Podcast appearances and mentions of Ross Atkins

Blake Murphy is joined by Blue Jays Central's Madison Shipman to discuss Chad Dallas' innings, Alejandro Kirk's swing, and Ross Atkins' comments on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season. Afterwards, Geoff Pontes (24:41) of Baseball America shares his intrigue about Jays prospect Dasan Hill and the recent impress track record of Toronto's drafting. Following that, Lance Brozdowski (49:53) explains why the Jays organization can bring the best out of Jose Soriano and MLB franchises seeking out particular pitch mixes. Lastly, WFAN660 host Emmanuel Berbari (1:20:12) breaks down the Yankees and the AL East. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brent Gunning and Sam McKee open the second hour by reacting to Ross Atkins' comments on Tuesday's episode of Blair & Barker. They dive into Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s struggles at the dish, the front office's role in supporting him, the current lineup, the Blue Jays' offseason priorities, and the acquisition of José Soriano. After the break, former Blue Jays GM and NESN contributor J.P. Ricciardi (25:52) joins the show to assess Toronto's trade deadline, the challenge of balancing the present and future, Vladdy's long-term outlook, the Red Sox's recent surge, the impact of adding Adley Rutschman, and Boston's World Series chances. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' series-opening win over the Houston Astros before welcoming ESPN insider Jeff Passan (5:38) to help break down Monday's trade deadline. They discuss the Jays' moves, why it's difficult to move position players at the deadline, the Orioles' return for Adley Rutschman, why the Yankees weren't aggressive, and the Braves and Astros' underwhelming days. Later, Blue Jays Executive Vice President and GM Ross Atkins (25:18) joins the show to discuss what went into the team's unique approach to the deadline, why they didn't add an impact bat, what went wrong for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2026, José Soriano's fit, how he evaluates opposing team's farm systems, the light-powered return in the Kevin Gausman deal, and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a busy, unique, fascinating trade deadline, Arden and Ben regroup to take stock of it all. In the first half, Ben shares his perspective from being around the team on a complicated, emotional day, (0:00) before the guys take a high-level look at what the Blue Jays accomplished (13:47). Then, in the second half, Arden and Ben compare notes on each of the six trades the Blue Jays made (35:30). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Cristian Ceniti and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, Josh Goldberg recaps the wheeling and dealing by the Toronto Blue Jays at the MLB trade deadline. We dive into why Ross Atkins targeted right-hander José Soriano, if the team should have focused more on adding a controllable bat, and also discussed the trade returns for Kevin Gausman, Jeff Hoffman, and Daulton Varsho. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a special post-trade deadline edition of Blue Jays Talk, Sho Alli takes a look at the deadline moves of the Jays. He takes your texts: after a bevy of moves made right up until the wire this year, what's your letter grade for the players brought in and the players traded? We hear Ross Atkins speak to the media following the conclusion of the deadline itself (2:08), and afterwards, Sho brings on Sportsnet.ca's Nick Ashbourne (27:44) to break down some of the moves, including José Soriano being acquired earlier in the day, Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman being dealt, and who takes some of those high-leverage innings down the stretch.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Blue Jays are officially 1-0 in the post-trade deadline era, but can this retooled roster actually make a run at the playoffs? On game 114 preview of Flight Deck, Nick Paleolog break down Ross Atkins' comments after the deadline, Shane Bieber's bounce-back performance, and why the Blue Jays looked like a completely different team at the plate in their 3-1 win over the Astros. Nick also discuss Toronto's new-look rotation, where Jose Soriano fits alongside Dylan Cease, and whether there's still a realistic path to an AL Wild Card spot. Also on today's show: ⚾ Ross Atkins explains why George Springer, Shane Bieber, and Max Scherzer stayed in Toronto. ⚾ Do the Blue Jays still have a legitimate shot at the playoffs? ⚾ Alejandro Kirk continues his hot streak at the plate. ⚾ Trey Yesavage preview and what to expect against Hayden Wesneski. Despite sitting four games out of a Wild Card spot, the Blue Jays aren't waving the white flag. With the trade deadline behind them and new faces joining the pitching staff, can this team make one final push? We finish with Nick's picks presented by bet365.Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck.Thanks to our partners:bet365: http://www.bet365.caTable Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the 2026 MLB trade deadline in the books, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Blue Jays' moves, grade Ross Atkins' performance, and react to the flurry of deals finalized after the 6 PM cutoff, including the Padres' buzzer-beater acquisition of Casey Mize. Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (7:19) weighs in on the biggest surprises for the Blue Jays on deadline day, who will take Jeff Hoffman's leverage innings, the clubhouse vibe, and how the centrefield-duties will be split without Daulton Varsho. Later, Jeff and Kevin chat about where the Jays stand for the rest of 2026 and beyond and hear from manager John Schneider ahead of the Jays' series-opener against Varsho and the Astros. Finally, Jeff and Kevin wrap up the trade deadline edition with MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (35:56), who reflects on how the Jays went from the World Series to this point, Kevin Gausman's Toronto legacy, what they're getting in José Soriano, and the day's winners and losers. