Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Robb Nen, and Kazuhiro Sasaki all have undergone arm surgery of varying degrees of seriousness this off-season. Hoffman underwent surgery in mid-October, in which the doctors removed devitalized tissue in his right rotator cuff to clean up his AC joint. They also repaired a very small partial tear of his rotator cuff. Hoffman will rehab throughout the winter and is expected to be fine for Spring Training, and therefore ready for Opening Day. This surgery is not considered serious for the 35-year-old and should make him stronger for next season.

If Hoffman runs into more serious arm problems, Jeremy Fikac would probably receive the first shot at temporarily replacing him with Brandon Villafuerte waiting in the wings. The Padres intend to work out a contract extension with Hoffman soon and haven't established a closer of the future. However, given the number of starting prospects in the organization, any of the pitchers who struggle in the rotation could be converted to relief.

Jason Isringhausen had surgery in late October to repair a small tear in his labrum and smooth out some fraying. His rotator cuff was checked but no damage was found. Isringhausen's injury troubles were much more apparent than those of the other three last year. He may not quite be 100% at the start of Spring Training, but this surgery should allow him to pitch consistently throughout 2003.

The Cardinals declined Dave Veres' option since they want to re-sign him to a cheaper deal. If he returns, Veres would once again back-up Isrignhausen, who is signed through 2005; otherwise, Mike Crudale probably will see any extra save opps.

Robb Nen underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in early November to clean up the joint. Nen reportedly was experiencing difficulty getting loose before pitching near the end of the year and this surgery should correct those problems. He too is expected to be fine for Spring Training and Opening Day. The closer turned 33 on Thanksgiving but should still have several years left in his arm. Nen is signed through 2004, though like this season, he has the option to void the contract after 2003. Felix Rodriguez remains the Giants' number one back-up to Nen.

Kazuhiro Sasaki's surgery was a simple procedure once he decided to have it done. The closer had a floating bone chip removed from his elbow in late October and should be ready to pitch well before Spring Training, as the recovery period for the surgery is only 6-8 weeks.

Sasaki is under contract with the Mariners through 2004 and the club holds an option for the 2005 season. There's nothing to indicate that the 34-year-old shouldn't be fine through the end of the deal, but if he runs into trouble Jeff Nelson and Arthur Rhodes will likely cover the save opps in 2003. Seattle's potential closers of the future will reach AAA this season, making 2004 likely the first time they'd really be considered as fill-ins for Sasaki.

Byung-Hyun Kim is still Arizona's closer despite the ever-present rumors that he might be moved to the rotation, usurped, or traded. Matt Mantei should be his back-up. Even with the likely loss of at least Greg Maddux from the Atlanta rotation, John Smoltz's performance last season has him set as their closer for the next year. At the moment Kevin Gryboski and Kerry Ligtenberg would likely cover if Smoltz went down.

The Cubs' closer role once again is up in the air. Chicago was quite unhappy with the performance of Antonio Alfonseca and will reportedly non-tender him. The club has money to spend and will likely pursue Ugueth Urbina, who, to my surprise, the Red Sox don't seem eager to re-sign. Boston would be foolish not to offer Urbina arbitration, but he'll likely want a multi-year deal, making Chicago a probable destination.

Scott Williamson appears to have the job in Cincinnati, and I expect the Reds to stick with him for the season as long as he's healthy. If Williamson isn't able to cover the role, John Riedling's probably the number two, and Danny Graves could be pulled from the rotation in an emergency. Jose Jimenez remains the Rockies' stopper, though they are reportedly willing to trade him. If Jimenez is traded, Todd Jones would assume the role.

The Marlins' closer position once again seems to be Braden Looper's to lose. However, given their relievers all have an additional year of experience and Looper doesn't possess particularly strong skills, he'll likely not receive more than half of the save opps over the course of the season. Vlad Nunez, Blaine Neal, and Tim Spooneybarger will all likely pick up at least a couple saves.

Billy Wagner demonstrated last season that he's fully recovered from his injury troubles and has the Houston job secured. Octavio Dotel should cover any time he misses. After his performance in 2002, the Dodgers aren't going to mess around with anyone other than Eric Gagne as their stopper. Paul Shuey should get the nod as his back-up.

Despite the superior option of Luis Vizcaino, Mike DeJean appears set to hold the Milwaukee job heading into 2003. Nevertheless I don't consider DeJean's position safe, with Vizcaino as the primary challenger and former closer Curt Leskanic expected to return from the DL.

Montreal will explore the possibility of acquiring a closer from outside the organization this off-season. However, their bullpen was decent and inexpensive last season, so Scott Stewart and T.J. Tucker will probably get the ball. I also wouldn't be surprised if they revived the Tim Drew experiment at some point.

Armando Benitez has outlasted the trade rumors in New York and should close for the Mets. Scott Strickland remains a very capable alternative. Jose Mesa will continue to make the ends of games interesting in Philadelphia. Carlos Silva is his de facto back-up. Mike Williams will hold the Pirates' job after a fairly strong 2002, with Scott Sauerbeck and Mike Lincoln as his insurance.

In the American League, Troy Percival should retain the Anaheim job with Francisco Rodriguez as his obvious replacement in case of injury. Jorge Julio will hold the Baltimore position, while Buddy Groom and Willis Roberts continue to back him up.

As discussed earlier, Boston doesn't seem likely to retain Urbina, so they'll turn to the free agent market, probably targeting Roberto Hernandez. Alan Embree could be called the interim closer and would likely cover save opps in an injury situation. Keith Foulke should reclaim the job with the White Sox, though his name has circulated in trade rumors and Chicago liked the performances of Damaso Marte and Antonio Osuna last season.

Bob Wickman is scheduled to have Tommy John surgery in December, so he will not factor into the Cleveland closing situation. Danys Baez is expected to remain in relief and the closer role. Mark Wohlers is likely behind Baez in line for the job.

Detroit's closer situation is somewhat undefined since Jose Acevedo is a free agent. However, Matt Anderson should be healthy and they're paying him to fill the role. Franklyn German will challenge Anderson but should remain in the set-up role for 2003.

Kansas City doesn't have a closer with Roberto Hernandez almost certainly departing as a free agent. The Royals are interested in bringing Tom Gordon back, and Gordon certainly wants a job as an undisputed closer, so that seems like a probable match.

Minnesota was quite happy with Eddie Guardado and likely won't make a change. Either J.C. Romero or LaTroy Hawkins could replace him in case of injury. Mariano Rivera did not join the list of closers undergoing arm surgery despite his problems last year. He's reportedly recovered from his shoulder problems and should be fine for next season, though I have some questions about his durability. The Yankees will probably handle any time missed by Rivera in the same manner as they handled his 2002 absences, though Steve Karsay should take the lead in the committee. I think Billy Koch is very available in trade, but he is still Oakland's closer as long as he's there. Chad Bradford is their number two reliever.

Esteban Yan still tentatively holds the closer job in Tampa, though I wouldn't be surprised to see them sign someone like Jose Acevedo or even Antonio Alfonseca, if he's nontendered. Lance Carter should also factor into the mix.

Since Jeff Zimmerman imprudently delayed having Tommy John surgery until late July of 2002, he'll likely miss all of 2003. Francisco Cordero claimed the Rangers' closer role near the end of the season and should hold it going into next season. Jay Powell will stand behind Cordero.

Toronto hasn't moved Kelvim Escobar, so he should be their stopper again in 2003. Cliff Politte seems like the main back-up for the Blue Jays, concluding our off-season look at closers around baseball.