Adam LaRoche’s decision to step away from the game of baseball (and a $13MM salary) earlier this week surprised most of the baseball world and left his teammates stunned. The subsequent reports that LaRoche’s decision stemmed from a request made by White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams that LaRoche’s 14-year-old son, Drake, not be allowed in the clubhouse on a daily basis anymore in 2016 (as he has been for the past five seasons of Adam’s career with the Nationals and White Sox) added quite a few wrinkles to the story. That news has triggered reactions from teammates and the media alike in addition to yielding several additionally newsworthy items, which we’ll compile here…
- White Sox players have emphatically sided with LaRoche in the matter, so much so that the team considered boycotting yesterday’s Spring Training game, reports ESPN’s Karl Ravech. Manager Robin Ventura intervened and convinced the players to take the field, but the clubhouse is none too pleased with the front office’s decision on the matter. Per Ravech, there’s a division between the clubhouse (including the players and Ventura) and the front office.
- CSN Chicago’s David Kaplan reports a number of elements on the decision, including the fact that allowing Drake to be in the clubhouse every day was actually a requirement for LaRoche to even sign with the Sox in the first place (Twitter link). According to Kaplan (link), LaRoche would not have signed with Chicago had he not been promised full access for his son, and both Ventura and GM Rick Hahn agreed to the situation before LaRoche was signed (link). Furthermore, Kaplan hears that White Sox players had a “very heated” meeting with management wherein high-profile players, including Chris Sale, “really went after” Williams. Kaplan describes the meeting as “very contentious,” noting that the Sox clubhouse think highly of LaRoche and his son.
- Yahoo’s Jeff Passan hears the same, tweeting that Sale “absolutely lit up” Williams over the situation. In a full column, Passan echoes the sentiment that Drake was welcome in the clubhouse and goes on to opine that, while the White Sox’ request was not necessarily misplaced, it was poorly timed. Implementing this new philosophy midway through Spring Training should never have happened, Passan writes, suggesting instead that it should’ve been handled before camp opened. Moreover, Passan tweets that the Sox roster feels that Williams isn’t around the clubhouse enough to understand the dynamics.
- Outfielder Adam Eaton spoke to CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes about the matter yesterday, firmly voicing his support for LaRoche and Drake. “We wanted Drake in the clubhouse, and we were backing Adam in every aspect,” said Eaton. “…He chose family over allowing his son to be in the clubhouse and we respect what he had to do. … We can say we enjoyed Drake LaRoche in the clubhouse and everything he brought in the clubhouse. He brought perspective. He helped out and around, he wasn’t a burden by any stretch of the imagination.” Eaton says that both Adam and Drake are “probably the most respected people” he’s shared a clubhouse with, noting that Drake often helped by cleaning players’ cleats and assisting in drills. “Never a trouble in the clubhouse,” Eaton repeated.
- USA Today’s Bob Nightengale contests that the Sox were in the right to make the request of LaRoche. Williams’ main point in speaking to Nightengale is that there is nary a business anywhere else in the country where a parent can bring his 14-year-old child to work every day. The longtime Chicago exec made it clear that he thinks highly of Drake, and the decision was in no way related to his conduct in the clubhouse. “Simply, you have to make a decision from the management perspective or an organization at large,” said Williams. “We went into this season saying to ourselves, ‘We are going to commit and focus and not leave any stone unturned.'” He also notes that he didn’t ask that Drake be completely absent, but rather simply dial back the frequency with which his son spent days in the clubhouse. Nightengale opines that it would be a shame for such a respected player to see his career end in this way, writing that LaRoche should “rip up his retirement papers” and return to the club on Friday.
- The issue of children in clubhouses is not unique to the White Sox organization, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, examining some of the policies and measures recently implemented by the Red Sox pertaining to this exact manner. Rosenthal also provides further details on Sale’s words for Williams (links to Twitter), adding that Sale told Williams to get out of the clubhouse and stay out.
- In a second column, Rosenthal reports that neither Hahn nor Ventura agrees with Williams’ approach. Asked why he made the decision and broke the news to LaRoche himself (as opposed to Hahn or Ventura), Williams told Rosenthal: “This had the potential to piss people off and I’m the best one to absorb the heat. Period.” A pair of sources also told Rosenthal that the agreement mentioned by Kaplan, in which Drake was permitted to be in the clubhouse on a daily basis, “might only have been verbal” as opposed to anything that was put in writing.
I am kind of torn on this issue. I think it’s great that the kid can hang out with his dad everyday and be a big part of his life. But then I think about everyone out there in the real world and can’t imagine companies allowing kids to come to work everyday. Would you want the GM of the team bringing his kid every day? How about the manager? It’s a difficult issue but I am leaning toward the Sox on this
I was at first as well, but when I read above that it was a condition of his signing with the team, I kind of think that’s a cheap shot. I don’t know if it was expressly written into his contract, but to agree to certain conditions in order to get someone to sign with your team and then to go back on those halfway through the contract is a cheap move.
Absolutely. I don’t think it should have been okay to begin with, but if it was agreed upon, going back on it is pretty weak.
The article states that BOTH sides are denying what the other says. We don’t know the truth as to whether LaRoche’s contract had that agreement or not
There has been nothing posted on his contract details so I am guessing this was just a verbal agreement if at all and not a written agreement in his actual contract. Until Adam can post this agreement I am still going to side with the White Sox on this.
I think if it had been a written agreement, the MLBPA would have immediately filed a grievance. So I’m sure it was a “handshake” deal.
ALR’s terrible performance in 2015 also changes things. Williams probably wanted to maximize his $25mm investment and felt like this change needed to happen. Seems extremely reasonable to me and ALR should have been more accommodating considering he didn’t earn his paycheck last year. However, the best thing for the Sox happened as they don’t have to pay $13mm for a .200 hitter again.
While we don’t know the truth, the evidence that Drake has been with his dad for the last 5 seasons between two different teams speaks volumes as to this being a priority for Adam LaRoche. It used to be a person’s word stood for something. If Williams keeps his job, it will be one solid example of how “common sense” is no longer common. What player is going to trust them in the future? He has crippled the White Sox’ ability to sign free agents in the future. It will be interesting to see if other teams will trade with his organization.
He was ty old before signing that Drake could be in the clubhouse. That makes a huge difference.
This situation got very heavy, very quick.
If the reports that Adam’s Son being allowed in the clubhouse was agreed to and part of the deal for Adam to sign on in the first place – he has every right to be filthy.
While I don’t think a baseball clubhouse, or a place of employment for that matter, should allow children there every day – if Williams agreed, this is a pretty dirtbag move.
I can lay some examples here.. Read about Travis Shaw of the Red Sox.. It says in several stories how he literally “grew up” in the Red Sox club house to begin with under his dad, Former reliever Jeff Shaw. How many times during ST does everyone see Ortiz’s kid Angelo on the field? Even during the season??? I remember this happening with Yaz, many years ago also, don’t recall his kid’s name (he’s passed now), but “think” he even enrolled at WHHS one year, if not mistaken? Denny Doyle also.
This is nothing new, just Williams on one of his power trips that has (not shockingly) gone awry.
Jeff Shaw didn’t play for the Red Sox.
That part was my mistake when kept referring to Shaw and Boston..
I remember something else now regarding Yaz’s kid.. Believe his name was Mike.. He played what was then called “Colt” league Ball here at LEAST one year, or remember little league and Colt league, maybe other levels.
Have mentioned his ST home that was just 2 blocks from my house all those many decades back. It was lived in year round, tho admit didn’t pay attention to see if his kid lived there more than ST. His house keeper would see outside sometimes.
Mike is now a prospect in Baltimore
That’s Yaz’s Grandson who is a prospect with the O’s, I forget the name of his son who passed away several years back and is the dad of young Mike, thinking it is Mike also, been a very long time since thought of his son. Going back many moons.
For what it’s worth.. John Tomase at WEEI this evening has a great story on current and even older Sox policy with regards to kids in the clubhouse.. it’s exactly as I described.. Perfectly fine, as long as they don’t get in the way. Dombrowski’s own 16YO son is among them and even takes BP, shags balls..
