CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol called the season to date «painful» as his team began taking apart its roster on Wednesday night after trading veteran pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Angels for two prospects.
Giolito, speaking to reporters as he packed his bags in the White Sox clubhouse on Thursday afternoon, said it was a «surreal moment» despite the fact he «knew something like this was coming.» «A lot of emotions,» Giolito said. «I grew up here as a player and as a man.
A lot of failure, a lot of success. I owe this organization so much. The city, the fans, it's been an absolute pleasure.» Giolito joins an Angels team that is attempting to make the postseason for the first time in a decade.
He expressed excitement over joining two-way star Shohei Ohtani in their rotation, though as he scrambled to leave Chicago on Thursday, Giolito had to be informed of the one-hit shutout the Japanese star threw over the Tigers in a matinee contest. «Oh, really?» Giolito said. «Well, unbelievable.