The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Ep. 204: Daniel Palka calls White Sox computer projections “comical”

With pitchers and catchers set to report on Wednesday, Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber talk about all the position players already in Arizona for spring training (1:30). Then Daniel Palka speaks with Chuck about improvements he’s made defensively and how his appearances on the podcast helps boost ratings (5:30), why Palka doesn’t watch movies (07:40), Jake Burger coming back from two torn Achilles injuries (08:20), the “comical” computer projections for the White Sox in 2019 (09:20), what it’s like being better looking than Mike Moustakas and Brad Pitt (11:20) and more.Then Vinnie comes back to talk about Nicky Delmonico being “pissed off” about losing 100 games and hoping to win the division in 2019 (14:00) and Chuck tells stories about his road trip from Chicago to Arizona (17:00).

Ep. 203: Top storylines heading into White Sox spring training

Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber are joined by MLB.com's Scott Merkin, while Chuck Garfien is on the road to Arizona. The guys start by going over their top three storylines for the White Sox as spring training approaches. Plus, what's with the PECOTA projections that say the Sox are going to have another lousy season?00:35 - What if Harper and Machado forgo this season to be the next True Detective stars?2:10 - Even if the White Sox land Harper or Machado, it doesn't necessarily mark the end of the rebuild4:06 - Vinnie's No. 3 story for spring training: Dylan Cease4:53 - Merk's No. 3 story: Carlos Rodon6:06 - Guff's No. 3: the starting pitching overall9:52 - Merk's No. 2 story: Jimenez and Moncada11:03 - While we're talking Jimenez... that's Vinnie's No. 1 story.12:30 - Guff's No. 2 story: Eloy... not if, but when15:24 - Back to Vinnie's No. 2 story: Luis Robert17:31 - Merk's No. 1 story: Do Sox land Machado or Harper?19:01 - Guff's No. 1 story: The Manny Machado effect22:33 - Vinnie is jealous that Chuck is on a fun road trip23:54: The PECOTA projections aren't great

Ep. 202: What the heck is going on with Harper and Machado?

The wait continues for both free agents to sign. Are we just delaying the inevitable that Harper signs with the Phillies and Machado with the White Sox?Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey speak with USA Today's Bob Nightengale who wrote an article entitled, "MLB's free agency freeze is an embarrassment for baseball."Who or what is to blame for why they're still unsigned? (6:50) Is it still between the White Sox and Phillies for Machado? (12:48) Could this last into March? (16:00)Is the Nationals offer to Harper still on the table? (17:30) Is the Padres pursuit for real? (25:00) Nightengale makes his predictions for Machado and Harper (25:50).Should we believe in mystery teams? (26:40) How a salary floor for all 30 MLB teams could be a solution (27:30) and more.

Ep. 201: Where do the White Sox stand with Harper and Machado?

With the calendar hitting February and both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado still unsigned, will either of them end up signing with the White Sox? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey break it all down with the latest news and how it might affect the White Sox chances going forward. White Sox are reportedly still an active suitor for Harper (4:00). How serious are the Padres? (8:10) How do the final negotiations and final offers play out for the White Sox? (15:00) Some free agents who actually got stupid money this winter (22:00). When do Harper and Machado need to sign? (28:20) And more!

Ep. 200: Everything we learned at SoxFest

After three days of SoxFest, we learned a whole lot about the White Sox offseason, their pursuit of Manny Machado and what might happen in 2019 and 2020. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber cover it all. Rick Hahn says he'll be "personally disappointed" if the White Sox don't get one of the premium free agents (3:00), Eloy Jimenez says he wants to win Rookie of the Year (6:25). Tim Anderson says "shortstop is mine" (10:23), Yonder Alonso FaceTimed Manny Machado with Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada (13:05), Michael Kopech says the plan is to win a World Series in 2020 (15:46), Rick Hahn referred to himself as a "jackass" for trading Fernando Tatis Jr. (24:12) and much more.

Ep. 199: Michael Kopech’s 2020 vision

On a special 200th episode of the White Sox Talk Podcast, Michael Kopech joins Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey at SoxFest. Kopech rocks a White Sox onesie which he won on the podcast in December (1:20). He talks about his rollercoaster 2018 season (6:20), why the timing of his Tommy John surgery couldn’t be better (13:00), the challenge of not pitching in 2019 (15:10), going after Deadspin by sticking up for a teammate he hasn’t met (18:00), why the White Sox players are talking about winning a World Series in 2020 (28:05) and more.

Ep. 198: Yonder Alonso on all things Manny Machado

Newly acquired first baseman Yonder Alonso joins Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey at podcast and sheds some new light on his relationship with brother-in-law and MLB free agent Manny Machado. Alonso discusses how Machado was with him when he found out he was acquired by the White Sox, and even said he FaceTimed with Machado during SoxFest. Yonder also shares the story of how he thought he was actually going to be drafted by the White Sox years ago and expands upon his relationship with manager Rick Renteria.

Ep. 197: Rick Hahn and Rick Renteria from SoxFest

Chuck Garfien is joined by Rick Hahn, Rick Renteria, and Jason Benetti in a live podcast taping from SoxFest1:45 - Hahn on why Machado decision is taking so long4:15 - Renteria on why he’s not concerned about Machado timing changing his lineup5:15 - Hahn on why rumors from media have almost all been wrong this offseason6:45 - Renteria on Yonder Alonso and his skillset7:30 - Renteria on which 2018 Sox players grew the most during the season8:55 - Renteria on Yoan Moncada and growth during season and off-season10:20 - Hahn on visiting Eloy Jimenez and his family in the off-season12:50 - Reacting to Eloy saying that he plans to win Rookie of the Year13:45 - Hahn on the pursuit of Machado and how the Sox are major players in free agency15:45 - Hahn on why Sox are set up for a very bright future17:15 - Hahn on why he used the word ‘fail’ when describing pursuit of Machado19:00 - Hahn on his favorite offseason additions21:00 - Renteria on how much contact he has with players in the offseason22:10 - Renteria on his own offseason and approach23:00 - Renteria on what baseball nightmare he wakes up from24:05 - Hahn on status of Kelvin Herrera and status for opening day25:05 - Renteria on Carlos Rodon26:05 - Renteria on how to cultivate leadership in a young clubhouse

Ep. 196: Joc Pederson to the White Sox?

Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber discuss the rumor that the White Sox have been in talks with the Dodgers about acquiring outfielder Joc Pederson.Good move? Bad move? (1:30) What should the White Sox give up for him? (8:30) Plus, don't overlook the moves the White Sox have already made this offseason (17:20), why Dane Dunning and Zack Burdi didn't get an invite to White Sox spring training (19:40) and a SoxFest preview (23:15)

Ep. 195: Inside the White Sox prospects trip to the Dominican Republic

Thirteen of the White Sox top American born prospects are in the Dominican Republic this week for a cultural exchange trip organized by the White Sox, giving players like Dylan Cease, Nick Madrigal, Zack Collins and Dane Dunning a first-hand experience to learn about the country where many of their Latin teammates like Eloy Jimenez call home. Chuck Garfien speaks with Ryan McGuffey who is covering the trip for NBC Sports Chicago. They talk about the White Sox training academy in the Dominican Republic (3:50), what the players are learning and how they're bonding on the trip (6:30), the crazy atmosphere going to a Dominican Winter League game (11:10), going with Reynaldo Lopez to the home where he grew up (14:40), personal stories from the trip (23:15) and more.