Maybe it’s time for teams to plan ahead, and build a room for kids near the clubhouse. No reason not to make it family friendly, with all the money rolling in. Designate Sunday as the day kids can be in the clubhouse proper.
San Francisco has one. I’ve seen it.
I have lost a lot of respect for the White Sox for this. If none of the players minded Drake being their and say he actually helped do things for the team and was never a burden, what was the problem? It sounds like the only person in the organization to mind it was Williams. This could end up being a huge problem for the White Sox going forward if the team already tried to boycott a game.
Players don’t run teams, this generation of players wants to showboat and run teams now getting a bit much. Many teams have clubhouse rules that can change year to year based on performance or people on the team. It is a reason Ken Griffey Jr held a grudge against the Yankee’s, as they were very strict with players kids. White Sox can do what they want to do LaRoche can do what he wants to do, LaRoche is the only person not crying, he handled it correctly retire if you don’t want to follow team rules.
Players did mind. Multiple players complained about it to Kenny, which is why he addressed the issue.
Kenny did absolutely nothing wrong. All he said was that LaRoche can’t bring his kid 100% of the time, which was ridiculous to begin with. He said this before spring training even started. LaRoche didn’t listen and still brought his kid every single day of spring training, so Kenny put his foot down. Good on him.
And the boycott “reports” were significantly exaggerated from what I’ve heard.
Williams was absolutely wrong. Whether verbal or in writing, he overturned an agreement that was made in order to sign a free agent. He usurped the decision that was made by Hahn and Ventura, undermining their authority. Its now impossible to know who is telling you the real deal in the White Sox organization, because promises made today can change tomorrow. Williams should lose his job over this.
Actually, according to Adam himself, the agreement also stated that he wouldn’t bring the kid around anymore if any players/coaches complained about it. According to reports from local radio hosts with MANY connections in the organization, multiple players went up to Kenny and voiced their displeasure about having the kid there all the time. Obviously nobody is going to step up and admit it and risk messing up the clubhouse even further.
Kenny is just sitting back and taking the beating for whoever those players are, which is the only smart way for him to handle this VERY fragile locker room.
Agree with the decision that was made or not, I have to say that I respect Williams for handling the situation personally, because apparently the decision came exclusively from him. Had he of passed it off, it would have been viewed as hiding behind lower-level staff to handle something.
Williams should likely follow Drake LaRoche out the door. It’s a messy situation that he wasn’t wrong to undertake, but now it looks like he’s become a distraction as well.
Interesting observation – his action has created a much bigger distraction than Drake ever would have been.
Love that AL is gone! Agree that Williams needs to go and should take Hahn and robin with him.
Shouldn’t the White Sox be worried about more important things like figuring out how they can compete with 3 (maybe 4) other teams are better them in their division and checking to see what Melky is putting in his body. I mean he may need to get back on the PEDs for them to be able to sniff a chance to make the playoffs. Or maybe they should focus on firing that racist ***** announcer Hawk Harrell. That will give them something to do when they losing.
#StandUp4Family# …LaRoche you have my respect now.
1. Hawk is being phased out.
2. I hope everyone appreciates the irony of a Cleveland Indian fan calling out someone else for being racist while using a Chief Wahoo avatar.
Actually it was in honor for an former native american baseball player. You can read about it in something called a book. It has words and everything;; kinda like captions on the tv, Also, i will say and defame Hawk every chance i get. He is a low life piece of human crap. I met him. The sac of crap words I used for him do no justice to the kind of human he is not. The day he is gone from baseball (the sport I love) and forgotten in history and on this earth will be a good day.
What book? I’m curious because I’ve never come across any info that points to it being in honor of a former Native American player? From what I read, even the newspaper that created the logo has since changed its view on it.
Hawk is annoying and bad at his job, but you are acting as if he is one of history’s biggest monsters. It doesn’t bode well for your credibility.
well. you must not read much. His name was (forgive the correct spelling) I don’t want to google it. His name was Louis Sockalexis. Check him out. Interesting guy. Also, besides people like Bonds and Braun, Harrell is one of the biggest blights on baseball. He was a terrible gm, mostly sucky) player, and a crappy teammate.. So, yes he is one of the biggest stains on baseball and life. Also, meeting him personally, solidified that fact.
You are quite the scholar. FYI, the Indians’ official media guide says that the owners solicited sportswriters to ask fans for their favorite nickname, and the name Indians was chosen. The logo being a tribute to Louis Sockalexis is described as “team folk lore”.
I think you should focus on grammar and sentence structure the next time you read one of your many leather bound books.
For someone who says they go to college, you must have skipped a few days.The official media guide? hahhah..Won’t you just ask the government for the truth about aliens too?
Milo is correct it is team folk lore and in fact no credible source defends it. No need to get defensive. I too have met Hawk and not sure what you’re talking about him being a blight on the game lol
Actually is not folk lore. It would be if it was made up of two or three people. Sockalexis is not some made up idea. It has been suggested many times. At that point, it is up to the individual person to determine what they believe. Fol Lore is a mere stretch, in one, determining to take sides..You can credible all you want. I can say ESPN is not credible if I choose to believe it. I can say the government is not credible. You don’t get to draw the line. sorry. As for idiot Harrell.. blight is a cause of destruction, impairment, or ruin.. Seems the perfect word for him
I’m with you on many things, but I think the Indians name and Chief Wahoo are two separate situations. Bill Veeck created the Chief Wahoo logo as Indians owner. I think it’s two seperate issues. Some would find the logo and not the name offensive…some both…some none.
What I have read about the Indians, is the nickname came from other teams that referred to them as the Indians because they were the only team that had an American Indian playing on it. (Was he the Jackie Robinson of Indians?) Probably where the newspapers picked it up. I don’t mind the name but they should change the logo to a “proud” Indian.
I think LaRoche, being the son of a former major leaguer, wanted his son to experience all the things he did, growing up. I’ve coached football and baseball in high school for 30 years, and one of the joys I had as a dad was having first my daughter around for practices, spring, and fall, and then my son. Then, getting to coach them. My daughter is now an athletic trainer a day knows both games, and my son will be finishing get up this spring, and hopes to pursue either a minor league career or get a front office job of some sort in football or baseball.
If having his son was a condition of his signing, and then the White Sox executive(s) sought to remove that this season then LaRoche is doing the right thing. Of course, there are probably some other details that might never come to light on both sides. Adam LaRoche is a solid guy and respected around the league. Looks like the White Sox leadership made a bad decision here, but there might be some other stuff out there. Maybe they were asking him to renegotiate his contract too. We’ll likely never know. Sad to see a solid guy leave the game, but it happens every season.
You think this is unifying the team in such a way that they will win more games? Did you read the part about boycotting a spring game? This isn’t going to help the team
this proves williams is still in charge of the team, not hahn nor ventura. williams needs to go.
There’s no gray area here. The White Sox and Ken Williams were 100% in the right and LaRoche was 100% wrong.
First, LaRoche is an employee who works for a business. You don’t bring your kid to work with you every day, or even the majority of the time. You just don’t do that.
Second, David Kaplan is a blowhard meatball of the worst kind. The story of the White Sox almost boycott only got going once he started piping in. Many, many other sources not mentioned here have said that there were several players who didn’t like Drake LaRoche always being in the clubhouse.
Third, Adam LaRoche’s decision to walk away from $13 million dollar because he now has to follow proper business protocol is tantamount to him taking his ball and going home because he doesn’t get his own way. Some “professional.”
Finally, why isn’t that kid in school? LaRoche has been quoted as saying that his kids will learn more from being in an MLB clubhouse as opposed to being in school? Dumb. Just dumb. It’s a really good thing LaRoche has made all that money, because his kid won’t be able to fend for himself thanks to his parents.
Great job White Sox. Now, go get Morneau.
