Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from Spring Training media sessions from manager Will Venable and hitting coach Derek Shomon. What impresses Shomon the most about Munetaka Murakami? Also, Everson Pereira seems to be a focus for the coaching staff early in camp.
• [6:50] James Fegan shares the latest intel on what to expect in the first weekend of spring training games. Jim Margalus shares what he's watching early in games against the Cubs, Athletics, and Brewers.
• [14:39] There's been more of a focus on Everson Pereira. Is he a priority in making the 26-man roster?
• [21:47] As we hear more from the pitchers at camp, it seems that Chris Getz is giving as many as 10 players a shot at making the starting rotation. For those that don't make the rotation, how would they fit in a potential eight-man bullpen?
• [35:21] A discussion about Tony Clark's resignation as Executive Director of the MLBPA. Also, a breakdown of how the White Sox union leadership committee works.
• [50:22] Random, but Mountain Dew's Baja Blast is now the official soft drink of MLB. Does anyone drink soda/pop in the White Sox clubhouse? Would Red Bull been a better choice?

Rundown

• [Intro] Sounds from camp as Will Venable shares what he told the troops in the full squad meeting, why Mike Vasil believes the Chicago White Sox will be good this season, and why trying out for the Sox is a dream come true for Ryan Borucki.
• [7:05] Fantasy Baseball Leagues are open for Sox Machine subscribers. Please visit soxmachine.com for more information.
• [8:34] Munetaka Murakami Mania: how the new White Sox slugger is looking in camp, and if he's a 40 home run hitter, does that change the win/loss projections much?
• [23:36] Welcome back, Erick Fedde. What role does he have with the White Sox in 2026? Was signing Fedde necessary?
• [37:50] The Roch Report: How did Roch Cholowsky fare in his first series of the season? Also, the hysteria is getting a bit too much too early.
• [45:27] Updates coming for the strike zone on baseball broadcasts
• [56:21] Olympic curling update as both the Men's and Women's USA teams are performing well.

Rundown

• [Intro] The show starts with Keith Law and Jim Margalus revisiting their conversation last year about Colson Montgomery. How things have changed, how some things haven't changed, and what it means heading into the 2026 season.
• [6:51] Law's thoughts about Braden Montgomery and what area of his game needs the most improvement.
• [9:14] The White Sox recent high school picks are showing promise. With Caleb Bonemer, have they figured out how to help teenagers develop? If so, what does that mean for 2025 first-rounder Billy Carlson?
• [15:52] After an impressive Arizona Fall League, is Hagen Smith back?
• [17:40] Why Law needs to see more extension from Noah Schultz, even though that might be a tough ask.
• [23:01] An overall view of the farm system and how Chris Getz's hiring people from outside the organization is helping, but it might be too late for prospects like Jacob Gonzalez.
• [28:42] Law's thoughts about Roch Cholowsky and why he's the top prospect entering the spring.
• [35:31] Questions from Sox Machine subscribers about the impact of ABS and if Law acknowledges an analysis blind spot that he's working on?
• [45:56] The annual book recommendation.

Rundown

• [Intro] Austin Hays signing is official. Audio from the signing press conference as White Sox GM Chris Getz explains the fit and Hays shares why he picked the White Sox.
• [13:37] 2026 Spring Training Preview: Which White Sox storylines are we following this spring? Munetaka Murakami will command the most attention while the outfield still needs sorting out. How will Colson Montgomery follow up his rookie season? Who will fill out the starting rotation?
• [37:34] Prospect Week wraps up with Jim and James sharing how they feel about the farm system overall.

Rundown:

• [Intro] Chris Getz pulled off a trade on Sunday as the Chicago White Sox acquired two right-handed pitchers in Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin. Getz shared how long he was working on this trade, the role Hicks will play with the White Sox, and how excited he is about adding another young pitcher like Sandlin.
• [13:18] Jim, James, and Josh break down the trade. Why Sandlin is the big get, how the White Sox bullpen improves, and how refreshing it is to see the front office finally take on bad money for a chance to land a better prospect.
• [32:03] Earlier in the weekend, the White Sox reportedly signed outfielder Austin Hays. A move that convinces Jim to now take the Over on 65.5 wins for the White Sox in 2026, as their Opening Day lineup appears to be much stronger than last year's edition.
• [45:09] Sox Machine is celebrating 20 years covering the White Sox in 2026, with the official anniversary on February 1. Jim shares what it's been like writing about the White Sox daily for two decades.

