AL Central

The Lake County Captains, High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, have set a new standard for Minor League Baseball promotions.

Lake County announced on Friday a partnership with Roto-Rooter to create a first-of-its-kind toilet row "throne seating" at Classic Auto Group Park.

why sit on the toilet & play on your phone..
when you can sit on a toilet & watch an entire baseball game?!

read more here 🚽 https://t.co/HwvEPujvsF pic.twitter.com/QRQ78vxaDc

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) June 28, 2024

now you'll never miss an inning of ball pic.twitter.com/dtXwBKLtrA

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) June 28, 2024

https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1806728553607594388

The seats will be available to fans starting with Friday's game against the Great Lakes Loons. Amenities for the special thrones include personalized attention from a dedicated bathroom attendant who will provide various items like mouthwash, comb and gum to guests.

"Everyone deserves a VIP experience, and with Toilet Row, we're taking that to a whole new level," said Jen Yorko, General Manager of the Lake County Captains. "Thanks to Roto-Rooter, fans can now enjoy the game from the best 'seat' in the house."

The seats are located directly behind home plate. There are only eight toilet seats available, with the tickets selling for around $16 per game.

Two fans will have the opportunity to win a spot in the throne row as part of the Roto-Rooter's Plunger Challenge. The game sounds similar to a javelin throw, except with a plunger being thrown at a specific target on the field.

The winner of the game receives a "prime spot" in one of the toilet seats.

Lake County is having an outstanding year, not just because of its innovative in-game seating options. The Captains enter Friday with the best record in the Midwest League (45-27) and have already clinched a playoff spot by finishing atop the East division standings in the first half.

Fans who want a chance to sit in the throne row might need to act quickly. There are only 30 home games remaining in the regular season.

The Chicago White Sox are planning on managing the workload of starting pitcher Garrett Crochet for the rest of the season.

"We're going to start dwindling his workload down a little bit, and we'll manage that correctly," White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said on Tuesday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "But it's not something we're going to put out and say, 'Here's what we're doing,' because nothing in this game is black and white."

As Chicago has continued its dismal season with an American League-worst 21-60 record, Crochet has generated plenty of trade rumors. Jon Heyman of the New York Post revealed that the New York Yankees were among several contenders interested in trading for him on Thursday.

Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney and Katie Woo of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Los Angeles Dodgers have also explored the option of pursuing Crochet.

The 25-year-old built upon a promising 2023 season, looking even better in 2024. In 17 starts, he owns a 6-6 record to go along with a 3.05 ERA. His 130 strikeouts lead all American League pitchers and he's walked just 20 batters in 94.1 innings.

THIRTEEN!

Garrett Crochet is DEALING tonight for the @whitesox. pic.twitter.com/89cYRnorah

— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2024

After amassing just 73 total innings of work from 2020 through 2023, the White Sox appear to be cautious with his pitch count following his emergence as a tremendous starter. Crochet missed the entire 2022 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery.

As Chicago manages Crochet's workload, the Yankees and other contenders should remain highly interested in acquiring him ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

The Chicago White Sox have reportedly discussed Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker as a replacement for current manager Pedro Grifol, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

"While Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol's future is uncertain past this season, one name that is floating around internally as a potential replacement in 2025 is Skip Schumaker, manager of the Miami Marlins," Nightengale wrote. "Schumaker, the reigning NL manager of the year, played seven years in St. Louis for Tony La Russa, who will be an integral part of the decision-making process."

The report comes amid a disastrous 21-57 start to the White Sox's season. In Grifol's first season with the team a year ago, Chicago finished 61-101.

Nightengale reported earlier in June that the White Sox have "no immediate plans" to fire Grifol, as the team believes its "fate isn't going to change" regardless of who the manager is. Nightengale did note that Chicago plans to reevaluate things this winter, which could lead to Grifol's firing and the pursuit of Schumaker.

But things aren't going much better for Schumaker's Marlins after they reached the postseason a year ago. Miami currently sits at the bottom of the NL East at 26-50 and it has virtually no chance of reaching the playoffs barring a miraculous turnaround.