I know, maybe, at your job at McDonalds you can’t bring you kid to work but it is very common in baseball. Also, you don’t get to decide what is best for HIS child. I know you may not understand while being single, living at home with momma at the age of 38. I don’t have my kids in public school and I NEVER will. Public school is not the best educational option in most cases. Most of the time, public school is crap. So, before you go deciding what is best for LaRoche, how bout STFU before you speak.
This is the most pretentious, ignorant, and immature comment I have ever read on the Internet.
why did the big words I used too much for you. I can use smaller ones if that will help.
Listen bro, first, you didn’t use any big words. So that’s wrong.
Second, if going on a comment board and yelling and arguing with anyone and trying to demean people is what you need to get through days, then so be it. It’s just not necessary. They must not teach manners in private school.
If you say something stupid, I will reply. I am not you mum candy coating crap for you. If you want the teet, go somewhere else.. Their is no crying in baseball. If you felt demeaned, maybe you should talk to someone about that. I would not want something bad to happen like getting your feelings hurt.
Can’t believe I’m still responding to you.
First, there** is no crying in baseball. Tough to make a point when you can’t spell words.
And you didn’t hurt my feelings. You didn’t bash me, and I’m too laid back to care. But going after others to raise your own ego. It’s kinda funny. But like I said, if you like being an Internet bully, then have fun teaching your children those lessons. 🙂
i am no bully. You don’t know nothing about me. I just don’t sweeten things for people to make them feel better about themselves. Truth is noble. You’re just mad cause I put you ace in it’s place. Maybe you’re not used to talking to people at or above your capable intellectual level. You’re a typical WhiteSox fan who believes they can compete when they suck. They will suck this year, next year, and for the next few years. Unless Jesus come down to play all 3 OF positions, pitches for them in the 2-5 spots and does some closing, they’re not going win.. You keep on believing, though. It’s good for fan of team that suck to do that. Makes the season more interesting. I mean everyone is talking about the Cubbies in that town, so you gotta hold onto something, right.
I’m not even a White Sox fan, lol. I’m a Red Sox fan. But it’s okay if you want to jump to conclusions 🙂
There’s a difference between not sugar coating and being a bully. What you think and what others think are gonna differ, but you’re definitely closer to a bully than you aren’t.
Have fun, man. Good chatting with you.
Yea okay. In two minutes, I will hopefully forget this interaction took place with you.
Hilarious how triber4life goes after people for not being intelligent, claims he uses too big of words (educational was the biggest one which I find both funny and ironic based on his ignorance) and how people should read books more. Yet he uses double negatives and can’t figure out the proper there form. Love when ignorant people show their intelligence when they are trying to bully and demean others. As an Orioles fan I don’t always see eye to eye with Red Sox fans, but this time was very easy. Smh
Ok. Someone mad cause I dismissed the rather boring conversation and you?. You think shorthand texting grammar determines a persons intellect? Don’t get mad cause I find you rather boring. It’s nothing personal. I find most people on this world rather boring and crap. MLBTR is probably not the best place to talk baseball with actual baseball fans, This is more of a casual site (in relation to fans) but they do got great baseball transaction news. but I blame myself cause I logged on thinking today would be different. So, for that I was in the wrong. Be careful shaking your head. You may mess up what’s left up there. 🙂
Are you serious you find me boring? I hadn’t commented before then haha personally I see where both parties are coming from and I really don’t know all the details. So for me to act like I do would be foolish. You on the other hand seem to think you have the answers to everything. If you really are smart and shorthand text makes you look that stupid, I would probably give it up. But (and I think everyone here agrees) that blaming technology is just your cover of the fact that you are a first class fool.
Sn33 seems cool. Understands what I’m trying to say. I like to think that I’m reasonable for a Sox fan. 😎
Yea. that’s it. Personally, I don’t care what you think. Nothing you could say to me would matter anyway. See, I don’t put into stock anything anyone says on here. I don’t care enough. I am just conversing. You can believe whatever you want.. It does not phase me. At the end of the day, you have to go back to your life. As do I. When I’m done working Monday and I go volunteer at the hospital like I do 3 days a week, this conversation won’t matter. I don’t have to prove it to you. That’s fact. So, while you’re here on Monday commenting, I will be giving back to the world that help me have the few things I am blessed to have and you can carry on and talk with others and you all can agree cause it makes you feel good. If that what floats your boat, than best wishes. I’m not like that. I feel it’s best to be honest and speak your mind,whether someone else want to hear it not, as long as you’re not hurting another
Same to you. I can agree with a fan of any team as long as they aren’t a jerk and make valid points. Triber4life doesn’t fall into either of those categories. But we should listen to him because it’s Thursday. And it’s OK to post on here 40 times on Thursdays. But on Mondays if you post on here instead of volunteering (allegedly) you must be clueless. The best part is he really thinks he is smart. Pure comedy.
I know more about baseball and being a fan that you will ever will boy. I don’t have to allege (like most people on here and on this earth) to be a good person. I know who I am, It is my resolve of what I am and not it what peeves people like you off. That’s your issue. Not mine.. Honest people like me allow you not to be. See, you can stay home and pretend to be human while I am out in the world practicing it. Like i say, you can say anything you want. It doesn’t bother me. Your words are pretty hollow like most on here. I come on here to converse. You can reply or not. It does not bother me anyway whatsoever. I reply,because, I believe ,when you say something, you deserve at least my respect and time to get a response..whether you like what I say or not. I’m off til Monday, so I got all the time in the world.
Well I am honestly saying you are the dumbest person I have ever seen post on the Internet. Judging by your posts you don’t know anything about baseball “boy” but like everyone else I am done with you. To even call you a troll would be insulting to trolls everywhere.
*yawns* mad cause you’re forgettable at best?
I have read triber4life comments on many of the boards here. Your insight into the team is very insightful. However, your ability to handle a different opinion is “Trump” like. Nothing wrong with maintaining your opinion. It could have been done in a more civil manner. As I don’t recall seeing you respond this way in the past, I will hope you were just having a bad day.
Oh, brilliant retort there. Can’t actually debate the point, so you attempt to invalidate the arguments presented by making fun of me. I mean, seriously, how many years are we into internet comments, and you still think the best way to argue is to say I live with my parents and work at McDonald’s?
And keep in mind, I never once tried to say what’s best for LaRoche. But I can guarantee, even with your paranoid stance on public school, that any kind of school environment is better for a child than hanging around his dad all day in a major league clubhouse.
One more point for you to simply ignore… guess what? The vast, vast majority of employers in the world do not allow their employees to have their kids with them.
So, to reiterate, the White Sox were correct in this situation, LaRoche was wrong, and you’ve made a fool of yourself. Congrats on that, I guess?
I am not mad you’re an uneducated fool. Do you have kids? if not, stfu. Public schools are crap. So, you can’t say it would be a batter environment than a clubhouse. Every parent I have talked to said, if they could,. would not have their kid in a public school Their is not ONE advantage of a public school over a private/home schooling. I know this personally, first hand. Also, I can debate any point of baseball. I forgot more than you will ever know. I actually watch the games, study the game, and a student of past and present, unlike most. Many jobs (not public) allow kids to come with the parents. I work for a major healthcare company and my kids come to the office regularly, as do the other co-workers. Good companies promote family. I don’t bring my kids everyday to work but i could if i have to. They have in building daycare. A fellow employee had to bring their kid everyday for 3 years (along with their teacher) when their spouse died. It was not uncommon and never got it in the way or disrupted the job. It actually made us closer. So, look it up. Maybe you could use that google thing. It really helps.
First, it’s clear through your comments that you don’t know much about baseball at all, based on what you’ve said about Sale’s contract and Quintana’s ability.
Second, yes, I have kids, so I guess I don’t have to “stfu,” huh?
Third, and most importantly of all, you completely destroyed your own argument. You can bring your kids to work because you have a DAYCARE in the building. That makes your situation and LaRoche’s situation completely different.
Fact of the matter is, the Sox are taking a huge beating on this because of ignorance. Jerry Reinsdorf is one of the best owners in all of sports in terms of how he treats his employees and players. You have no clue what he’s done for his players’ and employers’ kids and spouses over the years.
