Will Middlebrooks isn’t living under a rock. He’s heard the trade rumors, and he understands that they’ll probably continue up until 4 p.m. Wednesday. The 24-year-old doesn’t seem too concerned, though.
“I have a Twitter (account), but I’m not on it. I’m just trying to keep my nose out of it,” Middlebrooks said, according to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. “But I hear from all the guys. I hear about Jake Peavy … I’ve heard Jake Peavy. I’ve heard Cliff Lee.
“All these guys in here who bring it up to me are like, ‘You’re going to get traded to the White Sox. That would be a good opportunity.’ I have a good opportunity here. I don’t need to get traded to have a good opportunity.”
Middlebrooks was demoted back to Triple-A on June 25 after a very slow start to the season. The third baseman hit just .192 with a .228 on-base percentage in 53 games with the Red Sox. Recently, Middlebrooks has started to right the ship down in Pawtucket, although his name was the subject of a trade rumor earlier in the week involving White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy.
WEEI.com reported after the initial rumor that the Red Sox and White Sox have not had any discussions involving Middlebrooks. There’s since been plenty of speculation, though, especially given Boston’s need for pitching and the Red Sox organization’s apparent surplus of third base talent.
In the end, all of the speculation involving Middlebrooks could be just that, and the talented 24-year-old might even find himself back up with the Red Sox before long. Right now, Middlebrooks’ focus is solely on producing for the PawSox.
“You know, it’s easy to lose your job, and I was trying not to lose my instead of going out there and just playing baseball,” Middlebrooks reportedly said. “I don’t care what other people think. I control what I can control. What other people think doesn’t bother me.”
It’s certainly been a rollercoaster season for Middlebrooks. But one thing that apparently hasn’t changed is his thick skin.
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