Blue Jays World Update

This week's episode breaks down the Blue Jays' path to becoming baseball's hottest team, putting together their best brand of baseball since 2022, the offence rounding into form and hitting home runs, Alejandro Kirk leading the way amid his career year, Addison Barger's power, maximizing the platoon advantage, providing sufficent run support for a pitching staff with three reliable starters, Max Scherzer beginning a rehab assignment, what to do with Bowden Francis, looking ahead to the trade deadline and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode dives into where the Blue Jays stand one-third of the way through the 2025 season, canvassing the rest of the American League, the extreme highs & lows from these first two months, the offence being at the forefront of that roller-coaster, what to do with Anthony Santander, needing more power from Vladdy & Bo Bichette, Kevin Gausman turning back the clock, Yariel Rodriguez's recent high-leverage emergence, peaking ahead to the July 31 trade deadline and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the bullpen's recent woes, how an unsustainable workload has caught up with the back end of the 'pen, several relievers being on pace to set new career highs in appearances and innings pitched, needing the offence to step up, where things are trending if things remain status quo and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down a horrendous series in Houston, finishing a tough opening month schedule, the offence's power outage, a lack of production from the lineup's top three hitters, George Springer's sensational start, Max Scherzer's uncertain health status, what to do about the fifth starter's spot, Jake Bloss' potential major league timeline and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode recaps the Blue Jays' impressive start to the 2025 season, sweeping the Nationals, a surprising offensive surge, playing small ball, George Springer & Andrés Giménez leading the way, Bo Bichette being Bo Bichette, the need for more power (eventually), Max Scherzer's concerning injury status, Easton Lucas' remarkable debut, Yariel Rodríguez's evolving role, a tough upcoming road trip and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes thoughts on the final few days of spring training, projecting the club's Opening Day roster ahead of next week's season opener against the Orioles, injury updates on Max Scherzer, Erik Swanson, Zach Pop & Daulton Varsho, plus lots more. Enjoy!

