Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox director of hitting, Ryan Fuller, joins the show to chat with James Fegan about what to expect from the bridge league prospects. The conversation touches on what attributes the White Sox are now looking for from perspective prospects, what metrics are important to Fuller, and how he thinks about the recent draftees.
• [31:21] Recap of the Savannah Bananas playing at Rate Field over the weekend
• [42:17] A quick look at the White Sox home run leaderboard. Will Lenyn Sosa lead the Sox in home runs this season?
• [46:20] Series Preview: Atlanta Braves
• [54:03] Around MLB: Dodgers big statement sweep over the Padres, and the Rockies might avoid 121 losses after all.

Rundown

• [Intro] Martin Perez returns to the White Sox since his injury in mid-April. Where is he at physically and what's the game plan for Perez in the last seven weeks of 2025 season? James Fegan shares what he learned from the clubhouse and Jim Margalus likes the idea on paper of Perez piggy backing off Shane Smith starts. Until there's more injuries or the combination is too redundant that it hurts other games.
• [10:30] Speaking of Smith, he's looked strong in his last two outings. What's working for him and how many more innings will he throw before being shutdown?
• [16:56] Josh Nelson is asking to ban all future references of Andrew Vaughn on the podcast
• [19:01] Edgar Quero is trying out a torpedo bat to help improve his numbers against RHP. It serves a good time to check in on his progress, and how much further with development both Quero and Kyle Teel have to go.
• [33:58] Latest information regarding to the Savannah Bananas visiting Rate Field
• [36:14] Series Preview: Kansas City Royals. Our thoughts about Sean Burke's 2025 season as he sets a new career high in innings.
• [46:23] Around MLB: Why the San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers is must see TV this weekend

Rundown

• [Intro] After losing another series to Cleveland dropping to 8-22 vs. AL Central, are the Chicago White Sox concerned about their division record? Or is it still too soon in the rebuild cycle to be overly worried?
• [5:21] Plenty of roster transactions for the White Sox this past weekend as they are running out of fresh arms. What's the plan to help manager Will Venable have enough arms to finish 2025?
• [13:31] Did you know that Lenyn Sosa now has an above average wRC+ in 2025? Despite his overly aggressive approach, Sosa appears to be hitting well enough to merit being considered as a regular going into 2026.
• [28:45] Fan question about Colson Montgomery and if this is the best rookie position player season since Jose Abreu?
• [40:27] Farm Report from Jim Margalus as he visits the Winston-Salem Dash.
• [44:59] Series Preview: Detroit Tigers. Can the White Sox avoid giving up a home run to Kerry Carpenter?
• [54:13] Around MLB: Jen Pawol breaks the gender barrier, trouble in the Big Apple, and the Boston Red Sox keep piling wins after dealing Rafael Devers

Rundown

• [Intro] Surprise! The Chicago White Sox lead Major League Baseball in home runs hit since the All-Star Break. Has the organization finally embraced Ball In Air offense?
• [9:55] Following up with James Fegan's column about key metrics to track for the rest of 2025, Luis Robert Jr. did well to hit fastballs against Seattle's pitchers.
• [15:59] Meanwhile, maybe we should pay more attention to Colson Montgomery's contact rate.
• [21:56] Roman Anthony signed a eight-year contract extension with Boston. Should the White Sox start considering extension options with Colson Montgomery?
• [31:31] Opposing left-handed batters are still feasting off Jonathan Cannon. What's the solution for Cannon and the White Sox?
• [38:36] Why is Josh Rojas still on the roster?
• [48:39] Series Preview: Cleveland Guardians. Can Cleveland catch Detroit in the standings?

Rundown

• [Intro] Colson Montgomery is one of the league leaders in RBI post All-Star Break and has seven home runs in his first 25 games. How is Montgomery doing this after a dismal season in AAA? Maybe the source of this swing in development can be attributed to the new bat Montgomery is using?
• [15:43] Miguel Vargas is heading to the IL. What does this mean for playing time at first base?
• [23:16] Starting pitcher Aaron Civale hasn't allowed an earned run in over 17 innings. Will contender regret not trading for Civale? If he keeps this level of production up, would the White Sox entertain the notion of Civale returning next season?
• [33:44] A Farm Report from Jim Margalus as he visits the Birmingham Barons as they play the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
• [40:26] Series Preview: Seattle Mariners. With Aaron Judge hurt, is Cal Raleigh the American League MVP frontrunner?
• [50:45] Around MLB: Playing a game inside a NASCAR track, Lucas Giolito is dealing, and the Miami Marlins are .500

