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GLENDALE, Ariz. \u2014 White Sox veterans emphasized togetherness for players around the league in wake of the surprising news Tuesday morning that MLB Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark<\/b> is resigning.<\/p>\n
Clark, who held the role since 2013, steps down as the players association is expected in the coming months to begin collective bargaining with the MLB for a new labor deal as the current contract expires Dec. 1.<\/p>\n
The league could be headed toward a lockout to start the 2027 season, with league executives seemingly pushing to impose a salary cap, which players have historically opposed.<\/p>\n
Andrew Benintendi<\/b>, the team\u2019s most veteran player with 10 seasons under his belt, said the talk of a potential lockout has only brought players closer together. The goal is always to prioritize the players\u2019 needs, even if that means sacrificing some games next season, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, I think we want to be out on the field. There\u2019s a lot of things we can\u2019t control,\u201d Benintendi, 31, said. \u201cGoing forward, we\u2019re always going to be together. Talks will happen and we\u2019re going to put players first and we want to be out there, we don\u2019t want to miss games. But if that\u2019s what needs to happen, we\u2019re going to be together and we\u2019ll go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added Benintendi: \u201cWhat\u2019s important is that I think all the players are in unison as we always have been. We\u2019ll be in discussions in the next day or two. We\u2019ll leave it at this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davis Martin<\/b>, the Sox\u2019s longest tenured player by service time, said player representatives planned to meet with the union Tuesday and speak about next steps.<\/p>\n
He and other veterans on the team expressed pride in the brotherhood-like spirit of the MLBPA.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re talking guys who have played together, guys who have played against each other for years all the way through the minor leagues, all the way through the major leagues,\u201d Martin, 29, said. \u201cYou get to play with guys and those relationships never change. I can call Garrett Crochet<\/b> right now and we can have a conversation with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnity across the board is our strength, it\u2019s always been our strength and baseball players in a nutshell are always cut from similar cloth regardless of country, origin, in general. That\u2019s our perspective,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Following Clark\u2019s announcement, the MLBPA canceled the start of its yearly spring training tour of all 30 clubs Tuesday, which was set to begin with the Cleveland Guardians and the Sox.<\/p>\n
The resignation also comes amid a federal investigation into the MLBPA\u2019s finances related to a youth baseball company.<\/p>\n
High praise for Chase, Braden<\/b><\/p>\n
White Sox manager Will Venable<\/b> raved about second baseman Chase Meidroth<\/b> and outfielder Braden Montgomery<\/b> \u2014 both acquired in the Crochet trade \u2014 as two guys who \u201cdid an outstanding job and added a ton of jumps in a lot of different metrics\u201d during the offseason.<\/p>\n
Venable said Montgomery\u2019s maturity stands out for a 22 year old.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a very thoughtful plan. Everything he does is with a purpose,\u201d Venable said. \u201cNot surprising that after a healthy offseason he\u2019s able to turn his body into even more of a weapon than it was before. He\u2019s an extremely physical guy that has put on good weight and looks great out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meidroth, who played a bulk of last season as the Sox\u2019 leadoff hitter, appears \u201cmore flexible and mobile\u201d this spring, the second-year manager said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe looks great running, it looks like he\u2019s faster\u2026 Credit to him,\u201d Venable said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n