The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Picking the White Sox biggest X-factor for the 2021 season

As the White Sox prepare for the 2021 season, which player is going to be the difference between the team making it to the playoffs and making it to the World Series? In other words: Who's the biggest X-factor? Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber, and Ryan McGuffey discuss a host of candidates, plus hear Liam Hendriks and Yasmani Grandal talk about a couple of them before the crew comes up with its pick for the biggest X-factor on the White Sox roster.(3:00) - What does it mean to be an X-factor?(7:12) - Can Luis Robert be the X-Factor that will propel the White Sox this year?(11:20) - Yasmani Grandal thinks Dylan Cease can be a Cy Young finalist(20:50) - Does the uncertainty of where or when Michael Kopech will play stop him from being an X-factor for the White Sox?(23:55) - Liam Hendriks thinks the addition of Adam Eaton was one of the more important on the White Sox and Eaton can be the X-factor the team needs(31:10) - Yasmani Grandal's ability to be consistent can be the X-factor the White Sox need in 2021(39:13) - The final decision, who is the biggest X-Factor for the White Sox in 2021

White Sox set ’World Series or bust’ expectations as spring training begins

On Day 1 of spring training, general manager Rick Hahn told reporters that the goal is for the White Sox to win the World Series in 2021. That ought to get South Side fans fired up for baseball season. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber react to Hahn's comments, as well as Tony La Russa's interview with Bob Nightengale and the idea that Michael Kopech could possibly start the season as part of the White Sox bullpen.(1:50) - Rick Hahn sets the standard with World Series or bust mentality to begin the season(6:00) - Tony La Russa's sit down interview with Bob Nightengale(11:14) - Tony La Russa discusses his latest arrest, and if he considered resigning from the White Sox(16:30) - Should the White Sox consider using Michael Kopech out of the Bullpen instead of having him in the minors?(24:40) - Rick Hahn views Michael Kopech as a major league starter and details what they want from him and what they are looking for this season(28:55) - Andrew Vaughn will be in the mix for DH. Does Yermin Mercedes have a shot?

White Sox well represented in preseason American League MVP, Cy Young odds

If José Abreu wants to repeat as American League MVP in 2021, he's got plenty of competition on his own team. Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber, and Ryan McGuffey go over the preseason MVP odds put out by PointsBet Sportsbook, which include several White Sox stars. Is there a lack of respect for Abreu? Should Eloy Jiménez and Tim Anderson have even better odds? Then there are the preseason Cy Young odds. One White Sox pitcher has some of the best odds out there, and a surprising name shows up on the list, too.(2:30) - White Sox place six players on preseason MVP odds list(6:35) - Three White Sox players have 25-to-1 odds to win MVP(12:30) - Will Luis Robert take a Mike Trout style type leap in his second year in the majors?(15:00) - Yasmani Grandal has 30-to-1 odds to win the AL MVP(19:00) - Eloy Jiménez and Tim Anderson are 40-to-1 to win MVP: too high?(26:07) - Who has the best odds to win the Cy Young?(31:10) - Dylan Cease surprisingly places on the Cy Young odds list

Tim Anderson gets you fired up for the 2021 White Sox season

With spring training about to begin, Chuck Garfien speaks with White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson to get you primed for baseball season. They talk about the White Sox offseason moves, how new manager Tony La Russa will fit with the team, why Anderson didn't do any bat flips last season, and MLB Network ranking Anderson the 10th best shortstop in the game (hint: he's not happy about it). Plus, the two discuss what the White Sox were missing last season, what it would mean to Anderson to win a World Series, and much more.(5:10) - Why he didn't bat flip last season(7:28) - Being ranked the 10th best shortstop in baseball, "That's bulls***"(13:56) - What it's like being on the cover of RBI Baseball 21?(24:00) - His initial reaction to the White Sox hiring Tony La Russa and how he'll fit with the players(34:41) - Anderson reacts to Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine saying Tim is "Bringing swag back to baseball"(39:12) - PECOTA projections having the White Sox only winning 83 games and losing the division(44:20) - The White Sox offseason moves and what was missing last season

Luis Robert is the White Sox player no one’s talking about this offseason

With so much focus on who the White Sox did and didn't add to the roster this winter, it seems one of the biggest X-factors for the 2021 season has flown a little bit under the radar. Luis Robert had an impressive rookie season, displaying his immense talent and five-tool ability. But what awaits in 2021, now that he's gotten his first taste of the major leagues? Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber discuss the glimpse of potential that Robert provided during his rookie season and what fans can expect from the superstar in the making this season. Plus, where should Tony La Russa slot Robert in his batting order?(2:15) - Has Luis Robert gone under the radar this offseason?(7:00) - What could be in store for Luis Robert in 2021?(12:40) - Luis Robert's struggles last season(16:50) - Where will Robert bat in the lineup?(23:20) - Luis Robert is already on a path to be an elite defender if he's not there already(29:20) - How will Robert start the season when the weather won't be warm?

Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio says White Sox can win the pennant

After making the playoffs in 2020 and adding to the club this winter, the White Sox are looking like one of the best teams in the AL, and MLB Network Radio host Mike Ferrin agrees. Chuck Garfien speaks with Ferrin about the White Sox offseason moves and why he believes they can make it to the World Series. The guys also examine whether the White Sox need to add more before the season begins and whether top ranked prospect Andrew Vaughn be the answer at DH in 2021.(2:00) - What's it like covering and broadcasting baseball during the pandemic?(7:20) - Is Tony La Russa the right fit for the White Sox?(12:10) - Breaking down the White Sox roster, including offseason additions Adam Eaton and Lance Lynn(21:10) - Who will be the White Sox designated hitter, and if it's Andrew Vaughn, will he be ready?(26:15) - Who will win the AL Central: the White Sox or the Twins?(34:45) - White Sox broadcasting team gets a boost with Len Kasper

What Nelson Cruz returning to Minnesota means for the Twins and White Sox

With White Sox killer Nelson Cruz resigning with the Twins, how does this affect not only the Twins but the White Sox in 2021? Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber discuss where the White Sox stand after the big move by their division rivals, and will rookie Andrew Vaughn be ready to be the White Sox regular DH? Plus, can the White Sox rely on Carlos Rodon and is the White Sox front office done making moves?(1:50) - First impressions of Nelson Cruz going back to Minnesota(5:10) - Did the White Sox have a chance to get Nelson Cruz?(10:30) - Will Andrew Vaughn be the DH the White Sox need?(17:10) - What will the White Sox do to try to slow Cruz this season?(22:20) - Who will be the five starters in the White Sox rotation? Should the White Sox keep adding pitching?(30:46) - Are the White Sox done adding to the roster before the start of the season?

The White Sox ’Tournament of G.O.A.T.S.’ Which team is the all-time best?

Which White Sox team is the best in franchise history? 2005? 1906? 1959? 1993? The White Sox and Out of the Park Baseball came together to create a video game simulation where 16 of the best White Sox teams battle it out in the Tournament of G.O.A.T.S., to determine which squad is the all-time greatest. Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey speak with Rich Grisham, COO of Out of the Park Developments about the fun details of the video game and tournament. Then Chuck, Ryan, and Chris Kamka go over their brackets, predicting the winners of each match-up and who they think will win the entire tournament. Who ya got?(2:10) - Rich Grisham on pitting teams from different eras against each other(5:30) - Simulating games in using all the ballparks in White Sox history(9:30) - Which matchups create the most intrigue in the tournament?(15:00) - Chuck, Ryan, and Chris fill out their brackets, March Madness style(24:50) - The 2020 White Sox are in the tournament(34:15) - 1977 "South Side Hitmen" vs 2000 "The Kids Can Play"(43:00) - Will the 1917 World Series Champions make it out of the first round?(49:30) - Which team wins the tournament?

White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal wants to join MLB’s 3,000-hit club

Nick Madrigal is ready for big things in 2021 — and over the course of his big league career. Chuck Garfien goes 1-on-1 with the White Sox second baseman, discussing Madrigal’s rookie season, what he looks to build off of, what he is looking to do in 2021, and his career goal of joining the 3,000-hit club. (2:15) - Nick Madrigal breaks down his rookie season and what it was like to debut in the middle of a pandemic(6:00) - Madrigal on whether the shortened season allowed him enough time in the majors to feel comfortable(11:40) - Madrigal talks about issues he's had facing certain pitchers and what he learned from the White Sox playoff appearance(23:30) - Madrigal feels 3,000 hits is a very reachable goal for his career

Why MLB Network’s Jon Morosi voted for Mark Buehrle for the Hall of Fame

White Sox great Mark Buehrle was one of several first-timers on this year's Hall of Fame ballot. He didn't earn election this time around — no one did this year — but a noticeable amount of voters included Buehrle on their ballots. That group included MLB Network's Jon Morosi, who joins Chuck Garfien to discuss why he put Buehrle on his ballot this year and why he believes the legendary White Sox lefty belongs in the Hall of Fame. Morosi also weighs in on the 2021 White Sox, making his pick for the team's X-factor that could put the South Siders over the top.(2:36) - Why Jon Morosi included Mark Buehrle on his Hall of Fame ballot(9:55) - How will pitchers be judged by Hall of Fame voters since wins aren't as meaningful as they used to be?(13:00) - The process voters go through when filling out their Hall of Famer ballots(16:00) - Reaction to Curt Schilling not wanting to be on the ballot next year(20:00) - Will the White Sox make another move this offseason? Who is the X-factor that could put them over the top?(26:35) - Where will Nelson Cruz sign?(28:55) - Morosi's thoughts on Tony LaRussa