The Catbird Speaks

The White Sox randomly found themselves ready to sign Machado for a bargain and instead the Padres actually met his demands and now we're basically left with the 2018 roster plus Jon Jay and Yonder Alonso.--Despair;--Frustration;--...Prospects?

Anthony Rescan of the BP R&D team joins Nick Schaefer to talk about the wild range of possibilities for the White Sox from:1. Signing Manny Machado and where he'd play and whether that will happen;2. What the White Sox can do if they don't land someone big; and 3. Talk about the state of the current roster.

The White Sox 2018 season is over. They went 62-100. Nick Schaefer, Collin Whitchurch, and Frank Firke got together to talk about it. Among the subjects:-The general disappointment of the pitching staff. What to make of Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and Carlos Rodon going forward.-The fact that there's still hope for Yoan Moncada, and optimism over Tim Anderson's production.-Thoughts on the White Sox's timeframe for contention, particularly given the glut of injuries to Michael Kopech and various other prospects.-Team-building thoughts coming off the success of this season's Milwaukee Brewers.-Postseason thoughts. Who is going to win the World Series? Who do we want to win the World Series?

Collin Whitchurch, Mark Primiano, and Frank Firke got together on a Thursday evening to talk about a number of White Sox things. Such as:-Disappointment over the fact that the White Sox have yet to promote phenom Eloy Jimenez as he continues to lay waste to Triple-A pitching.-Michael Kopech's bumpier minor league season and when we should expect to see him in Chicago.-Possible August trade candidates, such as James Shields, Leury Garcia, and a host of bullpen options.

Jeff Paternostro, the head of Baseball Prospectus' prospect team, joins Nick Schaefer to discuss the list, the White Sox prospects on it, the system in general, and the organization's future.--Eloy Jimenez;--Michael Kopech;--Dylan Cease;--Luis Robert;--Bryce Harper?!

Since our last podcast, the White Sox have played 16 games and even won one of them! --Carson Fulmer had a good outing;--Yoan Moncada is looking like a monster all of a sudden;--Justin Verlander is a big whiny baby;--Jose Abreu is still the best;--Is Giolito okay?And so much more!

Nick, Mark, and Frank chat White Sox, early 2018 MLB, animals, and the Unwritten Rules.Tune in for:--Tim Anderson and Matt Davidson talk;--The encouraging start of Reynaldo Lopez;--Royals & Tigers schadenfreude; --The Twins being ridiculous; and--Animal chat.

Lacking a guest, Collin Whitchurch and Nick Schaefer got together to talk about the latest White Sox Spring Training happenings, the free agent market, and some Fantasy Baseball. Among the topics:-The White Sox roster situation, including Collin citing way too many Spring Training stats.-The remaining free agents, including reaction to the Mike Moustakas deal that was reported during recording.-Some self-indulgent fantasy talk, White Sox players we might target during our drafts, and general draft strategy.

In one corner you have James Fegan, editor emaritus of BP South Side, White Sox beat writer for The Athletic, and someone who has edited countless Collin Whitchurch and Nick Schaefer posts over the years.In the other corner you have Paul Boyé, contributor to The Good Phight, BP Short Relief contributor, one of Nick Schaefer's best pals, and someone who has never met nor spoken to Collin Whitchurch before this episode was recorded.Listen, as the two match wits in guessing which BP Annual White Sox comments were written by Nick, and which were written by Collin, in an intense game in which you, the listener, is ultimately the winner.

We're less than one month from pitchers and catchers reporting, so Collin and Nick got together to talk about what the White Sox roster looks like, as well as reactions to the latest Hot Stove dealings and the 2018 Hall of Fame class. Among the talking points:-The Brewers' acquisitions of Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain, what that means for them in 2018, and if this kind of model can be expected from the White Sox in a year or two.-What the White Sox roster is going to look like heading into Spring Training, as well as if they will or should take advantage of the stalled free agent market.-The differences in prospect lists from source to source, including some deep diving into the backend of the White Sox farm system rankings.-Jim Thome's election into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and some thoughts on the ballot as a whole.Be sure to follow BP South Side on Twitter @BPSouthSide. You can follow Collin @cowhitchurch and Nick @Nick_BPSS.

--Ohtani signing;--Giancarlo Stanton trade;--Jeter's ownership group;--The Mets;--Jack Morris & Alan Trammell;--Manny Machado rumors;--White Sox "buying" prospects?

There are seven former White Sox on the 2018 Hall of Fame ballot. Dr. Mark Primiano, fresh off his honeymoon, joins Nick Schaefer to discuss the candidacies and remember the careers of everyone from Lidge to Isringhausen. --The slam dunk candidates like Thome and Chipper;--The no chance but fun guys like Johnny Damon;--Defense-driven careers and weird profiles;--The candidates that will infuriate Nick for unhealthy reasons!All of this and more.