As Nightengale noted, Schumaker has a connection to Tony La Russa, who currently serves as a senior advisor to the White Sox. That connection could lead to Schumaker being Chicago's first call this offseason should it part ways with Grifol.

The perfect storm is brewing for a potential trade in Chicago.

The White Sox are an MLB-worst 19-53 this season, so they should be sellers. Garrett Crochet has been one of the few bright spots as a converted starter, with a 0.89 WHIP in 15 starts and an MLB-best 116 strikeouts, so he'll have plenty of suitors. The San Diego Padres likely will be one of them, having previously expressed interest in his services.

But don't expect him to come cheap.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the White Sox reportedly "realize that Crochet's value may never be higher so their asking price is exorbitant, hoping that contenders aren't deterred by Crochet's injury history and the need to curtail his innings in the second half, perhaps making him a reliever in the postseason."

The White Sox can ill afford to get the Crochet trade wrong. Few teams in baseball have been more disappointing, so restocking the farm system with talented prospects is a must. The 24-year-old's limited experience as a starter, however, may also cap the potential return the White Sox can fetch in a trade.

But if he remains with the team past the trade deadline, it would be a surprise.

The Detroit Tigers announced Tuesday they placed shortstop Javier Báez on the 10-day injured list because of lumbar spine inflammation.

His stint on the IL is retroactive to Sunday.

Detroit also recalled infielder Ryan Kreidler from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move.

Báez has been fairly durable for much of his career and appeared in 136 or more games every season since 2016 outside of the shortened 2020 campaign, when he appeared in 59 of 60 contests.

This is his third season with the Tigers after spending the first seven-plus years of his career on the Chicago Cubs until they traded him to the New York Mets in 2021.

His resume includes a World Series crown, Silver Slugger award, Gold Glove and two All-Star selections from his time on the Cubs, although he has struggled to find consistency in Detroit and is slashing .183/.209/.247 with one home run and 25 RBI in 53 games this season.

Look for the Tigers to turn toward Zach McKinstry and Kreidler to help cover for Báez in the infield following this setback.

Minnesota Twins fans have to wait no longer.

The team unveiled its City Connect jerseys Monday, with the new threads set to debut in Friday's game against the Oakland Athletics.

We represent the Land of 10,000 Lakeshttps://t.co/bcodsrdnT5 pic.twitter.com/1buPyI4RXr

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 10, 2024

The Ripple Effecthttps://t.co/bcodsrdnT5 pic.twitter.com/DkTugzDFeu

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 10, 2024

The design is inspired by the state's nickname as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes."

"Our uniform is soaked in the blues of our water, with subtle shifts from dark to light and back again, like waves weaving across our lakes," the Twins said. "Yellow accents shine like a ray of Minnesota sunlight."

The Nike City Connect jerseys are self-explanatory in that they typically honor the city in which a team plays. Heather Hinkel, the Twins' vice president of brand marketing, explained they took a more expansive view.

"We really wanted to talk about an experience everybody across our state has had," she said to ESPN's Anthony Gharib. "And it's truly that sitting by a water understanding, hearing it come and ripple in and seeing the sunset, that is an experience, no matter who you are, where you're located, that is something that you can experience and find that sense of peace and serenity around the lake."

There are smaller elements of the jerseys that reflect distinct features associated with Minnesota.

The North Star is included in the primary and secondary logos. The state bird, the common loon, is profiled on the sleeve patch. The hats even have a subtle nod to one of Minnesota's most famous celebrities, the late musician Prince.

The topographical map of Lake Minnetonka under the brim of the hat is the Twins' nod to Prince.

Byron Buxton: "I like that part a lot. Just little bitty things like that that kind of make it cool." pic.twitter.com/GKucfqSEo5

— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) June 10, 2024

Some fans might be disappointed the Twins didn't lean more into a Prince-centric theme. The NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves did that one year with their City Edition uniforms, creating something totally unique from their traditional branding.

