One of the problems with restarting the season involves keeping the players safe. That is a particular concern for the Oakland Athletics with reliever Jake Diekman.
Not too long ago, Major League Baseball owners unanimously passed an offer to restart the season for the beginning of July. It is a sign of hope, a step in the direction of having Oakland Athletics baseball within a few short weeks. But it is also just one step. There are many other factors that need to take place for the season to begin.
First, the Player’s Union needs to agree to the proposal. That is easier said than done, as the owners want to implement revenue sharing, which the union says is a non-starter. Then there is the matter of whether or not teams can play in their home stadiums, which could be an issue for the Mariners, the Blue Jays, and all the California teams. Last, and certainly not least, is the matter of player safety, what happens if a player tests positive, or what happens if the pandemic explodes again.
Player safety should be at the forefront for the A’s, as they have a player that is considered to be at high risk for the coronavirus. Reliever Jake Diekman has ulcerative colitis, which is an autoimmune disease, something that puts him at extreme risk during the pandemic. Understandably, he and his family have been following quarantine measures, especially as they have an 18 month old daughter.
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Diekman is not the only player in the league with such concerns. Obviously, the league will be testing their players and following safety protocols as best as they can. But even then, there is no guarantee that it will be enough to stop the spread of the disease should one player catch it, even if they are asymptomatic.
This goes beyond anything that Diekman can bring on the diamond. He is going to be a key part of the A’s bullpen, a solid lefty reliever that has struck out 467 batters in his 374 innings. As Oakland looks to contend for a playoff berth this season, they will need Diekman on the mound.
But there are concerns that go beyond wins and losses. There is the matter of keeping every player safe, particularly someone like Diekman who would be considered an at risk candidate. And that should be the primary concern when it comes to starting up the season again, not any financial considerations.
Major League Baseball may want to start up again, but there are other concerns first. The safety of players like Oakland Athletics reliever Jake Diekman should be at the forefront.