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The MLB Trade Deadline has come and gone, and the Blue Jays reshaped their roster. On game 113 preview of Flight Deck, Nick Paleolog break down every major trade, what they mean for Toronto's future, and whether Ross Atkins struck the right balance between selling now and building a contender for the next few seasons. Jose Soriano is the newest Blue Jay, Kevin Gausman and Daulton Varsho are gone, and Toronto adds multiple controllable pieces as the organization shifts its focus. We'll also discuss Max Scherzer's vintage outing, Dylan Cease being named AL Pitcher of the Month, and preview Shane Bieber's start against Christian Javier. Plus on today's show: ⚾ Why Soriano immediately slots near the top of Toronto's rotation. ⚾ Was trading top prospect Arjun Nimmala worth it? ⚾ Kevin Gausman dealt to the Cubs. ⚾ Daulton Varsho traded to Houston for Spencer Arrighetti. ⚾ Adam Macko dealt for Josh Smith & Josh Stephan. ⚾ Which trade helps the Blue Jays the most? With the deadline now behind them, did the Blue Jays improve their long-term outlook, or should they have taken a different approach? We finish with Nick's picks presented by bet365.Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck.Thanks to our partners:bet365: http://www.bet365.caTable Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailMark Shapiro is an American-born Canadian baseball executive, born April 3, 1967, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Shapiro joined the Cleveland Indians in 1991, rising from an entry-level role to general manager (2001) and then team president (2010). During his 24 years there, the Indians won six division titles and two AL pennants. He was named Sporting News Executive of the Year twice, in 2005 and 2007.In 2015 he became president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays, succeeding Paul Beeston. He hired Ross Atkins as GM, oversaw renovations to the Dunedin player development complex and Rogers Centre, and signed a five-year extension in December 2025. Under Shapiro, the Blue Jays have reached the postseason five times, including their first AL pennant in 32 years in 2025.He's also served on several MLB committees, helping introduce the Automated Ball-Strike System, instant replay, and the pitch clock. Personally, he's a dual US-Canadian citizen, has two children, and was portrayed by actor Reed Diamond in the 2011 film Moneyball.A Few Quotes From This Episode“Don't worry about being charismatic. Worry about caring deeply. Don't worry about being a super decision maker. Obsessively focus on the best process and prioritization and understanding leverage.”"The best leaders lead a decision-making process. I'm very rarely making a decision, and if I am, we have a good chance to make a bad decision.”“If you had to say what is the single most important value to building an elite, best-in-class organization, I would say open-mindedness, is where you have to start.”ResourcesBook: Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by General Stanley McChrystal Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins About The International Leadership Association (ILA)The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. AllenWebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to HostingThe views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast!⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice.➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech.

Sho Alli and Kaitlyn McGrath break down the Blue Jays' 6-1 loss vs. the Red Sox to lose the series in Boston. They take your calls and texts, and get right to Kevin Gausman's quality start of six innings allowing three earned runs - was that his last start as a Jay? Despite all he's done for the franchise, should he get traded alongside all the soon-to-be free agents? Plus, they discuss who's most culpable for the 2026 season, from the players themselves to the front office - does Ross Atkins deserve blame for roster construction, or is that hindsight?   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A series loss to the White Sox raises the question: will the Blue Jays have to sell? Ben shares some thoughts on the weekend  (1:37) then looks ahead at the Jays' deadline decision (11:55). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Cristian Ceniti and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

The Blue Jays snapped their three-game losing streak Saturday afternoon with a 1–0 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Toronto now sits at 46–52 and remains 3.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot as the teams prepare for the rubber match at Rogers Centre.On game preview 99 of Flight Deck, hosted by Dan Riccio, we break down Shane Bieber's best performance since joining the Blue Jays. Bieber earned his first victory of the season after throwing six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and two walks while striking out six. Could this be the outing that finally gets Bieber's season back on track?Toronto's bullpen made the one-run lead stand up. Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland combined for three scoreless innings, with Varland pitching a perfect ninth to record his 20th save of the season. After the pitching staff surrendered 12 runs in the series opener, how encouraging was this complete turnaround?The offence did just enough to secure the victory. