Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

Rundown

• [Intro] Hello, Anthony Kay. The Chicago White Sox add to their starting rotation by signing Kay to a two year, $12 million contract ($5 million in 2026, $5 million in 2027, $2 million buyout or $10 million mutual option in 2028). What should White Sox fans expect from Kay, and how much risk does this signing carry?
• [15:57] 2025 Winter Meetings Preview: It appears the biggest storyline for the White Sox in Orlando is Luis Robert Jr. Could he be traded? Does it make sense to trade him now?
• [31:23] Revisiting the White Sox shopping list and guessing how many items they check off next week.
• [35:55] Who are interesting targets for the White Sox in the Rule 5 draft
• [44:32] Around MLB: Our guess in the biggest deal made during the Winter Meetings

Rundown

• [Intro] Dylan Cease signs with the Toronto Blue Jays for a seven year, $210 million contract. Our thoughts about the new deal for an old friend of the White Sox, and a look at how well ex-Aces for the franchise have fared after being traded.
• [19:18] Ethan Katz is joining the Houston Astros coaching staff. Why he's still well received around MLB.
• [24:16] With Bo Jackson turning 63 years old, it got Josh Nelson thinking about how he was too young to appreciate his stardom. If possible, he would travel back in time to see Jackson in his prime athletic dominance. Flipping over to the White Sox, which former player would the Sox Machine crew travel back in time to watch?
• [38:20] Is Pope Leo starting to get tired of receiving White Sox themed gifts?

Date: 11/29/2025

Sox Machine's James Fegan joins Inside The Clubhouse on 670 AM the Score, and then White Sox Weekly on ESPN 1000 AM.

Guest: Dan Szymborski, FanGraphs

Rundown

• [Intro] Dan Szymborski of FanGraphs.com joins the podcast to review the 2026 ZiPS projections. Where does ZiPS seeing the most improvement for the White Sox? What metric will be key for Colson Montgomery to make another leap forward in his development? Which position group needs the most help this offseason?
• [31:08] Jim Margalus and James Fegan join the show. Starting with the White Sox hiring new first base coach, Jose Leger.
• [39:53] Our reactions to the 2026 ZiPS projections.
• [44:03] A lot of Sam Antonacci love in the last couple of episodes. Is it too soon to hype Antonacci?
• [51:54] We share what we are thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches.

Guest: Jim Callis, MLB.com

Rundown

• [Intro] Recap of recent MLB transactions as the White Sox re-sign Derek Hill, but let Mike Tauchman, Tim Elko, and Cam Booser go.
• [3:42] One of the best friends of the show, Jim Callis of MLB.com joins to recap the Arizona Fall League.
• [6:53] How this year's AFL prospects stack with previous seasons
• [9:40] Detroit's top prospect Kevin McGonigle dominated the AFL, and why he's a name White Sox fans should know
• [14:09] Braden Montgomery was the second ranked prospect from AFL action, and Callis believes he's a future core piece of the White Sox
• [19:42] It's a short sample size, but the version of Hagen Smith that wowed scouts during the draft showed up in Arizona
• [24:41] What to make of Sam Antonacci, and why he could challenge Chase Meidroth for playing time.
• [32:59] Tanner McDougal makes the 40-man roster, and his stuff improved enough in 2025 to give him a shot in 2026.
• [35:58] Fan Question from Andrew Segall about Rule 5 outfield options
• [42:38] Fan Question from John Strauss about the infield logjam
• [49:43] Fan Question from Trooper Galactus about any White Sox prospects with star potential outside of Braden Montgomery

Rundown

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox added Tanner McDougal and Duncan Davitt to their 40-man roster this week, and then made two additional trades. Audio from White Sox GM Chris Getz explaining the rationale of his decision-making, and Tanner McDougal expressing his excitement in being one step closer to accomplishing his dream.
• [12:00] James Fegan and Jim Margalus join the show to discuss if there were any surprises with the 40-man decision-making
• [16:43] First trade: White Sox acquiring LHP Chris Murphy - does he replace Fraser Ellard?
• [18:52] Speaking of Ellard's retirement, where does that sudden decision rank among unexpected White Sox retirements?
• [24:07] Second trade: White Sox dealing Yoendrys Gomez and Steven Wilson to Tampa for Everson Pereira and Tanner Murray. With the White Sox dealing with a lack of pitching depth, why did they deal from that depth? Also, does Pereira have the inside track in making the White Sox 26-man roster?
• [33:37] Justin Ishbia meets the Pope, but also speaks on record for the first time as the White Sox upcoming "Steward".
• [44:55] MLB's new TV deal with NBC, ESPN, and Netflix sure makes it seem like they can't afford to miss any regular season games with a lockout in 2027.

