Recently-traded White Sox pitcher rips organization for ‘no rules’ culture

Former Chicago White Sox reliever Keynan Middleton blasts the organization for their lack of team rules and perceived wild west culture.

Middleton was traded to the New York Yankees at the deadline, a move he relished at the time. The former Chicago relief pitcher was not a fan of how first-year manager Pedro Grifol ran things. Grifol is known as a players-first manager, but the lack of authority in the White Sox clubhouse led to what Middleton describes as all-out chaos.

“We came in with no rules,” Middleton said, per ESPN. “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? You have rookies sleeping in the bullpen during the game. You have guys missing meetings. You have guys missing PFPs (pitcher fielding practices), and there are no consequences for any of this stuff.”

White Sox: Keynan Middleton calls out organization

Rich Hahn’s first sale was well timed, but ultimately the eulogy for a very short Chicago contention window — in fact, it lasted just over 1.5 years, if that. The Sox tore down what they worked so hard to establish, all in part because they couldn’t find the right man to lead. It’s unclear if Grifol will fare much better than Tony La Russa.

“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 [here]. You know not to be late and you know there are consequences if you are late.”

Unfortunately for Middleton, he might be a little disappointed with what he finds in the Bronx. These 2023 Yankees — while definitely a better situation than on the south side of Chicago — are unlikely to make the postseason.

If anything, that speaks volumes to the rebuild the White Sox are ultimately facing.