.@whitesox suspend ace Chris Sale for 5 days after clubhouse incident prior to Saturday’s game. pic.twitter.com/uiGObgGvMt
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2016
Chris Sale commented on and ultimately defended his recent antics, which may put his immediate future in Chicago up for grabs.
When the report came out that Chris Sale snipped throwback jerseys in the clubhouse in order to prevent the usage of them, it seemed like a comical and worthless stunt.
However, the star left-handed slinger had a broader reason than the uniforms simply looking funny. In defense of his actions, Sale elaborated on the cause of his suspension to Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
When I saw that there was something in the way of that 100 percent winning mentality, I had an issue. I tried to bring it up and say, ‘Hey listen, these are my thoughts and concerns,’ and they got pushed away because of the business deal that was set in place. I’ll never understand why we need to do something on the business side on the field that might impede us winning a game.
(The throwback uniforms) are uncomfortable and unorthodox. I didn’t want to go out there and not be at the top of my game in every aspect that I need to be in. Not only that, but I didn’t want anything to alter my mechanics. … Looking bad had absolutely zero to do with it. Nothing.
His manager, Robin Ventura, was supposedly inattentive to the ace’s concerns:
Robin is the one who has to fight for us in that department. If the players don’t feel comfortable 100 percent about what we are doing to win the game, and we have an easy fix — it was as easy as hanging up another jersey and everyone was fine. For them to put business first over winning, that’s when I lost it.
Evidently, the 27-year-old was sending a message out of frustration rather than amusement. Arguably the best starting pitcher in the American League, stakes are high with the White Sox organization.
With the White Sox’s asking price likely being through the roof for their franchise cornerstone, perhaps it becomes more reasonable with the recent comments. The August 1 trade deadline is fast approaching for a team on an uphill climb at best in the American League.
With that said, it would be naive to think that general manager Rick Hahn will not entertain offers.