Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable, who chimes in on Munetaka Murakami, Sean Newcomb, and how he wants to see the starting pitchers compete for the final spots in the rotation.
• [7:37] Sean Newcomb meets with the White Sox media since signing a one-year contract. Newcomb shares why he picked the White Sox, how Mike Vasil and Shane Smith helped with recruitment, and why the sinker is his key pitch.
• [12:05] James Fegan joins the show to discuss his recent feature on Edgar Quero. More details on how Quero is aiming to improve hitting for more power and pitch framing. If Quero can be a 10-home run or better hitter, can the White Sox get at least 25 homers from the catching position in 2026?
• [29:30] Around MLB: Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers will square off in arbitration, and Alex Bregman is signing with the Chicago Cubs. When Justin Ishbia takes over, could the White Sox be a team in the future that offers big deferral dollars to sign the big free agents?

Guest: Eric Longenhagen, FanGraphs

Rundown

• [Intro] We are back for our 13th season podcasting the Chicago White Sox. Catching up on news from the holidays, including Jared Kelenic signing a minor league contract, Danny Mendick is now a manager, SoxFest Live update, and Jason Benetti being approached for NBC's top MLB gig.
• [4:25] Eric Longenhagen joins Josh Nelson and James Fegan to discuss FanGraphs top prospect list for the Chicago White Sox. Starting with the signing of Munetaka Murakami.
• [10:52] The White Sox have six prospects with a Future Value grade of 50. Does that mean the farm system is improving?
• [21:35] Caleb Bonemer is FanGraphs #1 White Sox prospect to start 2026. Is he better suited to play second base?
• [24:32] Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith are looking for bounce-back campaigns in 2026. What is one thing they need to improve upon before getting the call to the majors?
• [31:06] Braden Montgomery produced in 2025, but are the right-handed swing metrics demonstrating improvement?
• [37:06] Billy Carlson and Jaden Fauske will make their professional debuts in 2026 with Kannapolis. What are we hoping to see from the teenagers in their first year?
• [41:31] Which White Sox prospects are James and Eric most optimistic about compared to the industry?

Rundown

• [Intro] With the holidays wrapping up, the Sox Machine crew share what they got for Christmas.
• [8:50] Addressing the Yoan Moncada rumors, and how much help the White Sox need in the outfield.
• [17:44] Our personal favorite 2025 moments
• [26:15] Using page views, social media engagement, and podcast listens, we compiled the Top 10 White Sox moments for Sox Machine. Starting with #10 Moment: Andrew Vaughn getting traded.
• [31:09] #9 Moment: Kyle Teel getting called up
• [35:48] #8 Moment: Grant Taylor getting called up
• [38:08] #7 Moment: Adrian Houser getting traded
• [41:46] #6 Moment: Luis Robert Jr. doesn't get traded
• [44:20] #5 Moment: White Sox select Billy Carlson in the first round
• [46:37] #4 Moment: Shane Smith, All-Star
• [50:18] #3 Moment: White Sox sign Munetaka Murakami
• [52:39] #2 Moment: White Sox win the MLB Draft Lottery
• [55:59] #1 Moment: Colson Montgomery's Power Surge

Rundown

• [Intro] Highlights from Munetaka Murakami's introduction press conference. Why Chris Getz feels this signing continues the momentum his ballclub has been building since the second half.
• [10:16] Hello, Sean Newcomb. The White Sox signed the veteran left-handed pitcher open to the idea of having him start games in 2026. A breakdown of how Newcomb's starts went in 2025.
• [13:15] A thought process of a potential trade offer from Cincinnati to lure Luis Robert Jr. away.
• [19:48] More new faces join the White Sox coaching staff as Chris Denorfia shares what his responsibilities as Field Coordinator entail.

Rundown

• [Intro] Our initial reaction to the Chicago White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami
• [16:24] What Murakami is bringing to the White Sox: big power and a healthy walk rate
• [20:16] What are Murakami's red flags? Contact rate is eye-opening that drives a high strikeout rate. Is it possible for the White Sox hitting team can help Murakami make adjustments before arriving to Spring Training?
• [29:54] 2026 Steamer projections for Murakami. If he meets those projections, is that a good enough outcome for the White Sox?
• [33:42] What does the Murakami signing mean for Lenyn Sosa, Curtis Mead, and Bryan Ramos?
• [41:51] Now with Murakami into the fold, Josh Nelson makes the case for the White Sox to NOT trade Luis Robert Jr.

Rundown

• [Intro] A behind the scenes retelling of what it was like being at the MLB Draft Lottery and speaking with White Sox personal afterwards.
• [10:38] A week after the Winter Meetings, and not much has changed for the White Sox.
• [14:06] A deep dive into the White Sox new Rule 5 draftees: Jedixson Paez and Alexander Alberto. What is their arsenal and how could the White Sox use them in 2026. Do they have enough staying power to last at least 90 days, or are they at risk of being returned to sender?
• [32:20] It's been a pretty quiet offseason for the White Sox, but we know they have work to do filling out the 40-man roster. We guess at what the next move is.
• [37:34] Around MLB: Pretty busy day for the free agent reliever market on Tuesday. Are we surprised the White Sox weren't more involved?

Chicago White Sox will have the #1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Hear from Chris Getz and Mike Shirley's reaction to the news. Sox Machine's Josh Nelson lays out the upcoming outlook for the White Sox draft efforts.

Rundown

• [Intro] Baseball America's JJ Cooper joins Jim Margalus to share how the MLB Draft Lottery works, and previews the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, which the White Sox should be making another selection on Wednesday.
• [18:40] Anthony Kay is officially with the Chicago White Sox, and he shared with James Fegan why he picked the organization in his return to the majors.
• [21:35] Courtney Finnicum of Baseball Isn't Boring talks about her first Winter Meetings experience and latest gossip with the Kyle Teel trade interest from Boston.

Guest: Mike Ferrin, MLB Network Radio

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from Chris Getz who holds court in Monday's Winter Meetings. He talks about maintaining the current course, if he believes there's a contending core being built with players currently in hand, and what the White Sox have achieved in his three years as general manager.
• [6:16] Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio joins the show again to talk about the current Winter Meetings vibes. If there is a big move to be made, why it could be the Washington Nationals making big trade news. What Ferrin thinks about the White Sox, and who fans should know about in the upcoming draft class ahead of Tuesday's lottery.
• [28:55] Jim Margalus joins Josh Nelson as they hash out what they learned today. Yes, they can see where the White Sox are making improvements, and Getz may have a good long-term plan in place. But once again, a White Sox general manager speaks with no pressure to lose their job, as there are no set expectations. That might work internally at 35th and Shields, but that notion doesn't fly with Chicago White Sox fans.

Rundown

• [Intro] The Sox Machine House in Orlando is setup and ready to cover the Winter Meetings. Sharing what we are hoping to learn from Chris Getz and Will Venable in their media scrums.
• [9:27] Jeff Kent is going to the Hall of Fame, but with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens missing the voting cutoff again, will they ever make it?
• [17:55] Around MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates offer Kyle Schwarber a four-year contract, what are the Minnesota Twins trying to accomplish, and the Chicago Cubs kicking the tires on a couple of third base free agents.