“For me, I think everybody has to take into account their own personal situation. With all that’s going on and the recent outbreaks, I completely respect Yo’s decision. It could not just affect him, but his family as well, and you have no idea how this could affect your health in the short-term and long-term.”
Those are the words of Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, speaking to the media Monday afternoon about Yoenis Cespedes’ decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus-related concerns.
Of course, how Cespedes chose to opt-out – not showing up to Truist Park in Atlanta, and then having his agent tell the team mid-game that he was gone – was the key to the story, and while Alonso wouldn’t say whether that was out of character for Yo or if he would do the same, he did offer this:
“I didn’t know what was going on – I saw the news and was a little confused. But for me, I totally understand why he’s doing it: he has a family to take care of. I was caught off guard, but, it’s his choice,” Alonso said. “No (I don’t feel betrayed); even if there was a lack of communication, that’s between Ces and the team, and the decision remains the same. It’s unfortunate to lose a good teammate and player like that, but I totally understand where he’s coming from and respect his decision.”
As he would, Alonso said, anyone’s decision to opt out of this season, regardless of the manner in which they choose to do so.
“If anyone feels unsafe, I wouldn’t hold it against them. It’s difficult, because each person has to make the best decision for them and their family,” Alonso said. “I’m not the guy to judge the best decisions for others. Baseball for us is work, but at the end of the day, family is the most important thing. People understand the reasoning behind it.”
The Mets are 3-7 and on a five-game losing streak as they head into Monday’s series finale with the Braves, but with or without Cespedes, the team’s motive, and message, remains the same.
“We know what we have in front of us, we just have to go out there and play.”
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