Should the Chicago White Sox rethink their pitching strategy by trusting young arms like Mike Vasil, David Sandlin, Shane Murphy, or Tanner McDougal with the final spot in the rotation rather signing a veteran starter to fill it?

Host Todd Welter weighs the pros and cons of giving prospects a runway, debates the futures of Andrew Benintendi and Lenyn Sosa, and reacts to news about Mike Vasil’s rotation battle.

Optimism builds for catcher Edgar Quero’s power breakthrough in 2026 following his offseason work at Driveline, while Welter shares his top picks for the White Sox’s first-ever Alumni Home Run Derby. Names like Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Jose Abreu, and Carlos Quentin headline the wish list—who will the fans see step up for a curtain call at Rate Field? Get insights on roster flexibility, trade assets, and the evolving path to White Sox stardom.

00:00 – Sox Rotation: Young Arms vs Veteran
Todd Welter opens with his analysis on whether the White Sox should prioritize adding a veteran starter, or instead give runway to young pitchers like David Sandlin, Mike Vasil, Tanner McDougal, and others.

12:05 – Edgar Quero Power Potential
Todd Welter breaks down Edgar Quero’s offseason work with Driveline to improve his bat speed and launch angle, hoping it results in increased power. The segment discusses both skeptics and the technical advances driving this change.

21:08 – Alumni Home Run Derby Picks
Todd Welter reacts to the upcoming White Sox Alumni Home Run Derby, shares his wish list of participants, and speculates who might realistically take part based on age and past examples.

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.
Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

FanDuel
If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To properly fit the recently signed Austin Hays into the lineup, and still give young players like Brooks Baldwin a runway, it would be best for the Chicago White Sox to dump Andrew Benintendi or trade Lenyn Sosa.

Host Todd Welter spotlights how these moves could unlock more at-bats for prospects like Brooks Baldwin, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, and force the Sox to reconsider their stance on sunk costs and player value.

Mailbag highlights include speculation on adding a veteran pitcher to the rotation, potential trades for bullpen reinforcements, and takeaways from Sox Fest, sharing Elijah Evans’ insight on prospect usage, strategy around player development, and hints at future roster moves—like Sam Antonacci’s expanded role and Tanner McDougal’s timeline. White Sox fans get a comprehensive look at how roster flexibility, trade value, and upcoming draft strategies could change the team's trajectory for the 2026 season. Can Chicago balance youth development with immediate performance and finally escape past contract misfires?

00:00 — Benintendi & Sosa Dilemma
Todd Welter explores the roster crunch created by the Austin Hays signing, and why either Andrew Benintendi or Lenyn Sosa must go to free runway for young White Sox players.

11:03 — Sox Fest Insights & Prospects
Todd Welter recaps takeaways from Sox Fest, sharing Elijah Evans’ insight on prospect usage, strategy around player development, and hints at future roster moves.

21:00 — Rotation Additions & Mailbag
Todd Welter addresses listener mailbag questions about the need for a veteran starting pitcher, trade strategy, and the organization’s approach to building pitching depth.

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.
Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

FanDuel
If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chicago White Sox shake up their roster, signing Austin Hays and trading for Jordan Hicks and pitching prospect David Sandlin. Could these savvy moves accelerate their rebuild and finally lift the team from rock bottom?

Host Todd Welter spotlights how GM Chris Getz leveraged financial flexibility from the Luis Robert Jr. trade to address glaring bullpen and outfield needs, while weaving in short-term deals to maintain future cap space.

Key topics include the upside and risks of Sandlin’s power arsenal, Jordan Hicks' role in the rotation versus bullpen, and Austin Hayes' impact against left-handed pitching. Plus, Todd Welter examines Frank Thomas’ accusations of disrespect during Black History Month and how the organization manages its legends. Find out whether these latest moves position the White Sox for long-term success or leave fans with more questions as the AL Central season approaches.

0:00 – Sox Weekend Moves
Recap of active White Sox weekend acquisitions – Austin Hays, Jordan Hicks, David Sandlin, and overall team improvement. Insights on short-term deals and the value brought by the new additions.

11:00 – Luis Robert Jr. Savings being used well?
Analysis of how the financial resources freed by trading Luis Robert Jr. have been reallocated. Discussion on whether the team used the $20 million wisely, focusing on roster depth, bullpen upgrades, and prospect strategy.

23:42 – Frank Thomas Controversy
Deep dive into Frank Thomas’s reaction to the White Sox Black History Month tweet. Exploration of Thomas’s legacy, issues of recognition, and broader implications for the team’s treatment of its legends.

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.
Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

FanDuel
If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.