For instance, last spring we could quote a big league manager who liked a young unproven hurler that he was planning to throw into some save situations, but reiterated that others on this particular team would be involved in closing games. It was also widely reported that this team was in the market for a proven veteran closer, and was also trying to persuede the closer from the previous season to come out of retirement. However, by the time the first few games of 2002 were played, it immediately became evident that the LA Dodgers search for a closer ended with Eric Gagne, who would go on to finish second in all of baseball in saves. Those who took a late-round flier on a whim were rewarded handsomely.

And then there were the projected closers who did not work out so well. In Florida it took Braden Looper all of two games to lose the closers gig that he had been handed during the Spring. Established relief aces were bit as well, as the White Sox decided in May that for whatever reason they could no longer live with Keith Foulke in the ninth inning.

And those are just a few examples, as the save category is by far the most volatile in fantasy baseball. Yes, even more tricky than trying to find stolen bases. Of the 30 teams in baseball, only seven (NYY, ANH, NYM, HOU, COL, SD, SF) have been entrenched with the same closer for at least three seasons. The examples are endless, as almost anyone seems just a couple of bad outings away from being demoted back to setup work.

And now there are now questions concerning even the most reliable of closers. San Diego�s Trevor Hoffman is facing a very real possibility of season-ending surgery, while the likes of Miriano Rivera and Rob Nen are dealing with arm woes of their own.

1. John Smoltz (ATL) � Has talked about a desire to return to the rotation, but don�t look for that to happen anytime soon � especially after converting 55 of a whopping 59 save opportunities, along with a 3.25 ERA and 1.03 ratio, along with 85 K�s in 80.1 IP. Opposition hitters were also held to a .188 average. Final numbers even more impressive considering Smoltz was shelled for eight runs in two-third of an inning in an early-season appearance.



2. Eric Gagne (LA) � Instantly made the transition from shaky spot-starter to dominant closer, saving 52 of 56 games, along with a sensational 1.97 ERA and .86 ratio. Gagne issued only 16 walks and opposing hitters were held to a .175 BA. 114 K�s in 82.1 IP prove that Gagne will not be a one year wonder.



3. Mariano Rivera (NYY) � Not one, not two but three trips to the DL for Rivera with a sore shoulder in 2002. All reports so far are positive, and Rivera has 238 saves to his name over the past six seasons. Rivera has a career ratio of 1.07 and the opposition has only managed a .193 BA lifetime.



4. Armando Benitez (NYM) � Becoming much more consistent, lowering his numbers from 3.77/1.30 to 2.27/1.05 last year. Still good with the strikeouts with 79 in 67.1 IP. Fell to 33 saves from 40+ in both 2000 and 2001, but look for Mando to return to that level with a revamped Mets team behind him.



5. Billy Wagner (HOU) � Has been the Astro closer for five of the past six seasons, and lifetime opponents are hitting a microscopic .166, with 589 K�s in 418 IP. The velocity is slowing down a little, with only 88 K�s in 75 innings � still a very good ratio. Also had a 2.52 ERA (1.99 on the road) along with a .97 ratio while converting 35 of 41 save opportunities.



6. Troy Percival (ANH) � Don�t worry about playoff hero Francisco Rodriguez at this point, as the gas-can is still good for duty. Finished �02 with 40 saves, along with a 1.92 ERA/1.12 ratio, and 68 K�s in 56.1 inning pitched. Opposition is hitting a measly .159 lifetime.



7. Rob Nen (SF) � Since 1996 has recorded 35, 35, 40, 37, 41, 45, and 43 saves. Last year had a 2.20 ERA along with 81 K�s in 73.2 innings pitched. However is coming off November shoulder surgery and had just gotten back to throwing off a mound as of mid-February. Signs do point to Nen being at least close to ready by opening day, so is still a top pick.