This week's episode highlights which players have stood out in camp for the Blue Jays thus far, with Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk leading the way, as well as Kevin Gausman's impressive spring debut, Max Scherzer looking like Max Scherzer, the case for Bichette to hit leadoff, sifting through the early roster battles, examining Toronto's Spring Breakout roster and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode explores the fallout from the unsuccessful contract negotiations between the Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., highlighting where things might have gone wrong, how we got here, the chances he could return in free agency, the fast-approaching cliff regarding the franchise's rapidly declining competitive window, where we go from here and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the Max Scherzer signing, what he brings to TOR's starting rotation, what it means for Yariel Rodríguez's role, the risks of betting on a 40-year-old pitcher, the importance of managing his workload in 2025, bridging the gap to Alek Manoah, Jake Bloss & Ricky Tiedemann, shifting focus to adding another impact hitter such as Pete Alonso or Alex Bregman, extending Vladdy and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the Blue Jays' pursuit of Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki and being listed among the 3 finalists for his services, what signing Jeff Hoffman means for next season's bullpen, potential avenue to returning as a starting pitcher, what moves need to follow (i.e. offensive additions) and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode recaps the 2024 Winter Meetings in Dallas, including Juan Soto's record-breaking contract with Mets, Max Fried and Garrett Crochet joining AL East, Corbin Burnes nearing a decision, Blue Jays trade Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell to Guardians for Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin, Yimi García returns one day after Jordan Romano joins Phillies, what comes next and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the latest Juan Soto rumours, the Blue Jays meeting first with his camp, the realities of pursuing this winter's biggest FA, the importance of forming contingency plans after Soto signs, Toronto's interest in the impact SP market, the value of adding a front-line SP, exploring a potential fit with Max Fried, Matt Hague's departure and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode unpacks the end-of-season press conferences from Mark Shapiro & Ross Atkins, changes to the hitting department, similar payroll levels in 2025, arbitration projections, potential cost-saving solutions, how the front office should approach free agency & the trade market, best roster construction avenues heading into next season and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the latest string of Blue Jays injuries to Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, Will Wagner and Kevin Gausman, how Varsho's shoulder surgery could impact the 2025 roster, potential centre-field replacements -- both internal and external -- whether Wagner has done enough to earn a big-league role next season and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode highlights Bowden Francis' dominance since returning to the Blue Jays' starting rotation, winning AL Pitcher of the Month for August, how he can further evolve as a big-league pitcher, the 2025 starting rotation, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hunt towards a major-league batting title, his odds of catching Bobby Witt Jr., Addison Barger's recent power surge & improved plate discipline and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down Will Wagner's thrilling MLB debut, recording 5 hits in 2 games, Toronto's suddenly crowded infield, Vladdy putting the fear back in opposing pitchers & teams, a month-plus stretch that's positioned him among the sport's best hitters, his potential future beyond 2025 and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the Blue Jays' sell-off ahead of the trade deadline, examining each move they made, notable prospects joining the organization, fleecing Houston on the Yusei Kikuchi trade, potential major-league timelines, what to expect from these final 2 months of the regular season, a look ahead to another pivotal off-season, what holes need to be filled, Trey Yesavage's signing and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode recaps the Blue Jays' 21 selections in the 2024 Draft, how a heavy focus on pitching could impact the organization's prospect pipeline, scouting reports on the franchise's top 3 picks (Trey Yesavage, Khal Stephen & Johnny King), other notable selections beyond the top 5, the upcoming July 30 trade deadline and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode highlights the Blue Jays' current situation three-plus weeks out from the July 30 trade deadline, how they can no longer avoid becoming sellers, Bo & Vladdy's futures, trading impending free agents like Yusei Kikuchi, Yimi García and Danny Jansen, an eye towards a return to contention in 2025 and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the Cavan Biggio trade, remembering his accession to the major leagues, the on-field woes that necessitated his departure, what the Blue Jays are getting in Braydon Fisher, a disappointing, albeit predictable, failed comeback in Milwaukee, a difficult road ahead that'll likely impact Toronto's trade deadline plans and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode focuses on the Blue Jays' dwindling playoff hopes, sweeping the White Sox despite dropping 3 of 4 to the Tigers, a difficult road ahead in June, how the front office may pivot ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, reacting to the awful-looking City Connect jerseys and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode features Toronto's missed opportunity to sweep Baltimore, dwindling playoff odds, a crucial upcoming stretch in the soft portion of the schedule, encouraging signs from Bo Bichette & Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Yusei Kikuchi's dominance, potential trade-deadline scenarios and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes a rough performance vs Kansas City, the Blue Jays' continued offensive struggles, how this year's woes have been even worse than last year's, bottom-of-the-majors RISP numbers, shuffling the lineup, potential triple-A call-ups, Kevin Kiermaier's impending return and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes a return to form from the Blue Jays' starting rotation, Berrios & Kikuchi's remarkable starts to 2024, how each has enjoyed success thus far, a missed opportunity against the Yankees, Daulton Varsho's recent power surge, the offence's continued RISP struggles, Orelvis Martinez's 11-game hitting streak, the Buffalo Boys and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes reactions to the Blue Jays' 3-4 start to the season, a horrendous series in Houston, the offence's lack of consistency after recording 1 hit across two of the three games against the Astros, needing more from the top 4 of the lineup, an encouraging start from Justin Turner, a shorthanded, albeit effective, bullpen, updates on Alek Manoah, Danny Jansen, Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson, and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the Santiago Espinal trade with the Cincinnati Reds, why it was time for both sides to move on, the roster & financial impacts, looking back upon his Blue Jays tenure and what they're receiving in minor-league pitcher Chris McElvain. Plus, it's also time to predict which 26 players will appear on the club's Opening Day roster. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes injury updates on Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, Yariel Rodriguez, Ricky Tiedemann, Cavan Biggio and Danny Jansen (illness), Bowden Francis' bid to become TOR's No. 5 starter, new pitches, Yusei Kikuchi's new changeup grip, roster battles, Ernie Clement's impressive spring, the outfield dilemma and more. Enjoy!

This week's episode highlights early-spring storylines, including Alek Manoah's road to redemption, which has him looking slimmer and donning a thick beard and long hair, Yariel Rodriguez's potential role and the importance of stretching him out as a starter, notable pitchers and hitters to monitor this spring, the glaring need for a right-handed outfielder, what Eduardo Escobar and Daniel Vogelbach's arrivals mean, saying goodbye to Hyun Jin Ryu and lots more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s arbitration victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, why the third-party panel likely sided in his favour, how it impacts the rest of Major League Baseball, the potential fallout and where both sides go from here. Plus, a few additional thoughts on the Justin Turner signing and how this lineup can improve before next season. Enjoy!

This week's episode, while shorter than originally planned, breaks down the Justin Turner signing and outlines how the 39-year-old DH could impact Toronto's roster next season. Plus, I also touch on the underwhelming side of the deal, which, on its own, may not bode well for the club's offensive ceiling in 2024. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes topics on the current free-agent landscape for position players, how it's being impacted by agent Scott Boras, which players the Blue Jays could/should be targeting, waiting for someone to blink, which players avoided arbitration with the Blue Jays, how Danny Jansen's contract situation should've been handled and plenty more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa signings, why TOR might've chosen to continue down the run prevention path, how they'll each impact next season's roster, what this means for Santiago Espinal, the front office's next moves, list of free-agent hitters still available and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode discusses Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract with the Dodgers, unique opt-outs, internet sleuthing, irresponsible reporting, being kept in the dark, Juan Soto to the Yankees (because that also happened), a lack of Plan B options, the risks surrounding Cody Bellinger, exploring the trade market, taking advantage of cost-cutting teams and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode centres around next week's Winter Meetings, Shohei Ohtani (because of course it does), Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, Matt Chapman, the Bo Bichette & Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rumours, TV contracts, Milwaukee looking to shed payroll, Willy Adames, Christian Yelich, Sportsnet cutting Ben Wagner and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode focuses on Matt Chapman's free agency, Scott Boras' puns, contract comparables, a thin 3B market, Jeimer Candelario, Justin Turner, Hyun Jin Ryu returning to MLB in 2024, Mitch White rejoining the 40-man roster, the Brendon Little acquisition and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode explores the Blue Jays' upcoming free agents, the odds of anyone returning from that class, spending limits, payroll projections, potential free-agent & trade targets, internal roster competition, finding a balance between offence & defence and much more. Enjoy!