Rundown

• [Intro] The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is over, and the White Sox only trade Austin Slater and Adrian Houser. White Sox GM Chris Getz shares his thoughts about the deadline, Houser success, and his excitement in keeping Robert Jr.
• [6:37] Josh Nelson and James Fegan share their reaction to the White Sox trade deadline activity. While Getz is expecting to keep Robert, does that match to Jerry Reinsdorf's spending habits? If the White Sox bring Robert back, will that be all for their offseason spending?
• [21:36] Recapping the Adrian Houser trade with Curtis Mead being the draw
• [33:50] The Minnesota Twins have a fire sale of epic proportions. Can the White Sox catch them in the standings?
• [44:09] Series Preview: Los Angeles Angels.

Rundown

• [Intro] White Sox manager Will Venable speaks about the young players finding success, navigating his first trade deadline as a manager, and Luis Robert Jr.
• [6:29] Speaking of Robert, James Fegan has the latest health update
• [10:02] White Sox suffer from a bit of regression from their stellar play as of late
• [18:22] White Sox trade board updates
• [20:00] Adrian Houser
• [24:40] Mike Tauchman
• [28:30] Luis Robert Jr.
• [40:45] Aaron Civale
• [43:28] Austin Slater and Michael A. Taylor
• [49:33] Relievers
• [71:59] Jim Margalus Charlotte Knights report from Nashville
• [77:58] Series Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

Rundown

• [Intro] After the All-Star Break, the Chicago White Sox held a team meeting to set the tone for remaining 2025 season. James Fegan explains how the White Sox emphasis on being more aggressive against fastballs is taking hold.
• [7:28] Colson Montgomery is hitting better in the major leagues than in AAA. Why is that, and what do we make of the split time defensively between shortstop and third base?
• [16:20] Kyle Teel is showing good contact and on-base skills. Is he an example of White Sox coaches wanting hitters to be more aggressive to generate more power?
• [21:29] Miguel Vargas is hitting much better since his cold streak to start July. Is it all about the hands again for Vargas?
• [27:16] A fan question pondering what the White Sox will do if they can't trade Luis Robert Jr.?
• [39:17] Series Preview: Chicago Cubs. Will Friday night be the last start for Adrian Houser with the White Sox?
• [47:57] Since June 1, the White Sox bullpen has been performing a lot better in thanks to Grant Taylor. But other key veteran arms may have shown some value to contending teams that merit more trades for Chris Getz.

Rundown

• [Intro] It was our annual Road Trip, co-hosted with FromThe108 and Chicago Sports Bums, visiting Pittsburgh. Josh and Jim share their highlights of the festive weekend.
• [9:35] If you missed out on Pittsburgh, Josh shares what the 2026 Road Trip plans are
• [15:26] Back to baseball, the Chicago White Sox offense had a huge weekend. Will Venable and Mike Tauchman think it was the hitters being more aggressive against fastballs. Is it that easy? Or is Pittsburgh's pitching that bad?
• [24:53] Trade Stock: Did Adrian Houser's value take a hit with his start on Saturday?
• [30:16] Trade Stock: Will teams view Mike Tauchman differently with his power performance?
• [33:48] Trade Stock: Is anyone convinced that Luis Robert Jr. has finally arrived?
• [40:37] Series Preview: Tampa Bay Rays
• [48:26] Around MLB: Andrew Vaughn is hitting at a level we rarely saw in Chicago, the Milwaukee Brewers can't lose, and which divisions will have the best races?

Rundown

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox held their 2005 World Series reunion and it was wonderful to remember what it was like to watch a great team
• [16:19] Opposite of great, the White Sox offense stinks. What is ailing Chase Meidroth and Miguel Vargas? Any other sources of help coming?
• [25:20] Colson Montgomery has been better than expected on defense
• [31:28] 2025 MLB Draft Day 1 recap: How we like the Billy Carlson selection, the White Sox love local talent, and what's the strategy heading into the fourth round?
• [52:56] All-Star Break means the Home Run Derby, and the fellas make their picks to click