Everybody has their reasons.
For instance, David Price isn't in the same situation as Brock Holt. And that is one of the many realities when it comes to Major League Baseball players choosing whether or not to opt-out of the 2020 season.
Speaking via Zoom to the Milwaukee media Tuesday Holt offered a powerful reminder regarding the differing motivations and situations with each player. While Price (who has opted-out of the season, citing COVID-19 concerns involving his young family) will have two more years at big money left on his contract, the Brewers infielder doesn't have the same luxury.
At 32 years old and living life on a one-year contract in Milwaukee, Holt explained that even with his wife due with the couple's second child in September not playing really wasn't an option.
"I’m not in a position to opt-out of a season," he said. "I feel like if I didn’t play this year, my baseball career would be over. If I didn’t play, it would be hard for me to find a job next year."
Holt clearly has been all-in on what will be a 60-regular season for some time, working out regularly near Babson College while still living in a Boston-area home with his family.
He understands that he is still young enough to get more big league contracts, but not if there isn't proof of his production in 2020.
“I signed a contract to play for the Brewers and the Brewers are playing baseball, so it was never a consideration (to opt-out),” said Holt, who batted .297 in 87 games last season with a .369 on-base percentage. “If I was in a different situation contractually, it’s definitely something I would have considered with my wife being pregnant.
"If I had a contract with enough years or enough money to sit out a year, not play and not have to worry about not having a job next year, I think opting out would have been an easier decision considering the situation me and my family are in right now," Holt said. "Based on the situation I’m in, it was never really an option."
And if anybody thinks such a decision is an easy one, understand that Holt is now committing to being away from his wife and son through the season while she goes through the final stages of pregnancy.