I’m done with you now, but I really want you to reflect on this thread today. Maybe you can learn something about how the real world workds. Good luck.
Don’t worry. People like me will keep working, paying taxes so you don’t have to. Also, we brought our kids to work before the daycare, so your stupid,. if not flimsy argument, ceases.. It called. I work for a world class company. He is a great owner? No one would even know who he was if not for falling on Michael Jordan. So, check your facts. He stupid loyalty to one of the dumbest, worst GM’s Kenny Williams is baffling. His small baseball mind fired Larussa (who was considered to be a future asset in baseball) How did that work out? Let’s not forget the firing of one of best NBA coaches Thibodeau. Great move there. He got lucky with bulls cause Jordan was the GOAT. He won the word series in 2005., What else has he done for the ChiSox? yeah. nothing. White Sox are just the forgotten team now there cause of the cubs. Thank God.
You’re right, bringing kids around is very common in baseball. However, NOBODY brings their kid around 100% of the time. That’s absolutely ridiculous. Kenny did not tell him he couldn’t bring the kid around, he told them to just tone it down a little bit.
oh. I didn’t know you talked to Kenny? Many reports differ from that. So, it’s what you believe and I don’t believe anything the White Sox say. As you don’t probably believe LaRoche. He is very well liked and the White Sox FO? not so much, so i go with the player on this one.
LaRoche has brought his kid to work for the last 5 years, between two different teams. That leads me to believe him, when he says it was agreed to before he signed with them as a free agent. So there is at least one exception to your “NOBODY”.
Go read Ken Rosenthal’s stories on this matter then reread what you wrote. Most of it is incorrect. Not one thing I’ve read says anything about Drake being disliked by any player on the team. That’s why they held a players only meeting. Then your point on the schooling is completely wrong. They Laroche family puts Drake in school during the winter and he has a special tutor he goes to during the season. You need to be more informed on this before you post anything else.
What is wrong with you people? I never once said that the kid wasn’t liked by the players. But some players didn’t want him there, in their place of employment. Numerous Sox beat reporters have reported on that. Regardless, you don’t have your kid at your place of employment 100% of the time. It’s not good for the kid, it’s certainly not good for you, and it’s not good for the employer.
One less team the Royals have to worry about. Thanks Kenny.
Right, because Adam LaRoche was the difference maker in a White Sox playoff run this year.
playoff run? hahahhahah. Sir, you get the comment of the day.
And once more, you prove you don’t have very strong reading comprehension. My comment in no way indicated that I believe the White Sox will go on a playoff run.
What my comment did say, to those who can read, is that, of any potential playoff run the Sox could make, LaRoche will not be the difference maker.
No one on that team (besides Sale) could make a difference. Maybe they can clone Sale to play every position. lol
I think Chicago has a better chance than Cleveland in that division to make the playoffs. Actually, I think every team has a better chance in that divison
That’s great and sweet too. You guys have no rotation besides Sales. Your offense is suspect at best. Our offense sucks but we pitch every night. We have 3 of the best pitchers in the division. I would take Carrasco, Kluber, and Salazar over any of your pitcher besides Chris. In fact, I would take a couple of out AAA pitchers over anybody but Sale.I am not saying we will make the playoffs but I know the WhiteSox will not.
you are seriously misinformed if you don’t believe Quintana and Rodon are respectable. Just log off @triber all you’re doing is embarrassing yourself by acting like a damn child.
who says they’re not respectable? I said Quintana is an avg pitcher with above average stats. I wouldn’t take him over Carrasco or Salazar. I like Rodon stuff but I don’t like his ability to know how to pitch at this level., Also, i don’t have to log off. It’s a free country. If you don’t like what I say, you have a choice to reply or not. Your words will not change my opinion.
Were you worried about them before? If you was, u must be OCD.. 🙂
Your lack of public education is disturbing. Seeing your grammar has convinced me whatever schooling you attended, was a poor choice.
it’s called tecting shorthand. You should look it up sometime..With so many ignorant commenters/comments, i gotta save time and use it.
Yeah stl_cards16 you should learn it. Don’t you want to look like an ass hat like this fool??? Where do you sign up for that?? Hahaha Triber is too stupid to realize how ridiculous all 80 of his posts are.
you were worried about them before? smh
How come this kid is not in school?
He attends school in the winters and has tutors with him during the season, it seems. Not how I’d raise a kid, but that’s also LaRoche’s decision to make, and his school district back home in Kansas is apparently on board with it.
If you could afford it, why wouldn’t you? Your kid ends up with a superior education and you get to interact with him on a daily basis.
Of course his school district in Kansas is okay with it. They’re in Kansas.
That’s hilarious…I’m in Kansas. Depends on the school district. We’ve really got the wheel churning with this indoor plumbing and new fangled electricity. He’s barely in Kansas…Ft. Scott to be exact..that’s right on the MO line.
I thought dthong might have been referring to the verbose and eloquent triber4life not being in school,rather than the LaRoche kid lol
Williams comes off horribly here. To say that there is no other business where children are allowed to accompany their parents every day is to display that you have no conception how different your “business” is from every other business. Drake’s dad plays a game for a living and follows a long precedent of sharing that with his kid.
Right or wrong, Williams has lost control and respect of the players. I’d be surprised to see him still in control of the team by the time the season opens
This would be a great way for teams to get out of bad contracts, just ostracize their family.
Someone should have told that to the Phillies brass two years ago.
Yeah…Does Ryan Howard have a daughter they could have called a street walker?
So 2 days ago there was some guy posting a comment on this saying this was beyond being classy and he would never had expected this from the White Sox. He went on to insult the Yankee organization saying the Yankee’s would do a crappy thing like this and then said how his beloved Red Sox are above the Yankees cause they would put family first. Isnt that funny how the Red Sox implemented this exact rule this season? Where is he now? I wish I could find his post but not going to waste my time. Bottom line is there is a place for kids and then there is a place where kids dont need to be all the time. Club houses and dugouts are places for adults to let out there steam and speak freely. Not a place for a 14 year old child to be hanging out all the time. I am still in favor of this Williams decision as they are making a business decision. Adam can pay for a kid sitter with the 13 million he is making to put up crappy numbers anyway. He needs to retire as he is no longer able to play at a high full time level anyway.
I believe you are talking about “bigpapi4ever”
Yes that was who it was. Thank you AidanVega123.
Bye Bye Kenny… Reinsdorf will not want disgruntled players b/c some “management policies ” specially Sale which the most outspoken of team.
KW should suspend Sale for a few starts to teach everyone their place. A losing team showing it’s ass to the front office needs to keep it’s mouth shut and do their job.
Yeah, that would end up with Sale saying “I’ll pitch again after you’ve traded me.”
Yep.
Try to say “Show Sale whose boss” is absolutely moronic. You think he’s afraid of finding work? Congratulations on losing any chance you had at keeping that guy around the course of his career.
Sale is more important to that organization than Williams, or any manager. When it boils down to office honcho’s vs elite ballplayers, the players win every time. Even if they get traded, it’s still a win.
Look at some of these teams that just appear to have fun playing (Astros, Cubs, Royals), and it makes you think atmosphere and locker room attitude do attribute quite a bit to results.
For a player like Chris Sale, who is quite and keeps to himself on most things, to go off on the executive VP says a lot. It shows how passionate the players feel about this and how much respect the team had for Laroche.
I agree 1000%. I don’t follow the Sox real close, mainly due to Hawk and Stone (sound muted! LOL) but I admire a guy like Sale vocalizing his opinion, and that speaks volumes.
No, it shows how passionate Sale is about this, as several players were reported as being bothered by LaRoche having his kid around all the time.
And Chris Sale is not quite and keeps to himself – he’s vocalized his opinion for years now.
I believe that the report of others being bothered by Drake, came from Williams. If no one has stepped forward to admit it, it just shows that, if they exist, even they don’t support Williams. They are just letting him hang out to dry.
Thanks for pissing off and alienating your ace, Kenny. All the less likely he remains a White Sox longterm.
