6:04pm: Brito hasn’t officially made a decision yet, the Pirates announced (via Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). The Pirates did note there’s a “possibility” Brito will opt out.
5:38pm: Pirates outfielder Socrates Brito has opted out of the season, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. Brito made the decision after his brother passed away of COVID-19.
This isn’t the first time the coronavirus has affected Brito, who tested positive for the illness in early July. Brito was able to return to the Pirates shortly after, though, and the hope is that the 27-year-old will be able to get back on a major league diamond next season. The former Diamondback and Blue Jay, who joined the Pirates on a minor league contract last winter, has seen action in four big league seasons since he debuted in 2015. He didn’t make any appearances with the Pirates this year.
Pittsburgh has now seen two of its players opt out of the season. Righty Hector Noesi previously decided not to play this year because of family concerns.
wow his brother died from COVID??? I cant imagine his brother is very old. that seems like pretty significant news.
It’s not a hoax.
They only say that in the city, not in the rural areas
Yes it is
Best wishes for healing to Socrates Brito and his family. Losing a loved one is never easy.
Certainly a Socratic decision.
Sad
I remember when he was with the padres and made the opening day roster on 2019
Great story.
I’m sure you’re great at parties, but if I remember correctly, franchy Cordero is his cousin
This will be interesting.
Teams that are out of contention, will their players decide at this point to opt out of the season due to COVID?
Say the angles, Mike Trout has a newborn at home. He could just say screw it, we aren’t winning, why risk the health of my family.
The trade deadline has passed, players are on the teams they will be on. Will be interesting to watch
Good points.
Excellent post. I never thought about that. Imagine if six to eight players on a 26 man roster opts out.
Then they just hand the games to the other 16
if that was true, st. louis wouldn’t be playing
That would be a lousy thing to do. Knowing the circumstances of the pandemic and all of the adjustments made by the league and union. Then you commit to playing but reach a point where your team is out of contention and say to hell with it. I only wanted to be here if we were winning but we suck so I’ll just opt out and go home?
This is not aimed towards Brito, only to those who would consider opting out basically because they feel their teams chances are over.
Didn’t stroman do exactly this? Reached enough service time for FA and bounced on the Mets
I was coming here to say just this. I originally heard this point either in a national broadcast or a normal dodger game, but right when Diaz with Miami opted out, whoever was calling the game speculated we could see players opt out as their teams fall further from the race. Now that the deadline is passed, unless you’re playing for your next contract… has to at least cross your mind
I didn’t realize Brito lost his brother. That’s just devastating
Yeah then u don’t get paid. Those are the only funds the players will have coming in til next year. So no way there’s a mass exodus. Maybe a few players league wide at most
Losing a brother is so hard to deal with. RIP
Rest In Peace. Different bodies react differently and while most would be fine contracting this virus you truly will never know until you actually have it.
Brutal. Losing a loved one, a brother. I’d want to be with family, too.
Karma is real, dude. Look both ways before crossing.
Best wishes, Socrates
Sorry to the Brito family on losing someone so young with so much life ahead of him.
So now it’s just “possible” that he opts out. Looks like another case of Jon Heyman caring more about being first than being right.
That is a really good point. I haven’t really looked at the standings but there cant be more then 10 or 11 teams in each league that have a shot at the playoffs. So say thats 8 teams that for sure wont make it, what if a few vets that know they have a job next season quite from each team
AL is basically decided. NL is pretty open atm. Think all but Pitt were within 2 games of a playoff spot as of yesterday
Man that is sad. Absolutely don’t blame the poor guy. I would want to be with family too. On a happier note, he might have the greatest baseball name on planet earth.
Can Home Plato be far behind
How do you take this story and turn it into a joke? What are you, 9?
Bye So-Crates
How do you take this story and turn it into a joke? What are you, 9?
In their defense, sometimes people joke in order to deal with tough news. It’s not really that uncommon either. Some people cry, some people laugh to keep from crying. Everyone has a different way of coping with bad news, it doesn’t make them bad people.
if he’s 9, that’s older than 4
It’s that So Crates dude.
W.W.P.D.
(What Would Plato Do)
Smh… where is humor in loss of life?
He did what he believes to be right for him and his family. I hope he stays well and we see him next year playing.
Sad that adults are acting like children and making this a joke! Grow up! Hope none of you lose a family or friend to the virus!