Lance Lynn Adds to Keynan Middleton's Critique of Chicago White Sox's Culture
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Lance Lynn became the latest player to openly criticize the Chicago White Sox's team culture when speaking with the media on Monday.
Reliever Keynan Middleton, who got traded to the New York Yankees on Aug. 1, made headlines over the weekend when he spoke with ESPN about his departure from Chicago. Middleton detailed a culture based on few clubhouse rules and little accountability, even sharing stories about pitchers napping in the bullpen, skipping fielding practice and dodging meetings.
Lynn, meanwhile, got dealt to the Dodgers alongside reliever Joe Kelly on July 28.
While Middleton was with the White Sox for just half a season, Lynn had been in Chicago since 2021. Lynn made sure to emphasize that detail when corroborating Middleton's takeaways from his time in the organization, going as far as saying that the reliever wasn't wrong.
Before getting traded, Middleton had a 3.96 ERA, 1.349 WHIP and 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings in Chicago. Lynn, on the other hand, was 6-9 with a 6.47 ERA and 1.462 WHIP.
Middleton has a 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP and 5.0 strikeouts per nine innings in two appearances with the Yankees. Lynn is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 0.923 WHIP across two starts for the Dodgers.
The White Sox were a solid 156-134 under manager Tony La Russa from 2021 to 2022, but the Hall of Famer was forced to step away from the team due to health concerns last August. Pedro Grifol was eventually brought in to replace La Russa after spending 10 years as an assistant with the Kansas City Royals, signing a multiyear contract in November.
A 7-21 start to the 2023 season slashed the White Sox's playoff hopes before May even rolled around, and they were among the most active sellers at last week's trade deadline. In addition to Lynn, Middleton and Kelly, Chicago also traded away starter Lucas Giolito, reliever Reynoldo Lopez, closer Kendall Graveman and third baseman Jake Burger.
While Yoan Moncada, Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. are locked up long-term, shortstop Tim Anderson, catcher Yasmani Grandal, closer Liam Hendriks, second baseman Elvis Andrus and starter Mike Clevinger are all likely to become free agents this winter. It remains to be seen what those veteran former All-Stars think about the White Sox's clubhouse, but they may join in on spilling the beans if they go elsewhere this offseason.
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