Sox Machine

Date: 2/10/2021 After the MLB Owners meeting concluded in Orlando, commissioner Rob Manfred spoke to the media. Despite some verbal gaffes regarding if MLB teams are a wise investment, a few are cautiously optimistic an end to the lockout is on the horizon. Is it, though? It mostly depends on how the conversation goes between both parties on Saturday.  Josh and Jim discuss the timing of when a new...

Guest: Jim Callis, MLB.com We kick off Prospect Week at Sox Machine with one of our best friends, Jim Callis of MLB.com, stopping by to chat. He shares his thoughts on the top White Sox prospects garnering the most interest and a preview of the upcoming 2022 MLB Draft class.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adsw...

While a foot of snow falls on Chicago, Josh and Jim chat about the latest contentious CBA negotiations. Are they sweating a delayed start of Spring Training? Are they worried that a lack of progress will push back opening Day? They share their optimistic and pessimistic viewpoints.  Meanwhile, FanGraphs has released their early ZiPS projected standings, and things look for the Chicago White Sox wi...

The Frontier League is introducing SUDDEN DEATH extra-inning rules in 2022. Enter the 11th inning (or 9th inning of a 7-inning game); the home team manager will get to pick if his team will play on offense or defense. If the offensive team scores, they win the game. If the defensive team holds, they win the game. It's a crazy idea, but it intrigues Josh and Jim to see if it would work better in ML...

MLB and the Players Association met earlier this week in hopes of working closer to a new CBA. With the reported proposals, are we seeing the two parties moving towards a deal? Eugene Freedman is a labor lawyer who is a big baseball fan and had negotiated many CBA's for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. He's been keeping close tabs on the conversations and shares his unique insight...

Record Date: 1/24/2022 As the MLB Lockout persists, Josh and Jim chat about a few topics on their mind. Chicago's enjoyment of the 49ers beating the Packers, and do the White Sox have that certain opponent which fans get to experience some schadenfreude. Hall of Fame announcement is Tuesday, January 25. Jim shares his predictions on who will get the call and if Mark Buerhle survives the 5% cutoff....

Stream Date : 1/19/2022 In an attempt to settle and break the MLB Lockout, Sox Machine hosts a Mock Trial. Josh Nelson will represent the Player's Association while Beefloaf of Fromthe108 will rep the MLB Owners. Can the two sides find enough common ground for a deal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com...

Guest: Phil Selig, Cuba Dugout Despite the MLB Lockout, the International Signing Period is underway as teams make their announced additions to their prospect pipeline. For the Chicago White Sox, the rumored signing of Cuban OF Oscar Colas has been around for more than a calendar year. As the time comes for him to finally sign, what should White Sox fans know about Colas? Joining the show is Phil...

In the latest CBA negotiations, MLB’s owners proposed economic changes to the Players Association. Focusing on updating the Super 2 payment structure, minimizing service time manipulation, and offering an International Draft.  Josh and Jim comb through the reported offerings pointing out the faults of the Owner’s proposal. Are these offerings good enough to keep the Players Association at the tabl...

Tim Anderson had another terrific season in 2021 earning his first All-Star nod on his way to another 4+ WAR season. Entering 2022, where does Tim Anderson rank among the best shortstops in the game? Also with all of these mega contracts being signed by free-agent shortstops, what could Anderson’s future value look like in the open market? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...

In light of recent reports from Jeff Passan of ESPN, and Max Scherzer answering questions for the LA Times, Josh and Jim recap the latest regarding the MLB Lockout. Why is there no urgency from the league to meet with the MLBPA? What is the central concern for the MLBPA? Is there an easy path to a new CBA?  Plus, their thoughts on Ken Rosenthal leaving MLB Network and Alex Rodriquez possibly getti...

The Chicago White Sox had plans to challenge Andrew Vaughn with an aggressive assignment in 2021. They just didn’t know it would be out of position for Vaughn and playing primarily in left field. While Vaughn did admirably defensively, the bat-first prospect had his share of struggles at the plate, especially against right-handed pitching.  Entering 2022, what is Andrew Vaughn’s role with the Whit...