Breakdown or lapse of communication seems to be one of the issues here. Also a lack of existing team rules regarding family members access to the locker room that most teams have in place would have eliminated this problem. I liked Vernon Wells idea that would allow kids in clubhouse from 1-3 everyday and Sunday mornings. He also mentioned after the team wins, kids could be allowed in clubhouse 15 minutes after the game.
I’m so conflicted on this matter… First of all, Kenny Williams should have been fired for numerous reasons and I think this is hardly the worst of his mistakes. Second, its up to both sides of the contract to live up the signed agreement. If it is in writing that he’s allowed to bring Drake to the clubhouse then that’s the agreement. You can’t just change it because you feel like it.
However, the bigger issue here I think is what primadonnas baseball players have become. I have a much bigger problem with guys like Chris Sale worrying more about Drake LaRoche then the 2016 White Sox. I’d say the same thing if David Price or Rick Porcello reacted that way in Boston. Lets face it, the White Sox stunk last year. They’ve stunk and failed to meet expectations year-in and year-out. This is so much bigger then Adam and Drake LaRoche.
Yesterday, I would have told you that I’d take Chris Sale as the ace on any team. Now I wouldn’t take him for a league minimum. You don’t lay down on your teammates. You don’t publicly lash out at management. Eaton, who cares? But Chris Sale?! You are supposed to be the leader on this team. Shame on you.
well. that makes 1 of you who would not want him in their rotation.. good call
Not saying he’s not one of the best pitchers in baseball, but I will still point to the disfunctional Red Sox clubhouse that had to be dismantled, regardless of talent, in order to build a team that ultimately won the 2013 World Series.
There’s no coming back from a situation like this and if Chris Sale took the stance of we are here to win baseball games, the clubhouse would have followed. Instead, they are following him into chaos. That’s a huge issue. And I’m obviously exaggerating about not taking him for league minimum, but I think my point is made.
With talent like his, I believe Sale will be fine without the White Sox. Without Sale, they will be even worse than they already are., I mean they got Sale. and who else? Quintana? Rodon? Their is a HUGE talent difference in those pitchers.
Oh I agree 100%. There is no chance they can afford to part with Sale and I’m not condoning them dismantling the young core. I’m just pointing out that I think Sale made a poor decision allowing his focus to be on anything but baseball.
Its not like they are coming off a 2015 World Series. They need every ounce of focus to be on baseball with numerous teams with more talent on paper. I am concerned that this is such a big distraction from baseball, so much so that the team would boycott a game that’s getting them ready for the season. I don’t know Sale’s stance on that particular decision, but I certainly haven’t heard anyone but Ventura put a stop to it.
I give Ventura a pat on the back here for doing his best to hold the team together.
Boy, the more you post, the more ignorant you appear.
Did you realize that Quintana was the 8th best pitcher in the AL in terms of WAR, 4.0, in 2015 (better than Sale)? Did you know that Quintana had the 9th best ERA in the AL at 3.36, one spot better than Sale? That Quintana had the 5th lowest walks per 9 at 1.919? All that, and he was also an innings hitter, pitching 206.1 innings last year?
Facts show that Quintana is one of the best pitchers in the league, and the drop off behind Sale is not nearly as big as you erroneously believe.
To me, the WhiteSox better do whatever they can to make Sale happy. Sale is clutch. I don’t think him standing up for what is right is going distract him. If being on that team did not, this will not. He is clutch,. Big time. He is pitching for his next 300 plus million contract.
Boy, it’s like shooting ducks in a barrel now.
“He (Sale) is pitching for his next 300 plus million contract.” Which means he’s already had one. Which he has not.
Anything else you want to get wrong today?
Let me ask you triber4life, do you think that what he’s doing is going to help him get a $300 million contract? Or do you think teams are going to look at this and say, you don’t want to be a leader, you took shots at the front office, you contributed to a clubhouse in disarray and because of these reasons we are not willing to go past 4-5 years?
I didn’t even bother mentioning the contract implications because his agent is definitely telling him exactly this while I’m typing this comment.
You compare Sale to Quintana?. Give me a break. I did not say Quintana sucks but their is a MAJOR difference in him and Sale. Quintana is an average pitcher who stats play above that.. If you think Quintana can pitch the WhiteSox anywhere, you’re very diluted. Or maybe you’re a WhiteSox fan that actually think they can compete. That would be interesting. In 3 years, come to me when Sale is gone making 300 million and people be like. Who is Quintana
He doesn’t agree with the GMs actions, this has nothing to do with laying down on his teammates, or laying down when it comes to on the field play. He thought what Williams did was weak, and he let him know.
Not disagreeing in terms of talent, but I’ll say this. Quintana has 3 straight seasons of 200+ innings with a maximum ERA of 3.51 and a career ERA of 3.46 over 4 seasons and 734 innings pitched.
By the numbers, Quintana is among the best and most reliable #2 starters in baseball. I’m not even a White Sox fan and I can see that.
Its fine to have that discussion with your boss. Not publicly in front of your team when you are the veteran and ace of the rotation.
Again, I’m talking from a straight business perspective, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Unfortunately, from a business perspective, Sale handled this incorrectly.
From a team perspective, this does not help the 2016 White Sox win ballgames. So from a team perspective this was handled incorrectly.
Not defending Kenny Williams here or even commenting on LaRoche’s decision. I’m most disappointed in Sale for the above reasons. A veteran and ace of a squad should know better.
I guess you’re right. If he is a number 2 for the White Sox, Chicago is more in trouble than I thought. He is an average over=achieving pitcher. I am not saying that is bad but merely a Buerhle type. Him as a number 2 starter=no playoffs. I respect your stat googling but it does not change my mind and won’t. I seen him pitch too many games. He is not that good. He has that “I will fall off the map and you will never hear from me again stuff”. Seen it too many times.
You’re a tribe fan obviously and I’ve had similar feelings about pitchers in my division on opposing teams, so your entitled to yours.
But numbers are numbers and they are tough to argue with. If he were taking steps back, I’d say sure. But he’s only taken steps forward.
You would probably also argue that Kluber is a bonafied ace, which I could argue against much more easily then Quintana not being a high quality #2 starter.
Yes. his next contract, which will be 300 million (or close). I never said he had one. You’re shooting at straws there. Good trying to upset me. Nothing you could say could upset me.. I don’t care enough to let another make my day better or worse. Yes, I took my time and replied to you, so I got that wrong but hey we all make mistakes.
You don’t know reality of baseball. It all sounds good to say. Oh,we won’t sign that guy cause he has an opinion. Talent speaks, end of story.. Sale is not just talented, He is massively talented. In the end of the day, a team will not care.. When you can throw a baseball like he can, forgiving is easy. I mean if honesty mattered, people like Melky would never get another chance cause he is a cheater, liar. I know the dollars are a massive difference but it still would not matter. If Kershaw slapped Puig,in the clubhouse, would that effect his contract (next one) No. Teams see. Wow, he is the most talented pitcher in baseball today. Even the Yankees would have just released that loser ARod. They didn’t. Don’t work that way. In the end, Winning matters. That’s all teams care about. Sale is a good guy by what we know. It will not affect him the least. He will get paid.
I actually don’t believe he is an ace. Other tribe fans may get mad but I really think he just had a great year in his Cy Young year. Did he deserve to win it? yes. Is he good? yes again… Is he Chris Sale? Kershaw? I have a very hard time making that case… I love him as a strikeout pitcher and his sinker is good but in a perfect world, Is he one of best pitchers in game? I personally don’t believe so. Do I think Carrasco or Salazar is better? Yes i do. I also believe saying Quintana is a 2 more than a 3 is just reaching.. I never denied his stats (which at the end of the day matters) but watching him, I don’t think he keeps getting better. I believe he is at his tops now and will recede. Do I know for sure? no. History seems the best reflection and comparable to other with similar stuff,he will be average..
The Yankees didn’t release A-Rod because they would have to pay him $30 million a year regardless. It’s not really a fair comparison when Sale makes considerably less and has only 1 year left on his deal. In terms of new contracts, history says that attitude has a large impact on a team’s willingness to put up long term deals.
