[SBR Tony]

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake decided to opt out of playing in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, general manager Mike Hazen announced Monday.

Leake, who was part of Arizona's eligible player pool released earlier in the day, becomes the first MLB player to publicly opt out.

"During this global pandemic, Mike and his family had many discussions about playing this season," Leake's agent, Danny Horwits, said in a statement to ESPN's Jeff Passan. "They took countless factors into consideration, many of which are personal to him and his family. After thorough consideration, he has chosen to opt out of playing in 2020.


"This was not an easy decision for Mike. He wishes the best of luck and health for his Diamondback teammates this season and he's looking forward to 2021."

As he's not considered a player at high risk of contracting COVID-19, Leake will not be paid this year. By opting out, Leake is walking away from a salary of approximately $5.6 million over the 60-game season, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Had it been a normal year, he would have earned $16 million in 2020, the final guaranteed year of his contract.

Leake's contract contains a mutual option for 2021 valued at $18 million, with a $5-million buyout. That option remains active despite the season being shortened, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Arizona acquired Leake, an Arizona State alumnus, from the Seattle Mariners last July. He posted a 4.29 ERA, 5.19 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP across 197 total innings in 2019 and allowed an MLB-high 41 home runs. He also won the AL Gold Glove at his position despite switching leagues midseason.

The 32-year-old owns a career 105-98 record with a 4.05 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 1,231 strikeouts across 10 major-league seasons with the D-Backs, Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Players like Leake who are not high-risk but choose to opt out will not be allowed to return later in the season, per Jayson Stark of The Athletic.

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/19...of-2020-season

[clockwise1965]

Never heard of him.

[cincinnatikid513]

he's a good hitter too

[Brock Landers]

I remember chi Archie calling him "professional rookie'

[turtlejc]

isnt he the guy they busted shoplifting?

[Brock Landers]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...pt-2020-season

Zimmerman and Ross on Washington too

Candy asses

[Mr KLC]

To each their own.

[QuantumLeap]

isnt he the guy they busted shoplifting?

Good memory:

On April 18, 2011, Leake was arrested by the Cincinnati Police for shoplifting six American Rag T-shirts worth $59.88 from the Macy's store in downtown Cincinnati, after he removed their price tags and tried to leave without paying for them.^[40] He had purchased an equal value of shirts earlier from Macy's, claimed he was trying to make an even exchange without talking to employees or going to customer service

[hostile takeover]

Arizona should be happy. This guy is a career overpaid pitcher.

[slayer14]

Guys dont want to take a risk if you get corana it can effect there career

[Mr KLC]

Wish I could brush aside $5.6 million for 3-4 months of work. I could use $5.60 about right now.

[Mr KLC]

[Fred The Hammer]

Shit is weak. Pro athletes have a better chance of getting killed by a drunk driver then dying of Corona. All they have to do is stay away from their parents or grandparents until they get tested......and they can find/afford weekly testing.

[stake1]

Leake isn't the first and won't be the last player to do this

[lakerboy]

LOL

[Plaza23]

Walking away from 5.6 million lmao....because he's afraid of getting a flu that is no more dangerous to him than the common flu. If there's any argument for baseball players being overpaid, it's this.

If you can walk away from 5.6 million for 3 month of work, then you're overpaid.

[Brock Landers]

Hopefully these jagoffs never play again

[sosawestbrook]

Ima Dbacks fan & from a competitive standpoint, Im not upset at all. the guy is out of his prime & way overpaid. it now opens up a spot for one of the younger pitchers to get a shot. god bless his soul though I wish him the best.

big picture wise, it might be a GOOD thing for some of these older guys to sit out the season. why? because the floodgates will open for some of the minor league talent which is blocked at the moment. MLB rosters carry a lot of dead weight with guys out of their prime or just some players getting the nod simply because of their veteran experience. the best players should get to play ALWAYS. this transition has already occurred in the NFL where positions are getting younger and younger especially QB. NBA same thing, if you are a top pick you are expected to contribute right away. none of this political BS that baseball currently has set up.

the more youthful & exciting the game is, the larger the attraction will be. baseball just needs a big time culture shift.

[lonegambler23]

he will regret losing that money

[cincinnatikid513]

time for him to retire anyways he's washed up

[19th Hole]

Good memory:

On April 18, 2011, Leake was arrested by the Cincinnati Police for shoplifting six American Rag T-shirts worth $59.88 from the Macy's store in downtown Cincinnati, after he removed their price tags and tried to leave without paying for them.^[40] He had purchased an equal value of shirts earlier from Macy's, claimed he was trying to make an even exchange without talking to employees or going to customer service

