Veteran reliever Keynan Middleton criticized his former team in an interview with ESPN, saying the Chicago White Sox have “no rules.”
The White Sox traded Middleton to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline. He initially joined Chicago in the off-season on a minor-league deal but made the team and posted a 3.96 ERA in 39 relief appearances.
“We came in with no rules,” Middleton told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers in an interview Sunday. “I don’t know how you police the culture if there are no rules or guidelines to follow because everyone is doing their own thing. Like, how do you say anything about it because there are no rules?”
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Middleton gave several examples to back up his claim, including a pitcher sleeping in the bullpen during a game, players being late to meetings and players missing pitcher fielding practices. Rogers spoke to multiple sources who corroborated Middleton’s claims.
“The second I found out I was traded, I shaved my face,” Middleton said. “I was ready to play by their rules because all I want to do is win games. … You know how to act (in New York). You know not to be late and you know there are consequences if you are late.”
The White Sox have a 45-68 record under rookie manager Pedro Grifol, who replaced Tony La Russa. Chicago was one of the more active sellers at the trade deadline, moving on from starters Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, relievers Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly and Reynaldo Lopez, and third baseman Jake Burger.
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