Matt Loede
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It’s been relatively quiet when it comes to Major League Baseball players opting out for the 2021 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One player who has made up his mind already that he won’t be on the playing field in 39 days though is Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond, who announced Sunday he is opting out for 2021.
Desmond announced on Instagram that “for now,” he has decided to opt out for the second straight season.
“My desire to be with my family is greater than my desire to go back and play baseball under these circumstances,” Desmond wrote.
“I’m going to continue to train and watch how things unfold.”
Last year, Desmond opted out for the shortened 60-game season, wanting to be home with his then-pregnant wife and their four other children.
The last two seasons, Desmond has given up a combined $13.56 million. This upcoming season, he was due to make $8 million as well as $5.56 million of his prorated $15 million salary last season.
The Rockies have a $15 million option on Desmond for next season with a $2 million buyout.
“I’ve let my teammates know, as well as the coaching staff and the front office, and they have all been extremely understanding and supportive,” Desmond’s post read.
“I wish nothing but the best for the entire Rockies organization and have let them know I am willing to do whatever I can to help them from afar.”
The 35-year-old hit .255 with 20 homers, 65 runs batted in and scoring 64 runs playing in 140 games for Colorado in 2019.
I think I’ll contact my employer and tell them that I’m opting out of work due to the Covid-19 “circumstances”. Perhaps front line workers who treat Covid+ patients will do the same thing.
What an entitled, fear-ridden jackass this guy is.
WORD!
As a recovering former Rockies fan (1993 – Arenado trade), I would say both parties are winning here. He finds it more important to be with his family, Rockies fans find it more important that he doesn’t set foot on the field to suck any longer. Another winning free agent move by the worst current GM in pro sports, Jeff Bridich.
Retire pussy
One of the worst free agent signings in Rockies history.
He’s got enough money to not play, good for him. Rockies don’t have to trot his sorry ass out there, good for them.
Couldn’t agree more. Win-win
Shoot if my employer didn’t have a chance in hell to be good and had a 2 mil buyout option for me…I’d probably stay home too.
Another pussy good grief just stay gone
And, here’s the problem with the Covid opt-out: it allows people to renege on their contracts for purposes other than Covid, and not get fired. If he had done this in 2019, he would have been fired.
Just cut him. Do they really want a 36 year-old who hasn’t played in two years taking the field for them next year?
They cut him they’ll have to pay him the full amount, baseball contracts are god awful
Stay in your basement and eat the shit out of Biden’s diaper, pussy…
Whatever. He gives up 13 1/2 million to hide from a disease he`ll never get. Stay home, pussy, and don`t forget to put on your mask, bitch.
He’s probably the type that wears a mask when he’s by himself the little bitch
Well said, Mark….