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leake and his wife, Catherine, have two children, Jackson and Scotlyn.^[38][39]
On April 18, 2011, Leake was arrested by the Cincinnati Police for shoplifting six American Rag T-shirts worth $59.88 from the Macy's store in downtown Cincinnati, after he removed their price tags and tried to leave without paying for them.^[40] He had purchased an equal value of shirts earlier from Macy's, claimed he was trying to make an even exchange without talking to employees or going to customer service.^[41] Leake was charged with theft, a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio that carried a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail if convicted. Leake had no known prior convictions.^[42] He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of unauthorized use of property and entered a court-sponsored diversion program and was required to complete 30 hours of community service and counseling, upon which his case was dismissed. Leake apologized and called his mistake "a boneheaded move".^[43]

[stake1]

There you have it. Leake was not the first. Will not be the last

[Chi_archie]

Leake enjoys the luxourious MLB life.

went straight from college to MLB without having to have 1 bus trip in the minor leagues.

might as well skip the water down baseball year, that will be filled with silly rules and policies only to be shut down anyways

[stake1]

Not a big loss at all, but Joe Ross is quitting too. Three players now. Just the start

[DoctorStrong]

First of many

[StackinGreen]

If you are a pediatric patient, you literally have ZERO risk. And you don't transmit it, either.

the funnier thing will be when they "get covid" not having played ball

which will show how stupid they really are - fear without understanding and without money on the line is stupid

Fear without understanding and with 5 million on the line is a level of all time moron status


I'd go bump shoulders with 100s of gays at a pride parade for a million dollars. That's far more dangerous and 1/5 the salary of these idiots.

[Art Vandelay]

Quitter!

[jjgold]

Bunch of spoiled weak brats that’s all

[Brock Landers]

If you are a pediatric patient, you literally have ZERO risk. And you don't transmit it, either.

the funnier thing will be when they "get covid" not having played ball

which will show how stupid they really are - fear without understanding and without money on the line is stupid

Fear without understanding and with 5 million on the line is a level of all time moron status


I'd go bump shoulders with 100s of gays at a pride parade for a million dollars. That's far more dangerous and 1/5 the salary of these idiots.

Tremendous post!

[mjsuax13]

Ima Dbacks fan & from a competitive standpoint, Im not upset at all. the guy is out of his prime & way overpaid. it now opens up a spot for one of the younger pitchers to get a shot. god bless his soul though I wish him the best.

big picture wise, it might be a GOOD thing for some of these older guys to sit out the season. why? because the floodgates will open for some of the minor league talent which is blocked at the moment. MLB rosters carry a lot of dead weight with guys out of their prime or just some players getting the nod simply because of their veteran experience. the best players should get to play ALWAYS. this transition has already occurred in the NFL where positions are getting younger and younger especially QB. NBA same thing, if you are a top pick you are expected to contribute right away. none of this political BS that baseball currently has set up.

the more youthful & exciting the game is, the larger the attraction will be. baseball just needs a big time culture shift.

Amen to this. D Backs fan also. Get the young guys up.

[Bcatswin]

He was a thief at the age of 18. No excuses.

He could rake as well as pitch. When's the last time you guys seen a guy come right out of college and be a starter in the MLB right away, think he started as the #3. Had a great year.

32 years old ain't to old for a soft offspeed pictcher

[Bcatswin]

And btw this is just the beginning imo

[stake1]

Now they are joined by the Rockies’ Ian Desmond. He quit too

[beerman2619]

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake decided to opt out of playing in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, general manager Mike Hazen announced Monday.

Leake, who was part of Arizona's eligible player pool released earlier in the day, becomes the first MLB player to publicly opt out.

"During this global pandemic, Mike and his family had many discussions about playing this season," Leake's agent, Danny Horwits, said in a statement to ESPN's Jeff Passan. "They took countless factors into consideration, many of which are personal to him and his family. After thorough consideration, he has chosen to opt out of playing in 2020.


"This was not an easy decision for Mike. He wishes the best of luck and health for his Diamondback teammates this season and he's looking forward to 2021."

As he's not considered a player at high risk of contracting COVID-19, Leake will not be paid this year. By opting out, Leake is walking away from a salary of approximately $5.6 million over the 60-game season, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Had it been a normal year, he would have earned $16 million in 2020, the final guaranteed year of his contract.

Leake's contract contains a mutual option for 2021 valued at $18 million, with a $5-million buyout. That option remains active despite the season being shortened, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Arizona acquired Leake, an Arizona State alumnus, from the Seattle Mariners last July. He posted a 4.29 ERA, 5.19 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP across 197 total innings in 2019 and allowed an MLB-high 41 home runs. He also won the AL Gold Glove at his position despite switching leagues midseason.

The 32-year-old owns a career 105-98 record with a 4.05 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 1,231 strikeouts across 10 major-league seasons with the D-Backs, Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Players like Leake who are not high-risk but choose to opt out will not be allowed to return later in the season, per Jayson Stark of The Athletic.

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/19...of-2020-season

What a bucking clown. Leake needs to grow a pair , his wife should file for divorce and actually find herself a man.

[Unrivaled]

Do you guys really care? MLB will be cancelled within a few weeks once a bunch of players start testing positive.

These guys are smart, they know no one will be getting paid soon.