Rundown

• [Intro] Kicking off 2026 SoxFest at the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club, Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz speaks with the media about his expectations for the upcoming season and how he's not done shopping yet. Chris Getz and Will Venable set the 2026 SoxFest stage.
• [9:30] White Sox manager Will Venable shares his plan to help the ballclub, and himself, improve upon their performance from last season.
• [13:18] Top 100 prospect lists were released by MLB.com, Baseball America, ESPN, and The Athletic. How are the White Sox faring in these lists? Where are certain prospects high on a list, and which outlets are more skeptical?
• [34:33] Vegas sportsbooks have released their 2026 Team Win Totals. DraftKings has the White Sox projected to win 65.5 games. Are we taking the over or under that win total?

Rundown

• [Intro] Catching up on White Sox news, as Munetaka Murakami is officially on Team Japan, and Roger Bossard is a Hall of Famer.
• [4:09] State of the White Sox Farm System: With the recent Player Development Staff announcement, hear from White Sox director Paul Janish's thoughts about the current farm system. Plus, new Charlotte Knights manager Chad Pinder shares what his goals are as he takes over for Sergio Santos.
• [20:15] Hello, Seranthony Dominguez: So the White Sox did spend some money by bringing in a proven high-leverage reliever in Seranthony Dominguez. Was this the best use of available dollars? What are the strengths Dominguez brings to the White Sox bullpen? In what ways does Dominguez need to improve during Spring Training?
• [36:51] Hello, Lamonte Wade Jr.: Another veteran signed to a minor league contract. What are the odds that Lamonte Wade Jr. makes the 26-man roster?
• [48:46] Around MLB: Harrison Bader signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. With Bader off the board, who are the best available outfielders the White Sox can sign?

Rundown:

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz explains the rationale of trading Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets. James Fegan asks Getz about Luisangel Acuna's expected playing time and what's next for Getz this offseason.
• [11:47] What is Luis Robert Jr.'s lasting legacy with the White Sox? The potential was real and flashed on several occasions, but is it all right to feel that the whole experience was lacking?
• [24:16] Why did this trade happen now? That's the question former White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski is asking on his show, Foul Territory. Josh, James, and Jim attempt to provide clarity on Getz's rationale, even though it doesn't appear the White Sox are marching to a meaningful goal in 2026.
• [38:46] Finally, with the White Sox now finding themselves with extra cash, how would you spend $20 million with the options left in free agency?

Audio clip: Foul Territory, 1/21/2026

Rundown

• [Intro] For the first time in 13 seasons of podcasting about the Chicago White Sox, the intro had to be re-recorded as Luis Robert Jr. trade news broke. There's also site and podcast news, including White Sox Wake Up Call's return for the 2026 season, the Sox Machine 20th Anniversary Party, and our upcoming coverage plans.
• [8:13] Our feature on remembering Wilbur Wood, who passed away at age 84. His excellence in 1971 and 1972 will be hard to beat for White Sox pitchers. Current TV analyst Steve Stone shares his memories of playing alongside Wood and what he learned from him.
• [15:06] Baseball Hall of Fame announced the voting results as Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones got the call. With James Fegan getting closer to being a Hall of Fame voter, how is he starting to think about the selection process?
• [32:32] Michael Conforto rumors. Why it would be a good idea and a bad idea to bring Conforto to the south side.
• [38:33] The Conforto gossip chat quickly pivots as ESPN's Jeff Passan was first to announce that Luis Robert Jr. was traded to the New York Mets, later confirmed by James Fegan. It's our honest, live reaction to the news as we will have a new podcast once Chris Getz speaks to the media on Wednesday morning.

Rundown:

• [Intro] Recapping the Chicago White Sox 2026 International Prospect signings with David Keller. Scouting reports on top signees Fernando Graterol and Sebastian Romero. Beat reporter James Fegan asks Keller how this year's class came together, how the new Dominican Republic facility played a role, and how they used advanced tech to help scout.
• [10:52] The Kansas City Royals are bringing in the fences at Kauffman Stadium. Guest Max Rieper of Royals Review joins the show to explain why these changes are happening, which Royals hitters could see a boost, and the future of Kauffman Stadium.
• [22:29] Jim Margalus joins Josh and James to share what we learned and liked from this year's International Signing class.
• [30:29] After learning how the Kauffman Stadium changes could impact the Royals, could they help the White Sox?
• [40:04] About five minutes prior to recording this episode, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Kyle Tucker is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.