Sox Machine is also helping with the South Side Food Drive to raise donations for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Every $1 donated is worth three meals. You can join the virtual food drive by donating at this link: https://myfooddrives.org/team/782427

Rundown

• [Intro] Tuesday, November 18 is two deadlines in Major League Baseball but only one of them concerns the Chicago White Sox. With the 40-man protection deadline approaching, which White Sox prospects get protected from the Rule 5 draft?
• [9:15] As the GM Meetings were wrapping up, Josh Nelson left for vacation. Biggest takeaway from James Fegan's reporting in Las Vegas is that the White Sox are not going to be big spenders, again. Sure seems like someone within the White Sox organization should be trying to figure out the revenue issue to spur more spending in free agency.
• [18:05] The White Sox are in the market for a left-handed hitting infielder that could play some third base, but not required. With that clue from Chris Getz, which players fit that criteria?
• [28:48] St. Louis infielder Brendan Donovan is a left-handed hitting infielder. Should the White Sox kick the tires to see what the Cardinals asking price is?
• [31:48] Grant Taylor is sticking with bullpen duties, for now.
• [37:16] Edgar Quero is also sticking around
• [43:52] Why Andrew Benintendi will be spending more time as the White Sox designated hitter than left fielder in 2026
• [49:14] What we are watching from the White Sox until the Winter Meetings
• [54:49] Around MLB: Josh Naylor is staying in Seattle

Rundown

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox introduce Derek Shomon as their new hitting coach. Audio from Chris Getz and Will Venable, who share their excitement in bringing Shomon on board. Getz also chimes in why the White Sox are having such turnover at the hitting coach position, and Shomon shares his goals for White Sox hitters.
• [15:04] James Fegan joins from Las Vegas as he covers the 2025 MLB GM Meetings. He shares what the White Sox are hoping to improve upon offensively adding Shomon to the coaching staff. Jim Margalus chimes in about the White Sox continued focus on improving their results against fastballs.
• [22:52] Around MLB: Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are indictment is a shocker when considering the amount of live prop bets that MLB allows. What will change for MLB when it comes to gambling to avoid future instances of game fixing?
• [33:15] GM Meetings: James and Jim share what they hope to learn from the GM Meetings as Getz speaks to the media on Wednesday, November 12.
• [40:03] Josh Nelson presents his Offseason Plan Project to Jim and James for their feedback. How do they feel about Josh's plan, and how close could the White Sox actual offseason activity look like his plan.

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox hire new pitching coach Zach Bove from the Kansas City Royals. White Sox general manager Chris Getz and manager Will Venable share their insight on the new hire.
• [10:02] How can Bove help the White Sox pitching staff?
• [31:15] Next hire incoming is the White Sox handing the hitting coach duties to Derek Shoman
• [36:06] Luis Robert Jr. is officially coming back as the White Sox exercise his $20 million option.
• [40:50] Chris Getz talks about the White Sox upcoming strategy when approaching free agency. Don't expect long term deals from the White Sox as they may repeat signing five or more players to one year contracts.

Rundown

• [Intro] Sox Machine is also helping with the South Side Food Drive to raise donations for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Every $1 donated is worth three meals. You can join the virtual food drive by donating at this link: https://myfooddrives.org/team/782427
• [3:20] The World Series did make it back to Toronto, and in a somewhat surprising way with the Blue Jays leading the series, three games to two. But it's Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching Game 6 for the Dodgers. Can he duplicate his performance from Game 2 and force a Game 7?
• [17:02] The Chicago White Sox are close to hiring new pitching and hitting coaches according to Sox Machine's James Fegan.
• [22:54] Today, the 2025/26 Offseason Plan Project kicks off. Jim Margalus breaks down how the process will work this offseason, and more importantly, what is this offseason's budget.
• [31:18] A new game for the podcast harkening back to Siskel and Ebert in which Josh and Jim play Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down. This edition is reviewing James shortlist of free agent pitchers for the White Sox.
• [34:18] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Martin Perez
• [36:36] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Zack Littel
• [44:43] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Chris Paddack
• [50:32] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Dustin May
• [55:21] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Anthony DeSclafani
• [57:37] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Erick Fedde
• [62:10] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Cody Ponce
• [68:36] Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down: Hiroto Saiki / Anthony Kay / Drew Anderson