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled in the fourth inning before George Springer drove him home with the game's only run. Guerrero finished with two hits and showed more signs of breaking out, but Toronto managed only five hits overall. Can the Blue Jays produce a more complete offensive performance in the series finale?We'll also look back at a special afternoon at Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays honoured the 1992 and 1993 World Series championship teams and unveiled a new statue commemorating Joe Carter's iconic walk-off home run.Looking ahead, Trey Yesavage takes the mound against Sean Burke in Game 3 of the series. Yesavage enters with a 4–4 record, a 3.72 ERA and 69 strikeouts over 75 innings. He'll be looking to bounce back after walking seven batters and throwing only 20 strikes over 1.2 innings against San Diego in his shortest outing of the season.Burke enters at 6–4 with a 3.41 ERA, 115 strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP over 105.2 innings. Can the Blue Jays solve one of Chicago's most reliable starters, take the series and build some momentum before beginning a four-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays?Finally, with Toronto still seven games below .500 and the trade deadline rapidly approaching, is a series victory enough to keep the Blue Jays in the buyer conversation? Or does Ross Atkins need to see an extended winning streak before committing to this roster?We finish with Dan's picks presented by bet365.LIVE every game day one hour before first pitch right here on the Blue Jays Nation YouTube channel and on Instagram @BlueJaysNation.Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck.Thanks to our partners:bet365: http://www.bet365.caTable Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Blue Jays opened the second half of the season with one of their most disappointing performances of the year, falling 12–4 to the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. Toronto has now lost three straight games, sits at 45–52 and is 3.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot.On game preview 98 of Flight Deck, hosted by Dan Riccio, we break down another rough night for the Blue Jays' pitching staff. Spencer Miles allowed six runs on six hits over four-plus innings, including five runs in the second inning, as Toronto found itself facing another massive early deficit. How concerning was the team's first performance coming out of the All-Star break?The offence showed some power but was unable to create a sustained rally. Luis Urías, George Springer and Brandon Valenzuela each hit solo home runs, but Toronto finished with only seven hits and never seriously threatened to get back into the game. Can the Blue Jays turn those individual flashes of power into a more complete offensive performance?Unfortunately, things only got worse for the pitching staff as the game continued. Chicago added three runs in the fifth before exploding for five more in the seventh, led by Braden Montgomery's bases-clearing triple. Montgomery finished with four RBIs, Colson Montgomery drove in three and Sam Antonacci added a two-run home run. We'll discuss why Toronto has struggled so badly against a White Sox team that has now beaten the Blue Jays in all four meetings this season.Looking ahead, Shane Bieber takes the mound against Davis Martin in Game 2 of the series. Bieber enters with an 0–1 record and a 7.64 ERA, while Martin is 9–4 with a 3.41 ERA and 92 strikeouts. Martin has struggled recently despite his strong season totals, posting a 6.34 ERA across his last seven starts. Can Bieber build off a better outing against San Diego, earn his first win of the season and finally stop Chicago's dominance?Finally, with Toronto now sitting seven games below .500 and the trade deadline rapidly approaching, how much pressure is on the Blue Jays to turn things around immediately? At only 3.5 games outside of a playoff spot, can Ross Atkins still justify adding to this roster, or is the organization getting closer to becoming a seller?We finish with Dan's picks presented by bet365.LIVE every game day one hour before first pitch right here on the Blue Jays Nation YouTube channel and on Instagram @BlueJaysNation.Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck.Thanks to our partners:bet365: http://www.bet365.caTable Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toronto has won three straight games, sits just 1.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot, and is beginning to make the race toward the trade deadline a whole lot more interesting. On game preview 95 of Flight Deck, hosted by Cody Gaudreault, we break down another impressive Blue Jays victory, headlined by Kazuma Okamoto's historic night. The rookie slugger tied Shohei Ohtani's record for the most home runs by a Japanese-born rookie, while also setting a new Blue Jays rookie franchise record. Is Okamoto putting together one of the greatest rookie seasons in franchise history? We'll also discuss another encouraging outing from Shane Bieber. While he's still searching for his best form, Toronto's bullpen once again slammed the door, continuing what's become one of the club's biggest strengths this season. Looking ahead, Trey Yesavage takes the mound against Walker Buehler in the series finale. We'll dive into what's changed for Yesavage this season, why his splitter hasn't been nearly as dominant as it was in 2025, and what adjustments could unlock another level for the young right-hander. Finally, is this team forcing Ross Atkins to become a buyer at the trade deadline? And the Blue Jays selecting Cole Carlon with the 39th overall pick in the MLB Draft. We finish with Cody's picks presented by bet365. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toronto's three-game winning streak came to an end in chaotic fashion Saturday night, as the Blue Jays fell 8–7 to the San Diego Padres. Despite the loss, Toronto remains just 1.