On Michael Kopech's decision to opt out of the 2020 season

White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech and wife Vanessa Morgan

The Athletic's James Fegan wrote an article Monday addressing some of the issues that reportedly caused White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech to opt out of the 2020 season.

Fegan's report says, "Sources close to Kopech indicate he was driven by a litany of concerns, not limited to a short ramp-up to action, an uncertain role, uncertainty over the fate of the 2020 season, caution in determining how and when to best return to action from Tommy John surgery, and despite not being medically deemed high-risk himself, concern over how playing amid the pandemic could threaten the health of those close to him."

Certainly believable.

But Daryl Van Schouwen's reporting in the Chicago Sun-Times over the weekend was believable, too. Van Schouwen had quotes from pitching coach Don Cooper, who expressed concerns about Kopech's mental health. The 24-year-old right-hander has spoken candidly on many occasions about his battles with anxiety and depression -- and Kopech is to be commended for that.

The truth is, we as fans have absolutely no idea what led Kopech to make this decision, and it's fair to say he does not owe us an explanation. I've read online comments from fans both praising and condemning Kopech's choice.

I will do neither of those two things. How can I possibly comment intelligently about a decision I know nothing about? I've said all along that whether players opt in or opt out of the 2020 season, those choices need to be respected by all. These are grown-ups making grown-up decisions at a very difficult time in all of our lives. Everyone has the right to determine what is best for them.

That being said, from a purely baseball perspective, while the Sox can look forward to Kopech's return for the 2021 season, I don't think they can afford to count on him to hold down a starting rotation spot.

The kid only pitched in four MLB games before undergoing surgery in 2018, and by the time he next steps on the mound in April, it will have been more than two years since he threw a meaningful pitch in a game situation.

My mindset on Kopech for 2021 is this: Whatever he gives the Sox is a bonus. He needs to be the sixth or maybe the seventh starter going into the season. It's not his fault, but the fact of the matter is circumstances have his career stuck in neutral at this point in time.

It would be folly to assume he's destined for stardom, despite his tremendous potential.