Sox Machine

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**Sox Machine**

The Sox Machine podcast covers Chicago White Sox news, interviews, analysis, and more. Hosted by Josh Nelson, Jim Margalus, and James Fegan.
“We watch the Chicago White Sox so you don’t have to!”

Latest Episodes:

2025 White Sox ZiPS Projections with Dan Szymborski Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dan Szymborski, FanGraphs

Link to White Sox 2025 ZiPS Projections: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2025-zips-projections-chicago-white-sox/

Rundown

[Intro] Customary to ask "Why does ZiPS hate the White Sox?"
[2:45] Why Dan Szymborski expects more wins in 2025 for the White Sox
[6:58] Patreon Question: What percentile outcome were the Sox for cumulative team WAR last year relative to your preseason projections?
[7:52] Patreon Question: If the 2025 White Sox played exactly according to the above projections, would they be in danger of losing 121 games again?
[8:47] ZiPS projections for Luis Robert Jr. and if he can still be traded for top prospects
[11:31] Why ZiPS likes Chase Meidroth
[13:47] What ZiPS thinks of Colson Montgomery after his uneven 2024 season at Charlotte?
[16:31] How would Szymborski handle Andrew Benintendi and Andrew Vaughn?
[21:21] What does ZiPS think of Miguel Vargas?
[23:49] Why Szymborski thinks the signings of Mike Tauchman, Austin Slater, and Josh Rojas are pointless for the White Sox
[26:24] If you could grant a 25% increase in offensive production to three White Sox hitters, which would Szymborski choose?
[28:16] Why ZiPS is low on Jonathan Cannon entering 2025
[30:54] Patreon Question: What are the three-year ZIPS projections for Martin, Burke, and Cannon?
[33:44] Worst ZiPS projected bullpen ever
[36:09] How should we grade Will Venable in his first year as manager?

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White Sox add veterans Martin Perez and Josh Rojas Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] At this pace, Chris Getz could churn out half the 26-man roster we saw late in 2024. Is this amount of roster churn a good thing?
[6:00] Hello, Martin Perez. What the White Sox are hoping to get out of Perez, how long he figures to stay, and why Josh likes this signing
[17:36] Hello, Josh Rojas. Why does this signing feel like Nicky Lopez 2.0? Is Rojas the clubhouse leader to be the starting third baseman in 2025?
[29:41] Hello, Tyler Gilbert. Why are the White Sox trading young relievers for older relievers?
[39:24] Hello, Bobby Dalbec. What's the hope by signing Dalbec to a minor league contract? Is Dalbec a better backup option to Andrew Vaughn than Tim Elko?
[45:50] What's next for the White Sox this offseason? Could finding a cheap shortstop be Getz's next signing?
[52:14] Josh's projected 26-man roster payroll presently is below $65 million

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2025 New Year's Resolutions for Chicago White Sox Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] 2024 was a very eventful year at Sox Machine
[2:57] James Fegan's favorite moments covering the White Sox including a story about Garrett Crochet's walk-up music
[16:25] 2025 New Year's Resolutions for the Chicago White Sox from fans
[26:54] James resolution for the White Sox: Play better defense
[31:20] Jim's resolution for the White Sox: Show more empathy towards fans
[36:38] Josh's resolutions for the White Sox: Win more division games, score more than 615 runs, and someone hit 25 home runs

Personal Resolutions for 2025

James wants to cut down on his french fry intake
Jim wants to finish reading Powerbroker
Josh wants to get his weight under 215 pounds by November

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Meeting the new White Sox players Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

Record Date: 12/26/2024

Rundown

[Intro] Mike Tauchman explains why he signed with the White Sox and how being from Chicagoland area helped the decision-making. Also what his goals are for 2025 and how we wants to be a positive influence on the White Sox clubhouse.
[12:15] Bryse Wilson signed with the White Sox in his attempt to establish himself as a starting pitcher after pitching the last two seasons with Milwaukee in mostly relief appearances. If the starting role sticks it's because of his cutter and changeup.
[17:18] Matt Thaiss has been traded twice this offseason but is hoping that he's found a good landing spot with the White Sox. Citing his past working experiences with White Sox catching coach Drew Butera, Thaiss is eager getting to know the White Sox pitching staff as well as helping Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero with their development.
[21:40] White Sox spent their Rule 5 pick on pitcher Shane Smith, who like Wilson, also wants to establish himself as a starting pitcher but is ready for whatever role the White Sox have for him.
[24:48] Chase Meidroth will be part of the White Sox middle infield spring training competition. Meidroth provides insight on his plate approach which stems from his days at University of San Diego.
[28:50] Kyle Teel loves the game of baseball and art of catching. He goes into detail of his learning experience game calling, one-knee catching stance, and ready to prove his worth.