8. Keith Foulke (OAK) � A shaky May (8.10 ERA) was all that was needed to remove Foulke from the White Sox closer�s role, a job that Foulke would never get back. Only allowed one earned run in 31.1 IP to close out the season. Only had 58 K�s in 77.2 IP, so he�s not a big strikeout guy. Should flourish in Oakland however, considering the saves racked up by Jason Isringhausen and Billy Koch in recent years.



9. Eddie Guardado (MN) � Everyone kept on waiting for Eddie to implode like Latroy Hawkins did in the latter stages of 2001, but it did not happen as Guardado chalked up 46 saves to go with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.05 ratio. Was also good for about a strikeout an inning. Continue to look for saves-a-plenty.



10. Billy Koch (CWS) � Some are calling Billy Goat�s acquisition �a significant upgrade� for the Sox. I will respectfully disagree with that one. Did improve his numbers from 4.80/1.47 to 3.27/1.27. Also had 93 K�s v. 46 walks in 93.2 innings. Also, in addition to saving 44 games managed to win 11. Sometimes that means Koch blew the save only to see his team comeback to win. Still a decent pick as an imposing presence on a decent team.



11. Scott Williamson (CIN) � Will be huge as the Reds closer (with Danny Graves becoming a starter), in 280 career innings has held opposing batters to a .166 average, along with 327 K�s in 280 IP and a 2.89 ERA/1.25 ratio. Was also closer for much of the 1999 season, recording 19 saves. Was on fire the second half of last season with a 1.33 ERA/.89 ratio, allowing only 22 hits in 40.2 IP.



12. Kazuhiro Sasaki (SEA) - Has recorded 119 saves and well over a strikeout per inning in three seasons with Seattle, along with a 2.98 ERA/1.03 ratio. Had his elbow cleaned out during the off-season so Kaz may be a tad slow coming out of the gate.



13. Jose Mesa (PHI) � Everyone keeps waiting for Mesa to fall apart again as he did in Seattle, but has simply not happened � as Mesa has racked up 87 saves in the last two seasons. ERA was still fine at 2.97 but ratio ballooned up to 1.37.



14. Mike Williams (PIT) � Here�s an anomaly for you. For that mutt of a franchise known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Williams somehow managed to save 46 games along with a 2.93 ERA/1.22 ratio. Is not overpowering (43 K�s in 61.1 IP) at all for a closer, so don�t expect Williams to approach these numbers again.



15. Ugueth Urbina (TX) � UUU was allowed to walk from Boston as a free agent and has signed on with Texas, where he will close. Saved 40 games along with a 3.00 ERA/1.07 ratio, so statistically he is solid.



16. Matt Mantei (AZ) - Will be the D-Backs closer in 2003. Has held opposing hitters to a .170 average lifetime, but has walked 152 in 230.2 career IP along with a 3.78 career ERA. When right he can throw heat well into the high 90's.



17. Danny Graves (CIN) � It made sense that Graves became a starter, since he�s not the strikeout type pitcher that Scott Williamson is. However Graves did just fine as a closer himself with 129 saves over 3 � seasons. Lifetime has a 3.42 ERA/1.33 ratio with opponents hitting .227. Expect a nice year as a valuable starter to be used from a relief position.



18. Jose Jimenez (COL) � Recently settled on a one-year contract worth $3.6 million, avoiding arbitration � but could still find himself traded at some point during the season. On the field was simply fantastic last season, recording 41 saves to go along with a 3.56 ERA. Incredibly Jimenez�s ERA was better at home, where it was only 2.90. Only downside was a 2-10 W/L record.



19. Kelvim Escobar (TOR) � Long awaited ascension to closer finally occurred last season, and Escobar responded with a 38 save season. However, Jays management is still not sold � in part due to a 4.27 ERA/1.53 ratio. As is the case with Jose Jimenez, is due for the big money soon and a decision has to be made by the organization on whether he�s worth it. Thus, Escobar is another possible trade candidate.



