Marcus Stroman has opted out of the 2020 season.

The news comes a little over one week after we found out that Yoenis Cespedes opted out. It did come as a surprise, but with COVID cases continuing, we may see more players following suite.

What are our reactions to Stroman opting out?

Rich

Thoughts on Stroman….Any player has the right to opt out. That’s part of the agreement between the MLBPA and MLB for this abbreviated season. Stroman’s timing is a bit suspect, with his opt out coming after he had accrued enough service time to qualify for free agency. My thoughts, though, become far more practical about the Mets than theoretical about Stroman. I’m concerned about how the Mets will fill the void in the rotation this year, and more importantly, next year. Candidates for this year are not overly appealing. I think Lugo belongs in the bullpen. Gsellman has not been stretched out, and may not have time to be. I have absolutely no interest in seeing Corey Oswalt on the mound. Looking to 2020, I had hoped the Mets would resign Stroman. His presence and energy seem to be huge positives. I’m not sure how this opt-out affects the team’s perception of him, and of course, there will be new owners and likely a new front office. If Stroman does not return, the Mets have no choice but to pony up some money for a starter or two, given the uncertainty of when Noah Syndergaard may return. The new owners will have an immediate challenge on their hands, and how they approach it will set a tone that Mets fans everywhere will be observing closely.

Jack

I can’t really blame any player for opting out right now. Stroman has a contract to earn and a body to protect, and playing baseball right now isn’t safe. I can’t really blame the organization for preparedness given the situation, even though the pitching depth is not strong enough to recover. Maybe they try and churn out some opener ploy with Oswalt/Kilome and Gsellman, but no team that goes that route can expect to survive the first round of playoffs.

As far as what it means for the team going forward though, I can’t really make a call until the offseason – when they either re-sign him or let him walk and replace him with Jake Arrieta or J.A. Happ. Hopefully we don’t have to decide between retaining Stroman and extending Conforto and Syndergaard, but that really hinges on whether or not ownership changes.

Marshall 

When I first heard about the opt-out of Stroman, and after reading Jack’s excellent piece noted above, the first think that came to my mind was Shakespeare. Specifically Hamlet in Act 1, where the quotation, “This above all: to thine own self be true” is famously penned. As a physician, I can’t blame anyone for being careful with their health and their lives. Covid-19 has killed thousands of people and although baseball has implemented exacting measures to prevent spreading of this virus, it has hardly been foolproof. If a player opts out to protect himself and his family, more power to him.

I have written in this space that I am surprised that a baseball season, even a truncated one, even exists in 2020. I wouldn’t mind if the whole kit and kooboodle was shut down. Look whats happening. Some teams like the Mets have played 16 games, where as the Cardinals have played 5. What kind of league operates like this?

The manner some players have opted out can be called into question but not the result. Stroman may be the target of some negativism in the coming days, but he has a right to his own safety. For that, he can not be spurned, he can only be respected.

Ryan

In no way do a fault Marcus Stroman for making the decision that was best for him and his family, but it was a still a shock. Suddenly Brodie Van Wagenen has a trade that rivals the infamous Mariners deal for the worst of his tenure. Anthony Kay would be in the Mets rotation right now and Simeon Woods Richardson is a highly-touted prospect that could have been there in a few years.

Also all of this is overshadowed by the fact that Stroman was brought in to replace Zack Wheeler, who should have been resigned outright. It’s been a rough first two seasons for the Mets GM. There is no way he could have predicated a global pandemic, but the short-sighted approach he has taken continues to blow up in Brodie’s face.

Michelle 

Every player should have the right to opt-out if they do not feel comfortable playing right now. Before the season even began, I wrote about how we should not go after players who do decide to opt-out. One thing though I will admit to not realizing is the amount of players who would opt-out after the season began. Needless to say, the Marcus Stroman news did take me by surprise. Stroman was so active — both on social media and in real life — prior to the season, showing how he was staying in shape, staying loose, and staying active, even practicing and helping out little league teams. I really did not expect for Stroman to opt-out, but I do respect his decision, as we all should.

The most frustrating part of this — which should not be held against Stroman — is what Ryan noted above, that he was brought in to replace to Zack Wheeler. There is yet another void (especially with Noah Syndergaard out) in the Mets rotation. And that does just stink.

Violeta 

Stroman’s decision to opt out due to concern for his family members is one I respect. I was definitely taken by surprise when I heard the news, but I didn’t feel an ounce of negativity in regards to his decision. Of course I would have loved to see more of Stroman on the mound for the Mets, as we were able to see glimpses of what he could do.

Of course his departure will further deplete the Mets already flimsy starting rotation. Nevertheless, I respect his decision. These guys are human and live real lives, and I think it’s important to keep that in perspective.

Sal 

I respect Stromans’ decision to opt out for the rest of the season. Whether it truly is because of concerns over Covid or to preserve his top value in free agency this offseason, it’s a decision that he feels is best for his career and his safety. To his credit, Stroman at least let the team know that he was opting out… I really hope the Mets are able to bring him back on a long-term deal this winter.

Dilip 

I respect Stroman’s decision to opt out. I’ll also respect his family’s privacy. I do think the panic and uproar caused by Mets fans should be directed to the front office, specifically, one Brodie Van Wagenen. Is it his fault that Stroman tore his calf and opted out, no. But the trade was questionable at the time, it gave the Mets the copout to not sign Zack Wheeler, and now they’re on the verge of wasting another one of Jacob deGrom‘s prime years.

Matt 

I completely understand Marcus’ decision. While it’s certainly a disappointment that he won’t don the orange-and-blue this season, his and his family’s health is undoubtedly more important. I wish him all the best in his free-agent journey and hope he returns to New York for the foreseeable future.

Sam 

I want to preface my thoughts by saying that any MLB player has every right to opt out of the 2020 season if they want to, and they should not be ridiculed for that. That being said, I fully support Stroman’s decision. I can see how Mets fans would be frustrated considering where the Mets are at this season, so far, after having such a high ceiling going into 2020. His decision to opt out also comes right after hearing Wacha is going to the injured list so the frustration from fans definitely stems from that as well.

In a matter of a week, the Mets lost Cespedes, Wacha, and Stroman, all for valid reasons, but the timing definitely is not ideal. But, this season is one like any other and the Mets will just have to power through those losses as we would do in any other season and continue to follow protocols and stay healthy. I’m a little sad that I don’t get to see him pitch this season but I’m not mad at him for choosing to opt out. I just hope that the Mets re-sign Stroman because he has a lot to offer and the Mets are in desperate need of starting pitching come 2021.

Marissa 

It seems like we are all on the same page (as should every baseball fan) when we say that we respect Stroman’s decision to opt out. I think everyone knows that there are much bigger things than baseball, especially when there is still a pandemic happening. I will certainly miss the presence he brings to the mound every fifth day, and I’m sure the Mets will as well. I certainly wish him the best wherever he lands next, and am really hoping that happens to be with the Mets once again!

Joe D.

Of course Marcus Stroman had every right to opt out. However let’s not pretend he didn’t game the system and use the Mets. For many months Stroman touted how we had a great team and that he couldn’t wait to get on a mound and pitch. He went on and on tooting his horn almost everyday on Twitter. Turns out the only thing he was waiting for was his free agent eligibility date on August 1. And you know what, that’s fine, but just cut the act and just say you opted out because it behooved you financially.  You could have done it without all that bluster. Good luck to you.