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Hello, Matt Thaiss and Bryse Wilson Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

Record Date: 12/19/2024

Rundown

[Intro] Appreciation of the work Herb Lawrence and Vinnie Duber put in at CHGO covering the White Sox in recent light of the company's layoffs.
[12:40] Sports betting market has released 2025 MLB Futures Win total, and the Chicago White Sox are set at 49.5 wins. That would be the lowest projected win total ever, and the crew debates if the number is set right
[24:31] Chicago White Sox trade for catcher Matt Thaiss. How does he fit on the roster, and does this buy more development time for Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero? With how Spring Training went last year for catchers, does it make sense for Chris Getz to find one more veteran catcher?
[38:19] Chicago White Sox sign pitcher Bryse Wilson. Is the plan for Wilson to be a starting pitcher? Or, will Wilson replace Michael Soroka in the bullpen as a swingman?
[48:43] James Fegan hypes up his upcoming interviews for Sox Machine

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Garrett Crochet Trade Reaction Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Record Date: 12/12/2024

Rundown

[Intro] Why the White Sox felt they had to make this particular deal for Garrett Crochet
[5:23] Why this trade return for Crochet feels better than the Dylan Cease return
[9:13] How did other pitchers becoming available in the trade market influence timing of deal?
[13:42] Kyle Teel: How is the White Sox catcher situation looking now? Do the White Sox still need another catcher to start 2025 season?
[22:16] Braden Montgomery: Is Montgomery the make or break prospect return for this trade to be considered a success?
[29:43] Chase Meidroth: Another super utility infielder for Will Venable?
[37:49] Projected White Sox starting pitcher rotation with Crochet now gone
[41:33] What's next for the White Sox after Winter Meetings?
[44:55] Our biggest takeaways MLB-wide after Winter Meetings: Why the local TV bubble is playing a huge factor

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2024 Winter Meetings Day 3 Recap: Still waiting on Crochet trade and MLB Draft Lottery chat with Mike Ferrin Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Guest: Mike Ferrin, MLB Radio

Rundown

[Intro] Publishing this podcast episode as quickly as possible after Max Fried signed with the New York Yankees and Nathan Eovaldi is returning to the Texas Rangers. With more starting pitchers coming off the board, are we closer to Garrett Crochet being traded?
[5:49] During Chris Getz's media session, the topic of catchers came up as the White Sox will be exploring options to add depth
[9:46] Jim Margalus attended the MLB Draft Lottery and was able to get some insight on who the White Sox could take with the first pick of Rule 5 Draft.
[17:53] Mike Ferrin of MLB Radio joins the show to talk about the MLB Draft Lottery, the top prospects we'll be discussing all spring, but more importantly the impact of NIL and Major League Baseball. How drafting strategies will change as teenagers deal with the conflict of deciding to take money and play college baseball, or start their professional baseball careers.

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2024 Winter Meetings Day 2 Recap: Hello, Mike Tauchman and Chris Getz talks about Garrett Crochet Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Record Date: 12/9/2024

Rundown

[Intro] White Sox manager Will Venable talks about his new coaching staff and Grady Sizemore being his offensive coordinator.
[4:20] White Sox general manager Chris Getz talks about the new coaching staff, Garrett Crochet trade conversations and strategy, and how he wants to add outfielders and starting pitchers
[10:06] Jim Margalus and James Fegan join the show to discuss the breaking news of outfielder Mike Tauchman signing with the White Sox
[16:17] Will the White Sox add more than trade away during these Winter Meetings?
[21:07] Reactions to the idea Getz is willing to wait until Spring Training to trade Crochet
[24:19] Does Getz have to wait until Max Fried or Corbin Burnes sign before trading Crochet?
[26:30] What should White Sox fans takeaway from the day's media session with Getz and Venable
[30:07] White Sox pursuit in finding cheap starting pitching

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2024 Winter Meetings Day 1 Recap: Dick Allen is a Hall of Famer and Juan Soto signs with the Mets Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Recording Date: 12/8/2024

Rundown

[Intro] 2024 Winter Meetings generating more news on Day 1 than all of 2023 Winter Meetings
[3:00] Dick Allen makes the Hall of Fame, finally.
[9:50] According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Juan Soto is signing with the New York Mets for a deal that could pay him more than $800 million over the contract's lifetime. Why this type of deal raises questions about sustainability in rising free agent contracts, and how disappointing it is to be a White Sox fan knowing ownership would never make the necessary deals to land players like Soto.
[28:04] Latest Garrett Crochet gossip has the Boston Red Sox not being aggressors in talks, but Cincinnati and New York Yankees are very interested

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2024 MLB Winter Meetings Preview Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] Sox Machine will be heading on the road to Dallas, Texas covering the 2024 Winter Meetings. The crew shares their favorite memories of past Winter Meetings and what to expect concerning coverage.
[13:09] The Chicago White Sox still haven't officially announced their 2025 coaching staff, which creates confusion as to why and raises the open question of how new manager Will Venable isn't bringing more new faces to the clubhouse.
[27:01] Garrett Crochet will garner attention in Dallas, and James Fegan is hearing about the possibility of another three-team trade format
[36:51] Frankie Montas and Matthew Boyd signed new deals with an AAV greater than $14 million despite recent injuries and poor performance. Is it time to reconsider how we calculate WAR/$ for pitchers as the free agency market continues to inflate?
[46:03] There will be another vote for Hall-of-Fame as Dick Allen gets another crack. Will he finally make it, and why John Donaldson's contributions shouldn't be ignored.
[1:00:00] Making fun of Rob Manfred's new rule proposal, the Rule 5 Draft for White Sox, and MLB Draft Lottery results

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