"LET'S GO CRAZY"

Timberwolves unveil Prince inspired City Edition uniforms pic.twitter.com/ayJmAbrXqX

— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) November 1, 2018

"People know Prince is from here, but it's not the only thing our state's known for," Hinkel told Gharib. "We actually think our state's more known for how many lakes that we have. And so we felt like if we were going to tell a first story in our City Connect uniform, that we better double down on the essence of our state. But that's not to say Prince isn't off the table for future years."

Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet expressed his desire to remain with the team despite his recent involvement in trade rumors.

"It's a huge compliment but at the end of the day, if I go out there and I have one bad outing, it could be completely derailed," Crochet said on the White Sox Talk Podcast (h/t NBC Sports Chicago). "Regardless of that, or not, I love being with the team that drafted me. I think it's everybody's dream with the team that drafts them and the team they debut with to kinda transform their whole career there."

Despite a rough start to the season from the White Sox, the 24-year-old's strong play has been a silver lining. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the San Diego Padres are interested in Crochet.

Despite Chicago's unsightly 16-48 record, the left-hander has emerged as one of the better pitchers in the American League with a deadly fastball. Through 13 starts, he's compiled a 3.49 ERA while racking up 93 strikeouts compared to just 15 walks in 69.2 innings of work.

Garrett Crochet tied his career high with 11 strikeouts for the @WhiteSox. pic.twitter.com/QiwdQ2r2p0

— MLB (@MLB) May 26, 2024

It's easy to see why contending teams are enticed by Crochet on the trade market given his age, production, and contract. He's making just $800,000 in 2024, with two more arbitration-eligible years left on his deal (via Spotrac).

The Padres' interest in particular is clear, as they're desperately in need of some rotation help after Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove were both placed on the 15-day injured list due to groin and elbow injuries respectively.

While Crochet prefers to stay with the White Sox, he views the trade rumors as praise.

"It's a huge compliment," Crochet said, per NBC Sports Chicago. "To have your name mentioned in a trade, typically, I guess it's 50-50, but typically it's going to a team that's buying and a team that's competing at the deadline."

Although he may want to remain in Chicago, the White Sox could decide to pull the trigger on a potential deal once the July 30 trade deadline gets closer.

Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is reportedly on the trade block as the team is "actively seeking packages" for him, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"The White Sox are actively seeking packages for Robert, and with two team options at a club friendly $20 million and just $63M to go through 2027 (assuming the options are exercised), he combines control and talent like no one else out there," Heyman wrote. "Worry over injury history is the negative heard. But many need outfielders (Dodgers, Phillies, Royals, etc.) Chances to be dealt: Good."

Robert missed nearly two months of action while dealing with a right hip flexor strain, but made his return on Tuesday. In nine games, the 26-year-old has eight hits and five RBI, hitting a .216 batting average.

In his return from injury, Robert went 2-for-4 with a home run in the White Sox loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Robert had a breakout season in his fourth MLB campaign a year ago, collecting 38 home runs, 80 RBI and a .264 batting average. While the start of the 2024 season has gotten off to a slow start with his injury, he's looking to continue his solid production now that he's back on the field.

The 15-47 White Sox are looking for an answer to their problems, and trading Robert could give them some pieces to build around in the future.

Among other possible trade candidates could be left-handed starting pitcher Garrett Crochet, who is reportedly being pursued by the San Diego Padres. The fourth-year player has a 3.49 ERA with 93 strikeouts in 13 starts this year.

While it's not clear whether Crochet is on the trade block along with Robert, hearing the Padres' out on a potential offer could be beneficial for Chicago.

However the White Sox decide to approach the rest of the season, a postseason push seems unlikely at this point, and it might be time to start planning for next year.

Adding to the ongoing tension for the Chicago White Sox, who own the worst record in MLB (15-46), is the possibility that manager Pedro Grifol's job status is up in the air right now.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, one anonymous White Sox player explained one recent "misstep" on Grifol's part was going public with his recent comments describing the team's play as "f--king flat" after delivering it to the players behind closed doors in the locker room.

Grifol made the comment during his postgame press conference following a May 26 loss to the Baltimore Orioles (warning: contains strong language).