This episode breaks down the Blue Jays' 2-0 wild-card series loss to the Minnesota Twins, Jose Berrios' early hook, John Schneider's future, where things stand throughout the organization, a wide-sweeping reflection, the offence's continued power outage, importance of home runs in the playoffs, impending free agents, how to improved a flawed roster and much more. Enjoy!

This episode focuses on the best-of-three wild-card series between the Blue Jays & Twins, Kevin Gausman's shaky history versus Minnesota, Pablo Lopez's stellar 2023 season, how these two clubs stack up on paper, the importance of Génesis Cabrera & Tim Mayza, Cam Eden and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes the Blue Jays' straight path to clinching a post-season spot, how the 7 games remaining between Texas & Seattle will benefit Toronto, remaining strength of schedules, history at Tropicana Field, a lack of in-game offensive adjustments, the latest chapter in the Alek Manoah saga and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode focuses on the Blue Jays squandering winnable games versus Cleveland & Washington, a critical 9-game stretch against sub-.500 competition, needing to surge past the Rangers (again), Spencer Horwitz & Chad Green becoming September call-ups, the AL Wild Card picture, playoff odds and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes injury updates on Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier, Trevor Richards and Chad Green, a look at Cavan Biggio & Daulton Varsho's turnarounds, George Springer's red-hot August, swing decisions - or a lack thereof - and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode breaks down the Blue Jays' trade deadline acquisitions, including Génesis Cabrera, Jordan Hicks and Paul DeJong. And a few they didn't make. It also explores the front office's inability to acquire a power-hitting right-handed bat in a depleted market. Plus, a discussion on whether it's call-up time for one of Davis Schneider, Addison Barger or Spencer Horwitz. Enjoy!

This week's episode explores the Blue Jays' roster needs leading up to the Aug. 1 trade deadline, highlighting potential right-handed bat options, how to improve their starting pitching depth, adding another potent arm to their already exceptional bullpen and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode features Alek Manoah's surprising return, what Blue Jays should expect from him in his 1st MLB start since June 5, how to move forward if things don't go well, Hyun Jin Ryu's 1st appearance in 13 months, potential trade targets and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode recaps the Blue Jays' series victory over the Miami Marlins, finishing a dreadful three-city road trip, an opportunistic 15-game stretch versus beatable opponents heading into the All-Star break, encouraging signs around Matt Chapman's offensive stroke, Danny Jansen's immediate impact following IL stint, potentially mapping out Alek Manoah's return and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode features Alek Manoah's demotion, Trevor Richard's dominance, Saturday's 8th-inning bullpen implosion, Adam Cimber & Mitch White's fate, Anthony Bass rightfully getting kicked to the curb, Blue Jays' continued RISP woes and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode focuses on Toronto's outlook over the previous 17 games, taking 2 of 3 in Minnesota, Jose Berrios providing more consistency, George Springer's offensive results normalizing, current playoff odds, needing to make up ground vs non-AL East teams and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode focuses on Alek Manoah's concerning 2023 season, his command issues, a dramatic rise in walks, fewer swings and misses, his slider positioned among the worst pitches in baseball, a few mechanical problems, potential fatigue/dead arm, where he goes from here and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode includes Toronto's dominating sweep of the Chicago White Sox, Yusei Kikuchi's masterful stretch, Jose Berrios returning to his reliable self, the starting rotation as a whole, improved production with runners in scoring position, Teoscar Hernandez's return, a tough May schedule, Mitch White's rehab appearance and much more. Enjoy!

This week's episode features Matt Chapman's incredible start to the season, the changes he's made at the plate, Kevin Kiermaier's offensive & defensive impact, his home-run-saving catch during the home opener, Kevin Gausman's early-season Cy Young bid, how his splitter carved through Detroit's lineup, Toronto's starting rotation concerns outside of Gausman, Vladdy's increased patience in the batter's box, his Gold-Glove-winning defence, Ricky Tiedemann's upcoming 2023 season debut and plenty more. Enjoy!

Are you excited for meaningful baseball? Because I certainly am! The Toronto Blue Jays' 2023 season will open in St. Louis versus the Cardinals on Thursday, marking the beginning of a pivotal campaign for the franchise. But before first pitch flies, I'll make some predictions that could easily blow up in my face (hopefully they don't) and preview the team's opening series against the Cardinals. Enjoy!