The Chicago White Sox give Munetaka Murakami unprecedented control with a contract clause barring demotion without his approval—will this high-power bet pay off?

Host Todd Welter breaks down why Murakami's move signals a new player-first approach and reviews his projected impact, including comparisons to MLB stars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. The episode spotlights Braden Montgomery’s Rookie of the Year potential, evaluating how his rapid minor league climb fits into the White Sox’s rebuild and placing realistic expectations on his development.

Turning back the clock, the show asks: what if Fernando Tatis Jr. never left Chicago? Explore the fallout from the infamous James Shields trade, how it shaped the team’s long-term outlook, and whether Tatis could have filled the perennial void in right field. From prospect progression to the intricacies of contract leverage, this hard-hitting analysis puts White Sox strategy and player development under the microscope.

0:00 – Murakami Contract Clause Analysis
Munetaka Murakami's contract clause, White Sox perspective, fan reactions, and why it's not concerning for roster flexibility.

10:00 – Rookie of the Year Prospect Expectations
Evaluating Braden Montgomery and other Sox prospects' readiness, development path, and fairness of Rookie of the Year hopes.

20:00 – Turned Out Differently: Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade
Retro segment exploring what if the White Sox never traded Fernando Tatis Jr., impact on franchise, and alternate team trajectory.

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

Rocket Money
Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at http://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

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.