Time for a Change

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Mike Jenkins

Are you sure, Gregg? The only other thing wrong with the Diamondbacks is that Buck Showalter keeps going to you with close leads in the ninth inning.

Gregg Olson is the Arizona Diamondbacks' last line of defense, the closer. The closer, or stopper, is one of the most valuable, if not the most valuable, part of the team. Olson is the Diamondbacks' closer for now, but after three blown saves in the Diamondbacks' first six games, his future better be up in the air.

He had as many blown saves all of last year as he has had in his first six games this year. For example, San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman, the best in the majors, blew one save in 54 attempts last season.

Olson was a dominant closer in the late 80's and early 90's with both the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles. His overhand curveball was nasty and his fastball was adequate (low 90's) for a closer. Then he blew out his elbow and it took him a long time to recover. The Diamondbacks took a chance last year and signed Olson, at first for a set-up man role for a young closer named Felix Rodriguez. Rodriguez didn't work out as he struggled early on and Showalter went to Olson. Olson showed signs of arm fatigue last year and many experts wondered whether he would last the whole season. He did and the Diamondbacks retained his services for another year.

As spring training came around this year, the same experts predicted the weak link of this ballclub was its closer. At the beginning of this season, I wondered how Olson would do, expecting the worst, and that is exactly what has happened.

Olson looks uncomfortable on the hill. His fastball looks flatter than ever. His curveball, once his best pitch, is hanging like a grapefruit. And the Diamondbacks, despite getting spectacular performances from their starting pitchers, are 1-5.

Once a closer loses his confidence, his performance goes down with it. An example of this is Mark Wohlers of the Atlanta Braves. Once a dominant closer, now he can't even reach the plate, regularly bouncing pitches in and costing his team runs.

The Diamondbacks can't afford to go into a much deeper hole, playing in the tough NL West. I know it's early, but it's time for a change. Let one of the younger guys come in and try the role. Baseball people always say, "A player always plays better if he's challenged."

Let's hope this is the case for Olson, both for his team and his career.

Mike Jenkins is a sophomore majoring in journalism. He can be reached at Mike.Jenkins@wildcat.arizona.edu.