Kopech stands in corner of future teammate Jay after online criticism
Michael Kopech recently criticized Deadspin for an article that referred to newly signed White Sox outfielder Jon Jay as bad player, though it used a profanity when describing Jay.
The website tweeted a link to the article Jan. 10. A day later, Kopech replied: “Y’all are trash @Deadspin.”
“I don’t know Jon at all, but without getting too offbeat here, if that was me I would’ve been pretty heated,” Kopech said Friday at SoxFest. “But I wouldn’t be the player to lash out at someone for making a comment about myself.
“I just felt like I could do it for him. I know it was probably clickbait or whatever you want to call it, but for me that was over the line and unnecessary, and if he’s my teammate I’m going to stand up for him, whether that’s my place or not. I just don’t think that was called for.”
Kopech won’t pitch for the White Sox in 2019 after undergoing reconstructive right elbow surgery in September but said it’s not going to get him down. Lucas Giolito went through the same thing in 2012 and helped Kopech get through a difficult time last fall.
“It made it a lot easier for me, because there were points where I was just devastated,” Kopech said. “I didn’t want to do anything.”
With all the hoopla surrounding his call-up last year, Kopech was under the microscope from spring training on. Now the anxiety is fading.
“That’s really what I’m dedicating this year to, being unapologetically myself,” he said. “I put so much pressure on myself last year because I knew where I wanted to be, and it really caused a lot of anxiety and even at points depression that didn’t need to be caused. I’m searching, finding myself, doing a lot of ‘me’ time.”
Fan favorite: Yolmer Sanchez made a name for himself last season by dumping a Gatorade bucket on his head after teammate Trayce Thompson hit a walk-off home run.
Who knows what he’ll do for an encore in 2019?
“I enjoy it and the fans like it, so I’m going to keep doing it until I find something better,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez could lose his starting job at third base, depending on whether Yoan Moncado moves over from second or if the Sox sign Manny Machado and play him there.
“If it’s not Machado, we’ve got a bunch of guys who play infield in the minor leagues and everyone is trying to get to the big leagues,” Sanchez said. “Everybody is talking about Machado because he’s a big free agent, superstar, gold glove, platinum glove. ...
“Who doesn’t want Machado? I just try and do my thing and try to get better. I don’t take anything personally.”
Sharing first: As Jose Abreu prepares to play out his last season under contract with the Sox, he’s faced with the reality he likely won’t be the everyday first baseman for the first time.
Manager Rick Renteria said Abreu has had “extensive” conversations with Yonder Alonso and himself this offseason about the two splitting time.
“I have spoken to him many, many times about trying to keep his legs underneath him, and sometimes using the DH slot would be appropriate to do that,” Renteria said. “He’s a little more open to it now than ever before.”
Abreu had groin surgery last summer, and a thigh infection ended his season in September. Though he was a starting first baseman for the American League All-Star team, he played the fewest games of his career and posted career lows in batting average (.265), home runs (22) and RBIs (78).
“What matters the most is how we can make the team better,” said Abreu, who turns 32 on Tuesday. “If I’m first base or DH, or he’s playing first base, it doesn’t matter. It matters how we can make the team better.”