(Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
It turns out Tim Anderson’s fight with Jose Ramirez is only the tip of the shaky iceberg that is the Chicago White Sox clubhouse. Right as Major League Baseball announced Anderson’s 6-game suspension, quotes surfaced from multiple former Sox about the troublesome culture within the Southside organization.
Former White Sox Reliever Reports Lack of Leadership
The newest addition to the New York Yankees roster, Keynan Middleton, reported this weekend that there were “no rules” in the White Sox organization. Middleton’s indictment went beyond the players. He outlined the lack of accountability provided by the org’s higher-ups. “You have rookies sleeping in the bullpen during the games,” claimed Middleton, “you have guys missing meetings . . . and there are no consequences.”
His report was confirmed by multiple sources, according to ESPN, including MLB veteran Lance Lynn, who said “I was there a lot longer than [Middleton] was. He’s not wrong.” Lynn was one of five key White Sox players traded at this year’s deadline. Top-end starter Lucas Giolito was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels. Relievers Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, Reynaldo Lopez as well as power-first third basemen Jake Burger all came back from the All-Star Break playing for different teams.
The reports of clubhouse dysfunction are almost too on-the-nose. They come only a year after then-skipper Tony La Russa was filmed sleeping during the middle of a game. The White Sox have underperformed these past two years, despite having superstars like Dylan Cease and Tim Anderson. The organization’s underwhelming play forged the microscope under which they now find themselves, with first-year manager Pedro Grifol suddenly in hot water.
Clubhouse Conflict Reported Involving Anderson and Yasmani Grandal
A report came out August 7th detailing an altercation between Tim Anderson and Yasmani Grandal prior to the All-Star Break.
Shane Riordan reported on X that Grandal was already prepping to leave Chicago before the break, and TA took offense to his attitude. After Anderson suggested that he would “pay for [Grandal’s] flight,” Grandal “slapped [Anderson] across the face.”
Grandal has publicly denied the altercation ever took place. He called the rumor “unreal,” and claimed his focus that day was entirely on getting spending time with his family.
What’s Next for The Chicago White Sox?
With the Southsiders running a fire-sale at the trade deadline and Tim Anderson being both injury-prone and generally unreliable, it’s tough to picture the White Sox contending for a World Series in the near future.
Still, optimists will hope these developments act as the catalyst for the organization’s overhaul. One case study can be found in former Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella. He was handed a lifetime ban by Major League Baseball for his role in 2017’s international signing scandal. Fast-forward to 2023, and the Braves represent one of the most respected organizations in the game.
The White Sox played better this week, but found out Liam Hendriks will have to undergo Tommy John surgery. That will sideline him until 2025. Still, despite the current climate, the White Sox still have a controllable core of players. All star Luis Robert and outfielder Eloy Jimenez are under team control until 2027 and 2026, respectively. Starting pitcher Michael Kopech has another year of control remaining.
The future is unclear for the Chicago White Sox. There is plenty of talent on the roster. The question is, can the organization foster that talent? Can they provide the support players need to develop the culture it takes to win in Major League Baseball?
