Giants catcher Buster Posey has decided to opt out of the 2020 season, he announced in a Zoom call with reporters today.

Both manager Gabe Kapler and president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi have voiced full support of Posey in his decision.

“With these babies being as fragile as they are, for the next four months at minimum,” Posey said, the decision was easy from a family perspective.

The former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP acknowledged that from a pure baseball standpoint, the decision to sit the season out did weigh on him, but he feels strongly that he’s making the best decision for his family.

Posey had been absent from Giants Summer Camp for the past two days.

Though Posey himself is not a high-risk individual, his decision serves as yet another reminder that there’s far more to consider than individual well-being when it comes to the current pandemic.

We’ve seen many players with family decisions grapple with the same issues that Posey articulately described in his announcement.

Presumptive backup Aramis Garcia had hip surgery that could sideline him all season, and the only other catchers in the organization who have called a big league game are Rob Brantly and Tyler Heineman.

2 overall pick Joey Bart, but he’s yet to play a game above Double-A (where he played in just 22 games last season).

Posey’s absence could certainly open the door for Bart, but Zaidi also cautioned against expecting Bart to be thrust into a starring role (Twitter link via Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic): “This is a tough environment to evaluate young position players when you went in thinking they needed more competitive reps at Double-A or Triple-A.”.

Buster Posey Newsstand San Francisco Giants.

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All aboard the BART train.

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But if the universal DH happens there’s a platoon of him – and then it depends if either Panda, Pence, extend, Longoria (who is contracted to 2022 no?) and Bart as a DH on his off days.

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I really doubt, given the handling of the Coronavirus nationwide, that there will be any baseball played this season.

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The question is no longer “How can we prevent COVID-19” but “What level of coronavirus are we comfortable with living at?” They’ll be positive cases, but if there’s a big breakout then the season will be stopped dead.

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What i find strange is the NBA who has the most personal contact thinks they can restart the season.

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yeah, no NFL season either most likely.

the season is right in the middle of flu season and covid will be even worse.

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Good for him for making the right decision for his family; for what’s really important.

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In my opinion he is making the right decision

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In Posey’s case, not that he owes us an explanation, sitting out the season makes perfect sense

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I’m not sure the Giants would pull up Bart for a shortened season and start his clock, which for him matters less than others since he’ll be here nonetheless

As for the team’s chances in a shortened season, those just took a mortal hit

With no Vogt and now no Posey, there will be no experienced catcher to handle a staff with a good deal of turnover since last season

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they have already talked about giving him and other reps this season – trading service time for development since there is no minor league season

If Bart does well in SF and the fans love him, he will get extended just as Belt, Crawford, Posey, Pence did in their prime

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Posey clearly did the right thing here

Bart: Low IQ Fans need to stop yelling BART

Understand this, Bart isn’t even close to being ready to play at this level

Bart is a Blue Chip prospect

Organizationally, The Giants have WAY too much tied up in him as a future player or as an asset for potential trades

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I agree on Bart

The fact that Bart is on the 60 man roster doesn’t mean he would be playing for the Giants this year

The Giants are going to piece together catchers this year and Bart won’t see the field

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Gonna be sad to see Buster not in the 2020 season but the decision is understandable

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Were it me, though, I’d go 3 months without seeing my family

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Best decision for his family

Tough loss for the Giants but definitely the right decision for Posey and his family

I applaud Posey for seeing the big picture and absolutely prioritizing family first

Good family decision by Posey and also the Giants are in the words of Charles Barkley turrible

Giants will likely not be contending this year, so seeing Bart take is place is exciting

Giants are going nowhere this season which will be a short one with no minors play any way

Perfect time to give at least 2/3 of the games to Bart, and get him some experience