Seattle Mariners pitcher Keynan Middleton caught in “Stickygate”
Chris Phillips
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Recent Seattle Mariners free agent signing Keynan Middleton is caught up in a ball doctoring scandal.
The Seattle Mariners inadvertently got caught up in a scandal. News broke on the morning of January 7 that goes to the heart of the game. Current New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole‘s text message to Brian Harkins about needing some sticky stuff. The Angels fired Harkins for supplying ball-doctoring substances to pitchers.
Harkins is in the middle of a lawsuit against the Angels and MLB for his wrongful termination. Consequently, Harkins claims he never received a proper warning. Additionally, Harkins claims he never saw the memo that former MLB vice president of on-field operations, Chris Young, sent out about the application of foreign substances.
Finger-pointing
Cole’s text is now in evidence. Harkins claims that there are a bunch of former and current players who asked for his help. There is more to come on the topic. My thoughts on this matter are that the Angels got caught. They blame Harkins and make it as if he did this alone. In effect, the Angels made him the fall guy.
On the other hand, might Young have reached out asking for Harkins’ help. Only to have Harkins not help Young. Thus, scorning Young. Or Young condemns Harkins’ actions. Like Trevor Bauer‘s accusations of Houston’s pitchers and their increased spin rate. As a result, Young utilizes his MLB authority to get “vengeance” on Harkins.
Where do the Mariners fit in this scandal?
Former LAA and current Seattle Mariners reliever Keynan Middleton is one of the players Harkins named. So, this raises many big questions. For example, were Middleton’s previous accomplishments valid, or were they the result of cheating? Also, how does this impact Middelton this year?
Maybe Harkins’ dismissal in March is the reason Middelton performed so poorly in 2020. Then again Middleton is on the road back from Tommy John surgery. The Mariners are hoping that Harkins’ “secret sauce” wasn’t the reason for Middelton’s success the previous seasons and that his bad showing last season is more due to his recovery.
How not doctoring the ball impacts Middelton this year is still to be determined. As a result, this adds more pressure for him to succeed.
Peeking ahead
At this point, there is no indication that current players will face any punishment. This matter will linger until it is resolved, just like the steroid and the Houston Astros cheating scandals.
How should M’s fans now view Middelton for this upcoming season? Relievers are a volatile bunch. So, it wouldn’t be all that shocking for Middelton to be great or terrible. Now, that this report is out if he struggles, all Middleton’s success will point directly to Harkins.
However, looking at Keynan’s career numbers and averages, expecting a lights-out season isn’t very realistic. He allows about one hit and one strikeout per inning pitched. Middleton will most likely be a middle inning reliever and kept out of the high-pressure situations. If the M’s get anything better from him, then his signing is a success.
Do you think the Seattle Mariners made a mistake by signing Keynan Middleton? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.