief, though his days in the big leagues appear numbered. The only way he'd be useful from a fantasy perspective is if he happened to land somewhere with a weak bullpen, making him one of the top options to close in the event of an injury, although a lot would have to fall in his favor for such a scenario to develop.

2008

Gordon enters 2008 as a set-up man after he struggled to stay healthy. He figured to be the veteran glue holding the Philadelphia bullpen together last season, but it didn't work out that way. He started the season off as the team's closer but then missed two and a half months with a rotator cuff injury. While he was out, he lost his job to Brett Myers and assumed the role of set-up man. For the season, Gordon had nearly as many blown saves (five) as he did actual saves (six). During the offseason the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge as the new closer, assuring Gordon of the set-up man spot. He's 40 now and has had more than his fair share of arm problems in his career, so tread carefully if you're looking at him as a staff filler.

2007

In his first year as a full-time closer since 2001, Gordon sparkled in the first half with a 2.17 ERA and 21 saves. A sore shoulder limited him to a 5.32 ERA and 13 saves after the break, however, and he missed a couple of weeks in late August. He had trouble pitching at Citizens Bank Park, where he had a 4.80 ERA and allowed seven of his nine home runs. Gordon's late-season arm trouble and age are a concern, so don't spend on him as though he's in his prime.

2006

Gordon's headed to the Phillies to be their closer. He's done it before, so the pressure shouldn't get to him. But look more closely at his stats: His strikeout rate has gone down the last three years, while his WHIP rose substantially in 2005. He'll be a solid closer, but don't pay Mariano Rivera money for him.

2005

The diminutive righty's curveball is as sharp as ever and he can still make hitters look awfully silly - to the tune of a .188 opponents' batting average. Go the extra buck on Gordon toward the end of your draft. His strikeouts and ratios help even if he doesn't vulture some saves, which he likely will.

2004

Flash's 2003 was a flashback to better days, as he struck out 91 in 74 innings and saved 12 games. The performance was enough to earn him a closer's paycheck as a free agent, though he certainly won't fill that role with the Yankees. Repeat effectiveness in 2004 will depend entirely on his health, though.

2003

A quick look at Gordon's 2002 stats reveals that he still has the skill set to succeed if given a closer's job. Durability remains an obvious concern.