20. Danys Baez (CLE) � Was moved from the rotation to the closers slot late last season after Bob Wickman succumbed to reconstructive elbow surgery. Recorded a 10-11 record with 130 strikeouts in 165.1 IP, and converted six of eight save opportunities. Control is an issue as Baez walked 82 batters.



21. Jorge Julio (BAL) � Often it is about the team one closes for, Julio recorded 25 saves while posting an excellent 1.99 ERA � as the opposition only hit .190 off Julio. There was only one problem, Julio recorded his last save on August 15. Jorge did not get hurt, nor did he get removed from the closers role. Julio was SIMPLY NOT GIVEN A SINGLE SAVE OPPORTUNITY for practically the final quarter of the 2002 season. That�s about all you need to know about the state of the Baltimore Orioles.



22. Jason Isringhausen (STL) � If totally healthy, Izzy would definitely be listed in the top 10 as he recorded 32 saves last year along with a fine 2.48 ERA/.98 ratio. However, Isringhausen underwent off-season shoulder surgery, and as of mid-February had not thrown off a mound. Izzy is a certainty to begin the year on the disabled list with the best care scenario pointing towards a May return. Go ahead and draft Izzy, but be sure to grab replacement closer Steve Kline as a handcuff.



23. Braden Looper (FL) � Stop if you�ve heard this before, Looper will open the season as closer for the Marlins. Of course Looper began last season closing for the Marlins, a position manager Jeff Torberg quickly rethought after Looper blew a save in the Marlins first game of 2002. This year promising Tim Spooneybarger comes over from the Braves and threatens to take over the ninth inning should Braden slip up. Looper did have a great second half converting on 13 straight save opps while recording a 2.27 ERA.



24. Matt Anderson (DET) � Most of the talk in Tiger camp involves prospect Franklyn German, but expect Anderson to be the closer out of Spring Training. Missed most of last season with shoulder troubles, but reported to off-season workouts in fantastic shape, and logged the best time in the teams two-mile run. Matt attributes his conditioning to hard labor at the farm which he purchased during the off-season. Throws a fastball very capable of reaching triple digits, but has struggled with control throughout his career walking 137 in 223.1 career innings pitched.



25. Scott Stewart (MTL) � Despite being troubled by an elbow that eventually required surgery, Stewart recorded 17 saves along with a 3.09 ERA/1.11 ratio and a strikeout an inning. Stewart is the frontrunner to close again, but this is a throwaway year for the lame-duck Expos so they may elect to handle him with kid gloves.



26. Jay Witasick (SD) � Trevor Hoffman is hopeful of returning to the mound at some this season, but in all likelihood the next time �Hell�s Bells� is played will be in Petco Park in 2004, as season ending surgery seems inevitable. But all is far from lost, as Witasick has posted fine ERA�s of 1.86 and 2.37 as a setup man the past two seasons, with opposition batters recording a BA of just over .200. Would have to earn the closers job, but has tremendous possibilities as a late round steal.



27. Antonio Alfonseca (CHC) � His profile on the MLBPA site compares his �imposing figure� to former Cub closer Lee Smith. Maybe, except Alf doesn�t scare nearly as easily � as he blew nine of a possible 28 saves along with a sky-high 5.48 ERA in the second half. It�s safe to say that Six-Finger Alf isn�t quite having the same success as Three-Finger Brown did about a century ago. Sometimes, more is less.



28. Mike DeJean (MIL) � Considering the Brewers won all of 56 games last year, �Mustard Boy� was not bad when called upon - as the lifetime setup man saved 27 games to go along with a decent 3.12 ERA. However, the organization is very high on young Luis Vizciano in the ninth inning role, and management will likely take a look at him as closer at some point during the season.



29. Ramiro Mendoza (BOS) � Talk about committee all you want, but Mendoza will probably be the best bet to close. The former Yankee recorded a 3.44 ERA and 1.29 ratio in 62 relief appearances last year. If it appears certain that Mendoza will be the closer, then feel free to elevate him up to the mid-teens in your rankings. Mike Timlin (114 career saves), Chad Fox and Alan Embree are other late-inning possibilities for the Red Sox.