The better A-Rod comparison is there’s a reason no team would trade for A-Rod even if the Yankees ate most of the contract. They don’t want the drama that comes along with him. Its a distraction.
Chris Sale will get paid, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if this could be the difference between 6 years and 160-180 million and 8 years and 240-260 million. That’s of course pending he doesn’t come out and give a public statement that is drastically different then what supposedly went on behind closed doors. I’m sure his agent is not happy about this.
Kershaw got 215 million and Sale will get 180? Gm’s would love to live in your world. Next, you going say Trout or Harper will sign for under 300 million next contract.
Sale is not Kershaw. He’s not even David Price. He doesn’t have a Cy Young. I don’t think he’s pitched 1 playoff inning.
Market value goes up year over year, but not by $100 million in 3 years. In a perfect market, he would get 8/240. At 30 going on 31 years old years old after 2019 (pending that the White Sox excercise both their 12.5 million dollar options) with that class of free agents, he will not get maximum value. And that’s all pending he has 3 more great years.
If he continues to pitch the way he has, he may get up to the $200 million mark, but that’s a stretch.
Harper is hitting free agency at like 26. Completely different situation. Also position players tend to be more durable over long-term deals then pitchers. Harper will probably get 12-13 years and $400 million, but whatever team signs that deal is making a huge mistake.
Trout doesn’t hit free agency until he’s 28-29, so he will probably come up considerably shorter then $400 mil. Maybe 10/350? But thats all speculation again pending that they continue an upward trend.
Price is not sale? Haha. You must be a Boston fan. Price could not wipe the ball sweat from Chris Sale. Price is not in the class of Kershaw, Hernandez, Sale, I would not even take him over Scherzer. Dude, You’re dreaming if you think.otherwise. I have him out of my top 10. I say even someone like Darvish, Kuechel, or Kluber is better. Yes, price has pitched in playoffs if you call that pitching. I don’t even like Arrieta but I take him over Price..
Do you just post stupid stuff like this to get attention? Price is easily a top 5-7 SP. Darvish and Kluber are not even in the same area code as Price and honestly there is a gap between Price and Sale too. He’s definitely better than Felix Hernandez and better than Scherzer. Just because you don’t like Price doesn’t mean he’s not a top 10 pitcher. He’s easily one of the best in the game right now. And everyone would agree with that except for you.
I’ll take Felix Hernandez and Chris Sale over Price. price is getting a lot of chatter for not actually being in that class. he’s elite…but if I’m getting the choice give me the others.
I don’t need attention. It doesn’t matter to me if anyone every responds. I don’t need people to understand or relate to me. I don’t need that pat on the back to feel worthy enough to comment here. As far as Price, my personal opinion of him has no bearing on my judgment of him as a pitcher. I mean I hate the RedSox but they have more than a few players that are really good. and I like a lot. Maybe Price is in your 5-7 pitchers but I watch a lot of baseball and I go on many different boards, mind you, (and never have an issue) and even last night asked if about 20 people if they though david price was a top 10 pitcher. Only about 3 would take him. So, it’s not just me. You may be a Boston fan but it skews you as a baseball talent judge. As far as talent and stuff, Price is not a top 10 in my book and many others. I can assess many would disagree with me and it’s cool. Price may got a lot of attention cause he was grossly overpaid but it does not change my view of him or before. Felix is consistently in Cy young race every year.. How could you even say he is as good as him? That’s blasphemous.. As far as Price winning 1 Cy young, so has Kluber and Scherzer.. Also,, you can’t say Price pitched in playoffs cause what he does in playoffs in not pitching.. So, whatever skewed view you have because you have some belief Boston is going win it this year, it has clearly clouded you on Price, who is a very good pitcher but not top 5-7 as you proclaim.. What you going say now Pablo is one of the best 3b’s and Hanley is still great?
I’m an O’s fan not Red Sox so I hate seeing Price with Boston. I’m just saying Price has been one of the most consistent pitchers since he came into the league. He has a career ERA of 3.09 and has only ever had 1 losing season. Both numbers were better than Kluber and Hernandez career numbers. Kluber was also 9-16 last year. So you’d take that over Price?? I also said nothing about price pitching in the playoffs cause I’m aware he has an ERA of about 10 and is like 0-6. Last year Price was 2nd in the cy young race and Hernandez was 7th behind Wade Davis. Wade Davis? A reliever? Price won the cy young in 2012 and was runner up last year. Hernandez hasn’t win it since 2010. So by the sounds of it you haven’t got over the Indians not being able to beat him when he was with Detroit so you just talk bad about him.
Being a White Sox fan that actually thinks they can compete, beats being a Tribe fan that actually thinks they can compete.
Couple things. Wade Davis is a very good pitcher and is great in his role. Saying, just because, he comes out of bullpen diutes his value is shallow. I mean Aroldis relieves and is got more stuff than anyone on my team or you’rs. I think that is an unfair assessment. I think Price is a very good, consistant pitcher. I just said he is not a top 10 in my book and many others. Yes, Kluber was 9-15 behind terrible run support, crappy defense. Look deeper into the number and you will realize he was not that much different than his Cy young year. Also, Corey Kluber’s best year is the same as Price’s best year (minus his 5 games first year) and I would not for once say Price’s stuff is any better.. He is more valuable, as he is a lefty. Kluber, on the FA market, would have made just as much as Price would have. Only think Price has is name recognition. I know you’re a big market fan and you don’t get to see the lesser known players, unless it’s on a video game, so do more research about that. Also, I would not be mad at Price. We hit against him. Cabrera is the one that kills us every time cause he like Jesus with a bat. So, price really was not a factor at all. I give u mojo for being a faithful BoSox fan but again, your’e way off base.
I never said the Indians would win the division or the world series. I did say the Indians are better than the ChiSox. They are. Pitching is not even close. You don’t have a near enough rotation. Our number 8 starter could be just as good as your number 2. Yes, we are offensively challenged but we do pitch every night and I will take our bullpen any day (even though Jones and Petricka are 2 of my fave relievers) Looking at the Depth chart, you may be better in Cf with Eaton (maybe) But we got a better LF in Brantley, Chiz in RF is a squash with Avisail. (even though Chiz is miles above defensively). We have a better Catcher. You win at 1b. We have a better 2b, ss, We have a better DH, Frazier is a real good 3b and we have Uribe. (you win, enough said). Than the rotation, you got great Sale and solid Quintana and a bunch of guys that trying to figure out how to pitch or trying to reinvent themselves like nutcase Latos. I don’t think you’re the worst team in the league but I do say you are like the 4th team in the division and there is a gap between 3 and 4.. Also, it’s not just he team, the organization is one of the most un-honorable organizations I have even seen, with the people that work here. (Laroche situation doesn’t prove it. Just cements it.) Even if they were not in my division, I would root against them cause they’re organization is classless and losing Laroche (one of the best guys in that clubhouse) is a big issue, even if not on field.
If the players feel that the decision was wrong and want management to hear them, why wouldn’t you want your leader to be the one to lead the team. If it would’ve been someone like Avisail Garcia or Jose Quintana nobody in the front office would’ve cared. I’m glad Sale stepped up and the players are taking a stand
You realize that the entire situation only came about because some players approached Williams about LaRoche’s son being there all the time, right?
I think again, the main point here is being missed. The 2016 White Sox need to focus on baseball, not LaRoche, his son, his contract, his retirement, or anything else.
This is between Kenny Williams and Adam LaRoche. No one on the team should even be commenting on the matter. They should be focused on their Spring Training game and preparing for a long grueling season.
If the discussion is anywhere else, the players are doing a disservice to their fans and team. Unfortunately, I think this has more to do with Chicago’s frustration over Kenny Williams then about the decision. If Theo Epstein or Andrew Friedman were the GM and made the same decision, we’d all be asking what’s going on in the clubhouse, not what’s going on in the front office.
In Sale’s case, he’s a veteran and a leader whether he likes it or not and whether he wants to be or not. I think he needs to set his feelings aside and refocus the team on baseball. Not focus the team on taking shots at the front office.
