Sox In The Basement

Scott Merkin of MLB.com joins the show to talk about how the White Sox front office is viewing the trade market. He talks about their internal process, current expectations and possibly an internal backup plan in AAA. The White Sox are also experiencing some crazy fan interactions in left field this season. We talk about the acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to Cup Snakes, fan interactions...

With positive news surrounding Eloy Jimenez and the official end to Nick Madrigal's season, the White Sox must make the right choices when it comes to personnel. We break down their best everyday option at 2B. Plus one player on the 26-man roster looks like a bust. How long can Adam Eaton survive on the roster? We also look at MLB's new plans to police doctored baseballs, and the impact (if any) i...

Nick Madrigal is down, and likely out for the remainder of the season. Now is the time to tighten up lineup decisions and optimize the personnel sent to the plate. With three high-end position players injured, some internal moves can soften the losses. Meanwhile there are several second basemen available in the trade market. One is a perfect fit, and should be easily attainable. Brought to you by ...

Marc "Silvy" Silverman takes a break from hosting afternoon drive on the White Sox flagship station ESPN 1000 to address our concerns about White Sox coverage compared to Cubs coverage in Chicago. Meanwhile we ask how concerned White Sox fans should be now that Major League Baseball is cracking down on pitchers using foreign substances to doctor baseballs. Is anyone on this team about to see their...

Yasmani Grandal's standard stats may look bad, but a deep dive shows his incredible value thus far. Oh, and he's starting to heat up. James Fox of South Side Sox & Future Sox explains his true value to the White Sox. We also discuss possible mid-season trades, the state of the farm system, and the curious case of Garrett Crochet. And after this podcast took a stand for slighted White Sox fans in t...

Your Chicago White Sox sit in first place. Even with several major long-term injuries and a polarizing manager, this season brings hope to Sox fans everywhere. Yet their flagship radio station's talkers are telling people they aren't even close to being the biggest story in Chicago sports? It is us against the world, and that is just the way Sox fans should like it. We also talk Lance Lynn & Carlo...

Memorial Day Weekend is a traditional time to look at baseball's standings and your favorite team's statistics. A team can make a real assessment of assets and needs. We take a look at where the White Sox stand right now with the good, the bad, and the odd. Plus, Tim Anderson's recent struggles at the plate can be fixed by Tony La Russa, if his manager can find a solution for the 2-spot in the lin...

Andrew Vaughn is currently your best active outfielder. Tony La Russa continues to be hit-or-miss with bullpen decisions. Old schoolers are yelling about new schoolers. Fights are breaking out in the stands. Fans are back to having fun at the ballpark. Meanwhile, your first place White Sox push towards June. We play "Choose Your Own Adventure" in this episode, and have a fun conversation about pit...

The last month has been pretty positive overall from a wins & losses perspective, but how long can it last with so many injured outfielders? Adam Engel has become a player that most White Sox fans cannot wait to see return. Plus, George Ofman joins us to give perspective on Tony La Russa as one of the few that have covered him since the day he first became a manager. Find out what has changed and...

He is either a crazy old man stuck inside of a mystical world of "unwritten rules" that - to him - are more important than his own players, or a sly old fox keeping the focus on himself while his young team plays loose against the whole world. Is Tony La Russa playing chess as he guides a first place White Sox team, or is he just begrudgingly along for the ride? Plus, Yoan Moncada may have a bit o...

The White Sox picked a perfect time to get hot, and the teams they are beating this month will have a hard time keeping pace with them. Is the AL Central already a two-team race? Tony La Russa has pushed all the right buttons since Luis Robert went down. Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald joins us to explain how wins and losses will shape clubhouse storylines, and why the best is yet to come for the...

If you are a White Sox fan, you hate the Twins and Royals. How does a mid-May stretch of games with the potential to ruin a hot start for Kansas City sound? What about a chance to really hurt Minnesota early in the season? There is every reason to enjoy White Sox Baseball right now. But, are you worried about the lack of homeruns? Don't worry! We will take a look at the numbers and explain why the...

After the past few weeks, do you have confidence in Tony La Russa creating more wins for the White Sox than losses this season? Much like great players regress to replacement level, it sure looks like a manager can do the same. Rick Hahn, though, can help everything right now with a move even his owner won't prevent. Does he still have it in him to pull the trigger? Brought to you by  Family Water...