Published Date: 12/30/2021 With New Year’s around the corner, Josh and Jim look back at the Chicago White Sox best moments in 2021. Then they share their personal 2022 resolutions and the goals they have for the White Sox to focus on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collecti...

Unfortunately, White Sox fans only got to watch Luis Robert play in 68 games during the 2021 season. When Robert did play, he put on a show with a monster run through the postseason. If Robert can stay healthy in 2022, and that’s a big IF, can he be the next White Sox MVP candidate? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See p...

Record Date : 12/21/2021 In light of the blockbuster movie Spider-Man: No Way Home , Josh and Jim decide to enter the Chicago White Sox multiverse. What past outcomes would they change and why? Which past players would they pluck from previous timelines and place on the 2022 White Sox roster? Finally, who on the current roster would they send back in time to help a past White Sox team? Join them a...

2020 wasn’t great for Dylan Cease who struggled to generate strikeouts and posted a -0.3 fWAR. With better command of his fastball, Cease took a big step forward in his development leading the White Sox in strikeouts in 2021. What caused this turnaround? We discuss Cease’s adjustments and ponder if the time is right for a possible contract extension. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...

Episode Date: 12/16/2021 Josh and Jim remember Roland Hemond who died at the age of 92. As GM of the White Sox from 1970 to 1985, Hemond overcame unique challenges to build winning ballclubs on the South Side. And his trade for Dick Allen may have saved the White Sox from moving to Milwaukee.  Plus, an update on how the early voting is going for baseball’s Hall of Fame and the latest lockout talks...

Eloy Jimenez only appeared in 55 games during 2021 because of a self-inflicted injury during Spring Training. While he hit for power in his first 15 games back, Jimenez faded in his last 40 games ending with a league-average OPS+. Is the pectoral injury to blame for Jimenez's offensive struggles in 2021? Or are there other red flags? With hopes of a bounce-back performance in 2022, is this also th...

Yasmani Grandal had a slow start to 2021 but a roaring finish as he was one of the best White Sox hitters. There's no doubt about his offensive contributions going into 2022, but after having knee surgery and entering his age 33 season, is it time to reduce Grandal's innings behind home plate? Josh Nelson and Patrick Nolan recap Grandal's 2021 season and address fans' concerns about his defense on...

It finally happened. The Golden Era Committee voted Minnie Miñoso into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Josh and Jim recap the news while taking a look at those that didn't make the call in Dick Allen and Billy Pierce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal...

Greg Nix joins Josh to process the news of Major League Baseball owners voting to begin a lockout. Discuss which leaked proposal ideas regarding playoff expansion they like best, and take a look at what the White Sox have done this offseason. Are bigger moves in store post-lockout? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pc...

Stream Date: 11/28/2021 Josh is joined by our friends over at Fromthe108 to discuss the latest MLB Hot Stove news. - Marcus Semien to Texas - Byron Buxton $100 Million to stay in Minnesota - Max Scherzer to the New York Mets - Kevin Gausman to the Toronto Blue Jays - Even old friend, Avisail Garcia, is getting paid. So, what will the White Sox do? They discuss that and more on this episode of Sox...

Date: 11/23/2021 The Chicago White Sox make their first signing of the 2021/22 offseason and its reliever Kendall Graveman. Josh and Jim break down the signing of how Graveman can help the White Sox and ponder what's next. With Craig Kimbrel still on the roster, what are the offseason priorities for the White Sox? Most importantly, when will they address those priorities. With Thanksgiving approac...

Liam Hendriks was Rick Hahn's big free-agent signing last offseason figuring his new closer was the missing piece. Leading the American League in Saves and winning AL Reliever of the Year again, Hendriks lived up to his end. However, was Hendriks the missing piece? Or is he a luxury for a team that still needs to make a significant investment to address existing roster holes? Learn more about your...

After missing the last two seasons, it was great to see Michael Kopech in a White Sox uniform in 2021. His season started great as Kopech flashed his potential on several occasions leading to the thought of more incredible things to come. However, a hamstring injury knocked him out for a month, and his stuff suffered. With a possible spot open in the 2022 White Sox starting rotation, is Kopech rea...