But maybe I’m wrong.
So I see my comment was deleted again. Here are commenting guidelines here at MLBTR, can someone explain to me what rule I’m breaking?
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I made a comment about Laroche situation and in one line related it to the team I root for. No personal attacks, no bad grammar, no all caps, no self promotion, etc… A guy above related his post to the Red Sox also, his post is still up. Completely unfair.
maybe your comment used PEDs like Big Papi? Otherwise, I’m not sure.
I don’t want to get off topic here but there was NEVER any proof Papi took PED’s. He just failed some BS test and they never even told him what he tested positive for.
Ok. Does that make you sleep easier at night?
I can see both sides but I love hearing about KW getting torn to shreds.
I’m with Kenny here. I also think LaRoche was gonna call it quits regardless because of his back but saw an opportunity to make himself look like Mr. Family man. The same guy that lets his kid play with semi-automatic weaponry. Telling him to dial it back was completely fair, Kenny’s played in the big leagues, he’s been in the clubhouse, for Sale to pretend like he’s some out of touch executive is laughable. LaRoche can’t sign those retirement papers fast enough. A Justin Morneau, or even Avi Garcia would be an upgrade over LaRoche’s production last year.
Never mind the Morneau thing, won’t be ready to swing a bat until June. Yikes.
Even if so, by him leaving the way he did he forgoes 13,000,000$.That’s a heck of a lot of cash just so your looked soon as,”Mr family man,”.
Again, for those outside of Chicago who are only hearing what the national writers are getting wrong, as reported by the Score 670:
Williams approached LaRoche prior to Spring Training, suggesting that he not bring his kid to the clubhouse every single day. LaRoche balked at that. Later on during training, several White Sox players approached Williams about the situation; they didn’t like his son being there the 100%. That’s why LaRoche was told to stop using the White Sox as a KinderCare. Speculation is that the players who approached Williams were some of the new acquisitions, Frasier or Lawrie, etc.
Instead of talking with Williams or bargaining, LaRoche threw a hissy fit and left. LaRoche is wrong here, hands down.
Hissy fit? He retired. He’s an old man, he has the luxury of walking away if he doesn’t want to be there anymore. A hissy fit is holding out playing until you get your way (think NFL guys who do this constantly).
So what your saying and apparently the White Sox are saying is that the new additions (who have been with the team for around 4-5 weeks) to the team have more say than the players that have been there while Laroche played and have seen how the kid acts? That makes it look even worse on the White Sox management.
The Score, again, a local sports station in Chicago that knows a lot more about the team and the situation than these national reporters, is reporting that reports about a “boycott” by the White Sox are extremely exaggerated.
I sure hope so. I really like the foundation of the 2016 White Sox and I think they can surprise some people in that division. I’m not as sold on the Tigers and Indians as everyone else seems to be. I don’t think Justin Upton and 2016 Zimmerman make them a frontrunner again (if they get younger Zimmerman numbers, they will be really good).
Shame to see this distraction going on. Hopefully it gets resolved soon, with or without LaRoche coming back.
I’d have to say that Ken Rosenthal gets better information than sports station.
Based on what, exactly?
Based on him being correct about 95% of the time or more
Rosenthal is one of the best in the business. I don’t doubt what Rosenthal says. But Rosenthal also doesn’t explicitly say that no one complained. He just says that the players that have spoken up liked having Drake around. That’s a handful of players. I’m sure there are a handful of others that didn’t and that’s what other reporters and teamdave2002 are getting at.
What gets me is he’s saying that what he’s heard is that it’s the new players to the team that has complained. Why do they have more say on the team than the so called veterans of the team?
I think its pretty simple and Dave Dombrowski actually discussed it on WEEI this morning if you want to hear another President’s take (he defended both sides).
“It’s a feel thing.” I agree 100%. I think if the 2015 White Sox won 90+ games and the front office felt the team was focused and on the right path, this discussion would never have come up.
Maybe one could argue thats being unfairly put on LaRoche and his son, but that’s what happens when your not winning.
Most players like a Todd Frazier for example would never comment on this publicly. Great clubhouse guy that I’d be shocked if he ever comments on it outside of it stinks to lose Adam but lets focus on baseball.
One of my comments was deleted because I made a disparaging remark about Sandoval yet this guy, ” triber4life”, is on here ripping into people left and right? What’s up with that, Mr. Adams. Heck, he should be banned simply for having the nads, as a fan of one of the worst franchises in major league history, to rip into any one! Lol
Imo, the best case scenario from the perspective of most White Sox fans with the updated news is:
1-Adam LaRoche stays retired.
2-Kenny Williams joins him.
Couldn’t agree more.
He should have been gone a long time ago.
Personally, I’m sick of him interfering with Hahn. If he wanted to be the GM then he shouldn’t have accepted the promotion years ago.
Kenny Williams pick your battles! Unless someone made a complaint about the kid then this should not have been an issue. Hundreds of kids grew up in the clubhouses. Good job pissing off your Ace and causing a division between management and players.
Several players made complaints about the kid being there all the time.
Name one.
His Dad ply’s A GAME for a living. If none of the players HONESTLY had a problem with it then who cares if he is there everyday. My thoughts are though, no player is going to publicly come out and say there not OK with his kid being there but I’m willing to bet the farm behind closed doors those same players are thinking, this is were I come to get away from my family and be me. It’s impossible to be me with a 14yr old kid around EVERY DAY………………..
Everyone should also keep in mind that Williams and the White Sox didn’t kick the kid out entirely. They simply asked that he not bring his kid to the clubhouse 100% of the time. They just asked him to dial it back a little bit.
To which LaRoche basically said, fine, if I can’t bring my kid to work every single day, I don’t want any part of this. How do you defend that attitude?
Is this the best use of time for a team that finished far below expectations in 2015 and likely will again in 2016. Adam’s contribution to team was a bit disappointing but that didn’t prompt him to consider retirement? Perhaps more passion regarding winning and perhaps a tad less with regards to clubhouse visits.
100% agree with this.
I’m honestly shocked that the players would side with LaRoche on this. You are leaving them with no option at 1B weeks before the start of the season. You are causing a huge distraction over really nothing.
I don’t condone it as I like what they have building in Chicago and I think they have a shot in that division if things go right, but I really wonder if they are going to have to clean house of some guys (potentially including Sale) to get the rest of the guys back on track.
As a fan of the other Sox, I’m seeing fried chicken and beer all over this nightmare situation. Hoping for the sake of White Sox fans that this is sorted out quickly.
“I’m honestly shocked that the players would side with LaRoche on this”
I’m not. Despite his horrible production last season, he’s known as one of the nicest guys in baseball. He was well liked by the players.
I’m shocked, too.
Can everyone please stop pretending that being a major leaguer is like any other job? This fly, like Papelbon choking Harper, that never would in the real world. He doesn’t “work” for the White Sox; he “plays” for the White Sox. He is taking his kid to a park, not an office. This isn’t slightly comparable to the “real world.”
You’re simply not correct. Whether you like it or not, LaRoche does work for the Sox. By any definition of the word or any interpretation of the law, LaRoche is an employee.
But say you’re right. Your point is irrelevant. LaRoche playing for the Sox means he has to abide by their rules.
First, this is baseball, it is not your typical workplace. So comparing it to an office or factory is not accurate. Second, written or verbal, the White Sox promised LaRoche that his son would be welcomed. You can hide behind the fact that it is not written into his contract, but if you are a gentleman, you honor your word, written or not. The best solution would be for both the White Sox and LaRoche to release each other from the contract. Sox no longer require his services, and LaRoche won’t ask for the $13M he is owed. Let him see if someone will want him to play for them knowing his son comes along with the deal.
Here’s where you’re missing something. The Sox never said that LaRoche couldn’t bring his kid to the clubhouse. They simply asked that he dial it back some. That doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.
The more I think about it the more I wonder if this was Laroche’s final year regardless of all of this happening and he didn’t want everyone to know. That’s why he didn’t listen when the front office told him to limit the amount of time his son spent with the team. He wanted his son to be with him for his final year. Don’t know if it’s true, just a thought.
