Sox Machine

Josh and Jim contemplate how the Chicago White Sox stack up against the best teams in both the American League and Major League Baseball. With the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman, they are the clear favorites to win the World Series. How far away are the White Sox? And would signing Michael Conforto help bridge the talent gap?  They also remember Pete Ward, who passed away on March 17t...

Record Date: 3/13/2022 The Chicago White Sox have been busy post-lockout. They continue adding more relievers to their pitching staff, signing Joe Kelly and Vince Velasquez. To help at second base, veteran Josh Harrison was added to the fold. While these three signings support the White Sox with depth, we are still waiting for Rick Hahn to pull off the major move. Do the White Sox have it in them...

Guest: James Fegan, The Athletic With MLB CBA negotiations still ongoing we visit with Chicago White Sox beat reporter for The Athletic, James Fegan. He shares insight from Glendale, Arizona as he watches White Sox minor league camp. This episode is sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook. For Illinois residents, use promo code SOXMACHINE when signing up for special offers. Learn more about your ad cho...

Record Date: 3/6/2022 With MLB CBA negotiations dragging, Josh and Jim decided to change things up by emptying out the listener mailbag. Answering questions about: Next home renovation projects MLB relegation The new CHGO media platform Development impact for players playing out of position How many fans MLB will lose over the lockout Guitar Hero or Rock Band Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

At least six games have been canceled by Commissioner Rob Manfred, and how things stand with CBA negotiations, we could see even more games get wiped off the schedule. This episode provides audio from both Manfred and MLBPA President Tony Clark from their press conferences. Afterward, Josh and Jim point out where the fault ultimately lies: the owners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...

MLB CBA negotiations are still not progressing to the point of a new deal coming soon. Now that MLB's deadline has come to avoid cancellation of regular-season games, is the entire month of April at risk? Josh and Jim discuss while wishing there was more consistent reporting of the details and insight on which MLB owners are causing issues. They also answer your questions about a new game show for...

Josh and Jim were optimistic that a new CBA could be agreed upon a few days ago this week. Despite both MLB and MLBPA meeting daily, there’s little progress being made. Now, MLB is threatening that if a new CBA is not agreed upon by Monday, February 28, regular-season games will begin to be canceled. They discuss how crazy it is that MLB willing to lose millions over what seems to be slight increa...

After last week’s 15 minute meeting both MLB and MLBPA have agreed to bring the key decisions makers to the table. This week, they will meet daily in hopes of hashing out a new CBA and ending the MLB Lockout. Is there reason to believe a new deal could be had? Or is this more smoke and the threat of delaying Opening Day becomes a reality? Josh and Jim discuss that and the new wearable technology s...

Keith Law drops in for his annual chat about the White Sox farm system, which is last in his organizational rankings, but with a top-20 prospect list that has more to watch than a 30th-place finish would suggest. Links: Keith Law's MLB farm system rankings Keith Law's top 20 White Sox prospects for 2022 Book recommendation: Hell of a Book by Jason Mott Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...

After Rob Manfred sparked cautious optimism about a "good proposal" from the Owners to the MLBPA, the offer was another dud. Still short on what the MLBPA is asking for in the Competitive Balance Tax, minimum salaries, and pre-arbitration bonus pools. Is it time to start worrying about Opening Day being delayed?  While MLB camp will not open this week, the minor leaguers participate in mini-camps....

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...