30. Steve Kline (STL) � Did well in the Cards bullpen with a 3.39 ERA and 1.29 ratio, and also pitched in with six saves. Expect Kline to contribute 8-10 saves in the first quarter of this year filling in for Isringhausen.



31. Franklyn German (DET) � Eye-popping numbers racing up the ladder in the Yankees and Tigers minor league systems last year, including 13 saves, along with 31 K�s in 22 innings and a 1.93 ERA/.80 ratio at AAA Toledo. Considering Matt Anderson�s wildness/history of arm trouble, German should get an opportunity to close games at some point this season.



32. Byung-Hyun Kim (AZ) � Matt Mantei has already been claimed the closer, but one possibility has BHK starting.. Considering the way Byung-Hyun racks up strikeouts, that could be a real coup, especially if you�re able to stash him at a reliever position while taking advantage of the extra K�s and wins. Only problem is that Kim would at best be a fourth starter, and would be skipped over on occasion since Schilling and Johnson always pitch on that fifth day. As a closer in �02, Kim was not quite as dominant with the strikeouts (92 in 84 innings) but was much more consistent with a 2.04 ERA/1.07 ratio, along with recording 36 saves. Move Kim up into the mid-teens if he's a fourth starter.



33. Francisco Rodriguez (ANH) � K-Rod posted an incredible five wins during the Angels amazing championship run, recording 28 strikeouts in 18.2 innings with a 1.93 ERA along the way. Snuck onto the post-season roster after impressing with 13 strikeouts in 5.2 innings of September work. Should anything in terms of trade or injury occur with Troy Percival, Rodriguez could very well immediately become a top-ten closer. Keep in mind however that K-Rod is still only 21.



34. Casey Fossum (BOS) - Before relegating the BoSox as redheaded stepchidren to the Yankees for the rest of eternity, note that one heck of a pitching staff is being assembled at Fenway. Fossum started 12 games and relieved in 31 last year, posting 101 K's in 106.2 IP along with an excellent 3.46 ERA. At age 25, his future looks very promising. Getting enough starts is going to be hard with Pedro, Lowe, and John Burkett around - although closing is another intriguing possibility. If that were to happen, Casey would become huge in CDM - where he is listed as a starter with a salary of 550.



35. Mike MacDougal (KC) � Player Id # on bigleaguers.com link is 6666. Team parted ways with veteran Roberto Hernandez, with MacDougal being the frontrunner to land the closing job. Has all of 24 innings of big league experience, so expect some struggles.



36. Travis Phelps (TB) � Leading candidate to be the Devil Ray�s closer, but far from a sure thing as he posted a shaky 4.78 ERA/1.51 ratio. Strikeout-to-walk ratio (36/27) is also not impressive.



37. Luis Vizciano (MIL) - Chances should be better than 50-50 of Vizciano closing at some point this season. Had excellent numbers with 79 K's in 81.1 IP along with a 2.99/1.05. Current closer Mike DeJean has been a setup man most of his career, so there shouldn't be much friction in the two exchanging roles.



38. Tim Spooneybarger (FL) - The Marlins are another team that will be conducting continuing auditons, and Spoon figures to get much more of a shot at closing that he would had behind John Smoltz in Atlanta. Had a nice 2.63 ERA and 1.25 ratio in 51.1 innings worth of setup work last season. Not huge on the strikeouts, Spoon only retired 33 that route.



39. Tim Wakefield (BOS) - Also eligible as a starter, and had a 2.81 ERA/1.05 ratio with decent strikeouts last year. Has had a very up-and-down career so not highly recommended.



40. Trevor Hoffman (SD) � Among other things, Hoffman has been diagnosed with �arthritic degeneration� in his pitching shoulder. Everyone hopes for the best with TH51, and keep him in mind if still available in the later rounds only if his prognosis is more promising by Opening Day.