Put it this way, Who’s got worse at 1B? I’ll insult my own team and say Hanley Ramirez or Adam LaRoche? I’ll stick with Hanley, even if LaRoche were a FA. Maybe Pittsburgh has an opening?
No team is offering him a major league deal next season and I think you are 100% on point that this was his last year regardless.
If he comes back next year, Colorado should take a flyer on him. Why not? Maybe he finds his swing again at Coors.
I’m not sure what you were trying to say, but the White Sox will have Jose Abreu playing 1st the majority of this year (and the next several years). LaRoche’s primary job was supposed to be DH and to spell Abreu every now and then.
What I’m getting at is that he profiles even worse as a DH then he does at 1B. When you hit .207 with about a dozen homers, its hard to pitch yourself to teams as a DH. So he’d have to play 1B. Point is, there’s no team that needs a SS that hits .207 with 12 homers let alone a 1B or DH which typically profile as the better hitters on the team.
So it was probably LaRoche’s last year, whether or not he wanted to play in 2017. I don’t see any job openings for him.
This is an employment issue, not a family issue. I predict that Jerry Reinsdorf will have a private meeting with the team and there will be very different public quotes coming out of the mouths of Sale & Eaton (walking back their prior statements a bit). That said, from a roster & finance perspective this has worked out well for the White Sox. The organizational structure and communication in that front office appears to be a disaster.
I sure hope so. Sale really disappointed me.
I agree it worked out well financially in theory, but that’s given that they reallocate those dollars towards something positive. If they stand pat, I’m not sure its really a win or a loss for anyone outside of Jerry Reinsdorf. It will depend who winds up taking his ABs.
Does Laroche’s son not go to school if he is at every game?
White Sox save 13 million on a guy who delivered a 638 OPS last year. Why do I think Williams is smiling somewhere?. If Laroche wants to hurt the White Sox he stays and collects the 13 million
Companies renege on verbal agreements all the time. If its not on paper, it does not exist (well it does but its hard to prove and this unenforceable). Williams is an awful GM but does not know it, which is the worst kind.
Too bad for the kid, but something tells me he has a silver spoon in his mouth, so I won’t lose any sleep. He will get over it. Enjoy the sunshine, beaches and ball games kid
Baseball is different than a regular job. These guys go weeks without a day off throughout a very long season. That’s weeks of much longer days than the typical American works without one day off. Sometimes the one day off if filled with travel rather than actually being off. I assume that’s why many teams allow kids on the clubhouse otherwise the players wouldn’t see the kids most of the season. By allowing them they are creating a positive work environment and making the players happy. Thus improving morale. Obviously the morale now isn’t well in this clubhouse if several players are now upset.
The Sox didn’t say his wasn’t allowed in the clubhouse. They said to dial it back. His son didn’t need to be at EVERY game to have a good relationship with his father. Doesn’t this kid have any friends his own age?
The morale in the clubhouse wasn’t well before this. Some players complained about his son which is why Williams said something to LaRoche. Either way there was going to be someone upset.
Sometimes have to wonder if mlbtraderumors hires on trolls to increase the comment traffic..lol. of course I’m joking…but there’s some folks on here that wouldn’t have been allowed under the old system.
I suspicion a split in the clubhouse over Drake LaRoche, and Williams is covering for that…and it’s coming off like Eaton and Sale are speaking for the entire team. Someone, probably multiple players, likely drew issue with his presence. Williams is trying to take the heat so it doesn’t look like a clubhouse fight. Not sure how this goes all the way to the club president.
Fire Williams now! And take that want to be manager Ventura with you!!!!
Clearly this is a complicated situation. The biggest difficulty is in people (whether they are other players or people like us) who make proclamations based on not necessarily seeing the big picture. While my initial reaction is to side with the Sox, handshake agreement at not, I do have a few questions that I’d like to have answered. LaRoche is married with a daughter as well. This is being couched as a stand for family. What about his daughter? What about having a child needing a mom’s influence as well? How is spending 7.5 months out of the year only with people 10, 20 or more years older than you a good approach to growing up? I understand that there is a ‘homeschooling’ aspect to this. Where is the kid getting his schooling? What about the normal things a kid his age should be doing? If he spends every summer on the road with his dad, when does he get to play little league (yes I know he is older than that, but this has been going on for years and you know what I mean)?
Until someone can answer those questions for me in ways I don’t expect, I’m going to say that this decision is as much for the benefit of the kid as it is for the team.
Obviously the LaRoche’s have their own ideas about lots of things, childrearing being one of them. They are entitled to that outlook. They are not entitled to expect the Sox to share their beliefs.
“What about his daughter?” is a good question.
This sounds like a Republican Debate!! Calm down boys! It’s just the White Sox & a washed up DH where talkin about! He’s made plenty of money for god’s sake!! Time to chill on his ranch & rope some steer!!!
Perhaps someone should remind Mr. Williams that MLB Teams are NOT like the other businesses in America.
Most employees in American don’t do their jobs in front of thousands of people while being overpaid and given perk after perk after perk, while playing a child’s game.
I would think that there would be more pressing issues, two weeks prior to the start of the season.
This is soooo bad for the white sox. Preseason drama never ends with a good season.
It used to be what bonded the Oakland A’s versus Charles Finley, long time ago.
After shuffling through about an hours worth of comments on this, I decided I needed to say a couple of things.
First, “triber4life” is one of the dumbest people I’ve ever had the displeasure of reading on a message board.
And second – and more importantly – there are a couple of things being missed or at least not really talked about when it comes to this. I seriously doubt that in a clubhouse of 25 men that every one of them was “cool” with Drake being in there all the time. I’m not saying there was a majority that didn’t want him around but I seriously doubt that there was 100% unity with everyone being on board that it was okay. Also what about the players in there that only have daughters? Why is it okay that Drake is allowed in there because he’s a boy and the daughters of other players (and I don’t even know if Adam has a daughter himself) would have obviously been told they couldn’t come and hang out. How is that fair at all? It’s not. Which is why it’s not fair that Drake is given 100% access at any time that Adam wants him around. No company operates that way, none.
Of course Kenny Williams is going to get bad press over this and maybe he deserves it by the way it was handled. But I’m willing to bet there are very few teams that allow 100% access to kids 100% of the time. And probably many more that don’t allow the kids in the clubhouse the vast majority of the time. It was within the Sox’s right to suggest that he not be there all the time. It was within Adam’s right to say he didn’t want to play anymore and take his ball and go home like a little baby that didn’t get his way. It’s not within anybody’s right to say the Sox were wrong or Williams was wrong or that this is unfair. You don’t own the team or set the rules.
As Robin Ventura is my all-time favorite player, my main thought in regards to this saga is that I wish he didn’t have to deal with this.
Trying to put that aside, though, I have no issue with what Kenny Williams did…except if he didn’t speak to Robin and Rick Hahn before he acted.
I guess it all boils down to when is enough enough in terms of having a kid around at the work place. If LaRoche is going to pull some sort of power play over whether his kid should be able to be there all the time and walk away from $13 MM, then walk. The fact that Adam LaRoche’s son has become an issue for the White Sox organization seems to imply there is something else going on as far as the boys behavior. It doesn’t matter if none of the players have voiced an issue over Drake. Who would do that anyhow??
If having LaRoche’s son be a part of the team — and that is what he is if he is in the club house every moment — is in the contract, then why wouldn’t LaRoche let his agent handle it? Why is this actually news? LaRoche sounds more like a child than his son if he can’t see how this is disrupting the club and dividing the team from management.
The other players (Sale) should butt out and let LaRoche and/or his agent/MLBPA deal with this matter behind closed doors. It is none of their business.
Sure, there are teams MLB that prohibit children/youngster in the club house, even the White Sucks may have that requirement, BUT when this was discussed as a requirement for LaRoche to sign with the team, IT HAS to be honored otherwise Adam can take them to court and sue them over his 2016 13 million salary. HOPE he does….
Good luck proving that if it’s not in writing.
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives………..
.207/.293/.340