That is precisely what has been discussed on this forum for months now...and the information in this post is wrong. There will be an appointment regardless - the difference would be whether or not the special election would occur in November 2018 or November 2020. Having another "open" seat in 2018 to defend was considered not ideal to most who discussed it. His successor is going to be appointed regardless - cotton1706 should ask the post be removed or at least the headline / content changed as the current content is incorrect (which I am not accusing you of doing this intentionally...but it is simply wrong information just the same).
If there is an appointment either way, the difference is that one appointment would last until an election in November, relatively quickly so the people can choose their representative (similar to a House vacancy) or an appointment that lasts over a year and a half, i.e. so the appointee can become entrenched and last forever (like Lisa Murkowski).