Tom Gordon

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.