Following a devastating injury to Luis Robert, all eyes are now squarely upon White Sox manager Tony La Russa. Tasked with leading a team with issues he never expected when he took the job, La Russa has to now get his team to respond with a "hellacious effort." Meanwhile, the sharks are circling. James Fox of Future Sox also joins us to look at the start of White Sox Minor League Baseball.  Brough...

The White Sox turns the page on the calendar and find themselves in a good spot as May begins. We break down the numbers showing this team is just starting to emerge as a force. Ed also tries desperately to convince everyone that it was all part of the plan when he gave up on Dylan Cease too early. Whether or not you believe in superstitions like his, we can all agree on some recent bad Yermin Mer...

Scott Merkin of MLB.com talks about his recent conversation with White Sox prospect Jake Burger, why Tony La Russa likes starting the 10th inning with a runner on second base, and how the team plans to use Michael Kopech moving forward. Plus, Nick Madrigal is proving to be incredibly unique at the plate. We ask if he really needs to add power to his hitting game. And White Sox fans were arguing ab...

Luis Robert continues to heat up, and the way he is hitting looks less streaky and more like the start of something great. Meanwhile he is the inspiration for a work of art gifted to us by artist Tom Borowski, who explains why painting the White Sox is such a joy these days. We also unveil the ALL NEW SoxInTheBasement.com website, complete with interactive features and a way to instantly check our...

Take a deep dive into some statistics that identify the biggest issue facing the White Sox early in 2021. While some of the offensive problems were inevitable based on the numbers, the solutions are also plain to see. You'll be amazed that Nick Madrigal is holding the team together as much as Yermin Mercedes right now. Ed also surprises by blaming Dylan Cease for everyone else's problems. Brought...

The creator of an innovative Umpire Scorecard system, Ethan Singer, joins the show to talk about just how much an ump can impact a game. Find out how you can get the umpire scores for every White Sox game. Chris also shares some untold stories from the stands during Carlos Rodon's no-hitter, while Ed theorizes that lineup consistency may be the key to waking up some dormant Sox bats.  Brought to y...

The season is young, and the White Sox are talented. James Fox (Future Sox, South Side Sox) tells us that there may be some internal turmoil over the use of White Sox prospect Andrew Vaughn within the organization. We connect the dots and explore the possibility of a manager disconnected with his front office when it comes to a very important part of the team's plans for the next decade.  Brought...

Sox In The Basement was LIVE at Cork & Kerry At The Park on Sunday April 10th! Listen As Matt Zawaski from Pinwheels & Ivy joins us in front of a full house to talk about Opening Weekend, the team so far, and the joy of baseball in person! Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your comments and questions for the next episode! Chri...

Take a break from early season panic to marvel at the White Sox "Super-Hitters" that could be the byproduct of a pandemic. Devin DeYoung from White Sox Player Development joins us from Arizona to explain why a year of focusing on training away from games has the organization's returning minor leaguers ready to take a developmental leap. Plus, MLB had a bad week. But what was their biggest mistake?...

With a lot of expectations and a fanbase that can get worried very easily, Tony La Russa's biggest job may be to keep his young team from getting too high, too low, or too weird. Meanwhile Steve Stone is in mid-season form and we are all here for it! Plus, the guests and giveaways you will get when Sox In The Basement goes LIVE at Cork & Kerry At The Park on Saturday April 10th! Brought to you by ...

Years of rebuilding. A pandemic-shortened season. It all starts to pay off NOW. The White Sox kick off the 2021 season with hope and promise. We preview the entire MLB, plus we preview the opening series with the "All Angels Podcast" as the team heads to Anaheim. Let's Go-Go-Go White Sox! Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your...

The day many White Sox fans dreaded finally happened after Eloy Jimenez injured himself for 5-6 months in the field. What options do the White Sox have now? Jordan Lazowski (Sox on 35th, Diamond Digest) joins us to answer that question, and make a frank warning about moving Andrew Vaughn to LF long-term. Once you can get over your justifiable anger, there is still hope. Brought to you by  Family W...