What we know..

The Atlanta Braves have taken a massive hit over the last couple days. Their number 1 stud in the lineup Freddie Freeman tested positive for Covid-19. While Nick Markakis, whose been an anchor in the middle of their order for the last 5 seasons, has decided to opt of the shortened 2020 campaign. We now know Players who decide to opt out, whom MLB does not determine to be high-risk, will forfeit their 2020 contract. For example, Mike Leake, a Starting Pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks is a Ballplayer who has opted out. 2020 marked year 5 of his 5 year contract. He will now be a free agent following the season.. David Price of the L.A. Dodgers, someone who has also opted out of 2020, if not found “high-risk” would forfeit close to 12 Million Big-1’s (the pro-rated of the 32 Mill he was scheduled to make during a full campaign). He’d also be on year number 6 of his 7-year contract in 2021 (this season would have marked his 5^th year on that deal).That is a scary provision for Teams like those same Dodgers, who made a blockbuster trade in the Off-Season with the Boston Red-Sox to acquire not only Price, but Mookie Betts (who was the reason for the Trade). Betts becomes a free-agent in 2021 weather a Season is played or not (a provision MLB and the Player’s Union made when the virus caused the shutdown).

I had a hunch my Marlins weren’t going to have many guys looking to opt out of a season, and that’s EVEN with 4 Miami Players testing positive for Covid-19. 3 of those guys could be close to returning soon. “Each of the three [who previously tested positive] are nearing the end of their quarantine,” Marlins President Michael Hill said. “We’re hopeful to have them participate in intake and join us as soon as possible.” The other Marlin who tested positive just found out during the MLB report date Wednesday. In order to return, a player must quarantine for at least 2 weeks, show no symptoms, and have a negative test 2 separate days. Of the 4 Fish who tested positive, 3 are suspected to be Matt Joyce, Lewis Brinson, and Jazz Chisholm.

The Marlins look hungry (including those who have tested positive seeing as they are doing everything possible to return instead of 'opting out' like others around the League). There are so many guys on this Roster who have not established themselves yet in the Big Leagues. They know very well competition for jobs are abound. To Jon Berti’s, Harold Ramirez’s, Garrett Cooper’s, and Brinson’s competing for a spot in the outfield. To guys like Nick Neidart, Sterling Sharp, Monte Harrison, Lewin Diaz, or Jesus Sanchez, Ballplayers who are trying to break into the Bigs for the very first time. “All of our guys want to play,” Marlins Owner and C.E.O. Derek Jeter said. "Our players have been working extremely hard to get back on the field. Guys are ready.”