Pedro Grifol on the team’s performance today

“Fucking flat” https://t.co/HoGXSpJULc pic.twitter.com/ETahn20vDm

— CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) May 27, 2024

That wasn't the only time Grifol was critical of the team. In fact, he came back the next day after a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays and said he was "doubling down" on his original comment.

"I thought we were flat," he added. "And that's where I'm going to leave it. They have their opinions. I have mine. This is not divided by any means. This is not them against Pedro, Pedro against them. It's just a situation. I thought we were flat. They didn't think we were flat. It's over. We gotta go out there and play baseball."

Grifol's decision to double down came when some White Sox players weren't happy that he went public with the comments.

Korey Lee: “He’s going to feel that way, and obviously we’re going to have a different feeling. He’s entitled to his own opinion, and we are also. I think it’s a valid reason. There’s nothing to hide about that. He has opinions, and other people are going to have their opinions.”

— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) May 26, 2024

One White Sox player who spoke to Rosenthal was sympathetic to Grifol, noting the original comment was an attempt to motivate the club and explained "it's really hard to judge him when you have a team made up like this and all these injuries."

It's hard to fully blame Grifol for the situation his team is in right now, though he doesn't seem to be helping matters. They went 61-101 last year in his first season and made their roster worse during the offseason, most notably by trading Dylan Cease to the Orioles in March.

Their biggest free-agent expenditure was a two-year, $15 million deal for Erick Fedde. General manager Chris Getz, who is in his first full season, is undertaking a long rebuilding effort, despite owner Jerry Reinsdorf's desire for things to get better quickly.

Chicago's .246 winning percentage is on pace to be the worst for any MLB team since the regular season expanded to 162 games in 1961. The 1962 New York Mets currently hold the record with a .250 winning percentage (40-120-1).

The White Sox are in the midst of a 12-game losing streak. It's their third losing streak of at least five games this season.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham and Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras had words on Sunday after Pham was thrown out at the plate in the top of the eighth inning as he tried to tie the game, appearing to slide directly into the catcher.

Pham was HEATED after being thrown out at the plate pic.twitter.com/wooYjRCHqg

— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) June 2, 2024

Contreras barked at him after the play while heading back to his dugout, Pham had to be held back by teammates and after the game appeared to still be heated.

“There’s a reason I do all kinds of fighting in the offseason. Because I’m prepared to f—- somebody up” -Tommy Pham pic.twitter.com/REBPGPj5BX

— CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) June 2, 2024

"I'm nailed out at home by a mile, I'm going to the dugout and I hear the tough guy with all the 'hoo-rah' s--t," Pham told reporters. "I'm never starting anything, but I'll be prepared to finish it. There's a reason I do all kinds of fighting in the offseason. Because I'm prepared to f--k somebody up."

Contreras had a slightly less colorful take on the situation.

"I wasn't really paying attention to what he had to say," he told reporters after the game. "I was just excited about the play and went back to the dugout."

William Contreras took a bit, shall we say, different approach when asked about Pham after the game. https://t.co/BkxrwctXpO pic.twitter.com/bTkbT45xGp

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) June 2, 2024

"I've got no idea," he added when asked if Pham was yelling directly at him. "The only thing I'm worried about is us, our players, and about winning the game. So I'm not sure."

The Brewers went on to do just that by a 6-3 margin, completing the series sweep. It was a familiar sort of result for the 15-45 White Sox, easily the worst team in baseball. For context, every other team in the Majors has at least 21 wins this season.

Pham, 36, is no stranger to a dust-up. Most notably, he once slapped Joc Pederson over fantasy football trash talk.

As for his play on the field this year, he's hitting .280 with three homers and 12 RBI in 33 games, making a positive impact for the White Sox since being signed in mid-April. His manager, Pedro Grifol, had praise for him shortly after he was brought aboard.

"You know what's noticeable about him? The attention to detail and the fundamentals," he told reporters on April 28. "When he feels he's not executing something, he's pissed. That's big. That's a tremendous trait for a player that is constantly thinking about winning games and doing the little things."

On Sunday, however, he was pissed for different reasons.