The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

On Day 3 of the MLB Winter Meetings, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn came on the podcast to talk with Chuck Garfien about the White Sox offseason plans and their future. Among the topics: the trade market for Jose Abreu, rebuilding the bullpen and possible free-agent pitchers the White Sox might sign (Garfien gives Hahn a couple suggestions). Hahn also explains why next offseason the White Sox will be more active with moves, and he promises to come on a future remote White Sox Talk Podcast as long as there is karaoke. Then, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago joins the podcast to talk about Jerry Reinsdorf saying it will be “a joke” if Jim Thome doesn’t make the Hall of Fame on the first ballot and why the White Sox likely won’t trade for Manny Machado.

On Day 2 of the MLB Winter Meetings, Chuck Garfien speaks with legendary baseball writer Peter Gammons, who shares his knowledge about the key figures in the White Sox rebuild. He explains why Michael Kopech will win a Cy Young Award one day, and he raves about Carson Fulmer as well as the returns the White Sox got last year at the Winter Meetings in the Sale and Eaton trades. Then Garfien is joined by White Sox manager Rick Renteria who talks about Jose Abreu’s leadership, if he sees the White Sox trading Abreu, what he’s seen from Luis Robert and more. We wrap up the podcast with NBC Sports Chicago’s Vinnie Duber, who’s covering the White Sox at the Winter Meetings. They discuss whether the White Sox would trade for Manny Machado or Christian Yelich and give a list of free-agent pitchers the White Sox should sign.

On Day 1 of the MLB Winter Meetings, Dan Plesac of MLB Network joins Chuck Garfien to talk about the White Sox rebuild. He raves about the team future and says he believes the White Sox could compete for a wild card berth in 2018. Plesac talks at length about White Sox prospects Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech. He also uses his incredible photographic memory to recall certain at-bats he had in career against Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield, Cal Ripken, Rafael Palmiero and Mo Vaughn. You’ll also hear Rick Hahn speak with reporters about trade talk picking up since arriving at the Winter Meetings and A.J. Pierzynski talks about being named a White Sox team ambassador and wanting to call a game this season with Hawk Harrelson.

Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Chris Kamka break down the White Sox signing of Welington Castillo. What does it mean for the pitching staff? How does it affect top catching prospect Zack Collins? Plus, Garfien explains why Castillo will make the White Sox more competitive in 2018. They all give "the one thing" the White Sox need to do at the MLB Winter Meetings next week, how they would have pitched Shohei Otani to come to the White Sox and Chris Kamka gives a heartfelt plea to get Minnie Minoso in the Hall of Fame in the debut of Kamka's Corner.

On this edition of the podcast, Chuck Garfien, Chris Kamka and Ryan McGuffey tackle the latest trade rumors surrounding the White Sox. Are the White Sox really interested in Jackie Bradley Jr? Why the trade market for Jose Abreu could be strong this winter. What teams are possible destinations for Avisail Garcia? Is Omar Vizquel coming back to the White Sox organization? And more. Plus, the guys answer the best fan questions that didn't make it on the All-request White Sox Talk Podcast in October. They include questions about Jose Quintana, J.D. Martinez, Chet Lemon, Ross Gload, Chris Widger and hot dogs.

27-year-old Justin Jirschele made quite an impression in his first season as manager of the White Sox Class-A affiliate in Kannapolis. He helped lead the Intimidators to the South Atlantic League championship, and was named White Sox Minor League Coach of the Year. Jirschele came on the podcast to speak with Chuck Garfien about how he went from playing minor league baseball with the White Sox to coaching in their system. He talks about how growing up with a dad who was coaching minor league baseball helped mold him as a manager who is wise beyond his years. Jirschele also gives a report on some of the top White Sox prospects he managed last season such as Jake Burger, Alec Hansen, Dane Dunning and Miker Adolfo.

White Sox Hall of Famer Frank Thomas came on the podcast to talk with Chuck Garfien about his past, baseball's present and the future of the White Sox. He talks about his first major league hit (a stand-up triple!), how fame affected him when he was a player, his appearance on David Letterman in the 1990's and more. Plus, what was wrong with the baseball this past season? Thomas has some ideas and tells Garfien how many home runs he would have hit with that baseball in his prime. He talks about working with Alex Rodriguez at Fox and what it was like whenever A-Rod's girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, came to visit in the studio. Thomas praises the White Sox rebuild and reveals an idea he presented to GM Rick Hahn about where all the top prospects should play this upcoming season. He describes what it was like going to Roy Halladay's funeral, if he sees the White Sox signing Manny Machado in 2019 and much more.

After spending last week in the Dominican Republic working with White Sox prospect Luis Robert, Aaron Rowand comes on the podcast to give us the inside scoop about the Cuban outfielder who the White Sox signed last season for $26 million and could very well be their centerfielder of the future. Video of Robert on the internet has been scarce, so Rowand fills in a lot of the gaps talking about his bat, defense, speed and personality. Rowand, now the White Sox minor league outfield and baserunning instructor, also raves about Eloy Jimenez and Micker Adolfo. Plus, he gives us an off-the-radar White Sox prospect who fans should pay more attention to in the future.

We took the White Sox Talk Podcast to White Sox fans for our first remote podcast at Reggie’s Bar in the South Loop. White Sox play by play announcer Jason Benetti joined the crew for to talk about taking over for Hawk Harrelson and what the White Sox will do this off-season. Will they trade Jose Abreu or Avi Garcia? When will Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech make their White Sox debuts? Benetti, Garfien, Hayes, McGuffey and Kamka predict what free agents the White Sox will sign this winter and a whole lot more.

After starting the final game of the season for the Charlotte Knights (the White Sox Triple-A team), Tyler Danish was driving to his home in Tampa, Florida when he was hit by a semi-truck in a 23-car accident in Jacksonville. In his first interview since the accident, Danish explains to Chuck Garfien what happened that night, why he thinks he survived the crash and how the experience has changed his life. The White Sox second round pick in 2013 also talks about his baseball career, his struggles in the minor leagues, making his first major league start for the White Sox in 2017 and his hopes of being part of their future.