The White Sox Top 10 Prospects list was released Friday on Baseball Prospectus, and Jarrett Seidler of BP's prospect team joined Collin and Nick to talk about what went into the construction of the list. Among the topics:-The overall state of the White Sox farm system.-The upside of Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech, what sets them apart from the rest of the system, and what went into picking between the two for the No. 1 spot.-The high upside but risk of a prospect like Dylan Cease.-Alec Hansen's roller coaster ride from potential No. 1 draft pick to terrible college performance to top prospect.-How the hell you rank Luis Robert.-The next group of guys, what to like and dislike from Jake Burger, Dane Dunning, Blake Rutherford, and Zack Collins.-Thoughts on guys outside the Top 10, including Micker Adolfo, Spencer Adams, A.J. Puckett, Yeyson Yrizarri, and more.-Some always necessary talk about Japanese wrestling between Jarrett and Collin, while Nick tries not to fall asleep.Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by searching for "The Catbird Speaks." Please be sure to rate and review us!

The White Sox aren't in the postseason and the offseason hasn't begun in earnest yet. So we sat down with Mo Narang, Yankee fan extraordinaire, and get some perspective from a fan whose team is a little further along in the rebuild than the White Sox are.--Perspective on the Yankees' season--Danny Tartabull--Macro level fantasy strategy--Pax Diamondbacks

Old friend James Fegan of The Athletic joins Collin and Nick to discuss the White Sox as the season winds to a close. Among the topics:-If Lucas Giolito's September success is sustainable.-Carson Fulmer's impressive few starts after a disasterous season.-Yoan Moncada is who we thought we was.-James' latest iteration of the White Sox Top 30 prospects.-Why James loves the Twins and Royals so much.You can subscribe to this podcast on Twitter by searching for "The Catbird Speaks."

Nick and Collin got together on a Thursday afternoon to discuss the success of the White Sox young pitchers, the state of the AL Wild Card race, and a number of other random things. Among the topics:Lucas Giolito's most recent start, as well as how good he's looked during his brief time thus far with the White Sox.Reynaldo Lopez's return and whether or not there's any concern over the minor injury that kept him out for two weeks.Tim Anderson's rebound during the last month and what that means for his future.The Tigers' recent trades, what that means for them and what acquiring Justin Verlander means for the Astros.The mess of the AL Wild Card race and which teams, if any, are actually good.You can subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by searching for "The Catbird Speaks."

Collin and Nick got together on a Tuesday afternoon to talk about recent White Sox activity and all the interesting stuff going on with an otherwise bad baseball team. Among the topics:Carson Fulmer's rotation cameo and what his terrible season means for his future.Reynaldo Lopez's two starts, his injury, and what we've seen out of him in his brief time with the team.Leury Garcia's surprisingly successful season and chances of sticking around when the White Sox are ready to compete again.Season-long improvements from Avisail Garcia, and where he fits in with the White Sox in the future.2018 free agency and long-term financial implications.Jose Abreu being awesome forever and always.You can subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by searching for "The Catbird Speaks."

Cat Garcia (@TheBaseballGirl), former BPSS contributor and current White Sox writer for WLS-AM, joins Collin and Nick to talk about all the White Sox recent promotions and more. Among the topics:-Nicky Delmonico and what he's shown during his brief major league stint.-The patience of Yoan Moncada.-What to expect out of Reynaldo Lopez in his White Sox debut.-Tim Anderson's rough 2017 season.You can subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by searched for The Catbird Speaks. Follow up on Twitter! Nick: @Nick_BPSS, Collin: @cowhitchurch, BP South Side: @BPSouthside

Collin Whitchurch and Nick Schaefer got together to react to the latest White Sox trade as well as the promotion of heralded prospect Yoan Moncada. Among the talking points:-The return for Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle.-The high difference of opinions on Blake Rutherford.-Whether trading Kahnle was the right thing to do.-Any other trades likely? Does anyone want Tommy Kahnle?-The insanely mediocre American League Central-Yoan Moncada's promotion and what to watch from him the rest of the season-Other prospects who might get called up this season. Reynaldo Lopez? Lucas Giolito?You can subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by searching for "The Catbird Speaks.

A mere hours after the news of the White Sox trade that sent Jose Quintana to the Chicago Cubs broke, Collin Whitchurch and Nick Schaefer got together to give us some instant reactions.Among the topics:-The trade market for Quintana, why they didn't trade him earlier, and why they said yes this time around.-What the additions of Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease bring to the White Sox.-The state of the White Sox farm system post-trade.-Randomly, the 2008 Futures Game, famous prospect busts, and how far the White Sox farm system has come in such a short time.-What Jose Quintana has meant to the White Sox from a fan's perspective.-What this means in terms of other White Sox trades that could be coming down the road.Be sure to read Ryan Schultz's quick take on the Quintana trade at BPSouthside.com. You can also read Nick Schaefer's Wednesday chat at BaseballProspectus.com, and several members of our staff participated in BP's Top 50 Prospect Busts list. Also be sure to head over to BPWrigleyville.com for perspective on the trade from the Cubs' point of view. And finally, check out the official Transaction Analysis at BP, as well.