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot with one game remaining before the All-Star break. On game preview 96 of Flight Deck, hosted by Cody Gaudreault, we break down a frustrating night for the Blue Jays' pitching staff. Toronto issued 11 walks, including seven from Trey Yesavage in just 1.2 innings, as neither team's starting pitcher made it through the second inning. How concerned should the Blue Jays be about Yesavage's command moving forward? The offence did everything it could to keep Toronto in the game. Jonatan Clase launched a two-run home run, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tied the game with a massive three-run shot in the sixth inning. Could this be the performance that finally helps Guerrero break out of his extended slump? Unfortunately, the tie did not last long. Ty France answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, and the Padres held on to even the series. We'll discuss Toronto's inability to complete the comeback and whether the pitching staff wasted one of the offence's strongest performances of the season. Looking ahead, Kevin Gausman takes the mound against Germán Márquez in the rubber match. Gausman enters with a 4–8 record and a 4.32 ERA, while Márquez is 4–2 with a 5.02 ERA. Can Gausman steady the pitching staff, rescue the series and send the Blue Jays into the All-Star break with some momentum? Finally, with Toronto sitting at 45–50 but still only 1.5 games outside of a playoff spot, what will this final game of the first half mean for Ross Atkins and the club's approach ahead of the trade deadline? We finish with Cody's picks presented by bet365. LIVE every game day one hour before first pitch right here on the Blue Jays Nation YouTube channel and on Instagram @BlueJaysNation. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck. Thanks to our partners: bet365: http://www.bet365.ca Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ #BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays EVP and general manager Ross Atkins (0:45) to chat about how he's assessed his team with the amount of injuries this season, how wide open the AL East could be, Kazuma Okamoto's transition to the MLB, the growth in Ernie Clement's game on both sides of the field, how the organization is supporting Vladdy through his down year, if Jesús Sánchez can become an everyday player for the Jays, if there's any worry about the increased usage for Louis Varland, and if he would consider looking into another starter at the trade deadline. Then, Jeff and Kevin look back at the extra innings loss to the Houston Astros, Tyler Rogers' usage, and Shane Bieber's first return start.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Houston Astros 4-2 behind another big Kazuma Okamoto moment, and a bullpen that continues to be one of the biggest strengths of this team. On Game Preview 79 of Flight Deck, Tyler Yaremchuk talks Dylan Cease's performance, Toronto's ability to chase Hunter Brown from the game and the defensive masterclass by the Blue Jays. We also dive into Kazuma Okamoto and his continued dominance this season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. starting to generate power at the plate and Louis Varland's 16th save of the season. Then, Tyler previews Shane Bieber's start against the Astros and discuss Ross Atkins' comments on the trade deadline, starting pitching upgrades, injuries, Jake Bloss, Rick Tiedemann, Yimi Garcia, Anthony Santander, and the state of the Blue Jays roster. Can Toronto keep finding ways to win with the pitching staff carrying the load? We finish with Tyler's picks presented by bet365. LIVE every game day one hour before first pitch right here on the Blue Jays Nation YouTube channel and on Instagram @BlueJaysNation. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck. Thanks to our partners: bet365: http://www.bet365.ca Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ #BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brent Gunning and Daniele Franceschi kickoff Tuesday morning by setting up the Blue Jays' series against the Red Sox. They outline the importance of this upcoming stretch and Toronto's outlook as we approach the midway mark of the season. The guys also debate if Dylan Cease has been the best signing of the Ross Atkins era, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leading the AL first base All-Star voting despite his bad start, and Louis Varland's opportunity to bounce back this week. After the break, the guys weigh in on reports of the NHL opening an investigation into Mike Babcock's 2023 resignation in Columbus. Brent and Daniele wrap up the hour with a look at the players arriving at Shinnecock for the US Open and how hard they expect the course to play this weekend. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Sho Alli and Nick Ashbourne break down the Blue Jays' stunning 6-5 walk-off loss vs. the Orioles in Baltimore. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the biggest story of the game: Jeff Hoffman melting down in the bottom of the ninth, as he allowed six straight batters to reach in the loss. How much can the blame be shared between Hoffman himself, manager John Schneider for not pulling him sooner, or Ross Atkins for the bullpen construction? What is Hoffman's role on the team moving forward? Plus, they discuss Trey Yesavage walking seven batters over 5.0 IP, and get into the offence delivering five runs in the loss, including a four-hit day for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and another big swing for Kazuma Okamoto.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning chat with Toronto Blue Jays voice Dan Shulman about the team's recent performance, Jesús Sánchez' impact, and Ross Atkins' roster decisions. They discuss the implications of injuries, including Dylan Cease, and the potential for Spencer Miles in the rotation. After the break, Sirius XM NBA radio host Mitch Lawrence (24:01) shares insights on Victor Wembanyama's press conference absence, the Spurs' rookie management, and the excitement around the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. The conversation includes the city's support for the Knicks and their potential title chances against the Spurs or Thunder. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:20) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share some injury updates on George Springer, Trey Yesavage and more, why he isn't definitive on who he's bringing out in the 9th inning, Louis Varland's increase high-leverage workload, what adjustments he'd like to see from Kazuma Okamoto's at-bats, if he sees remnants of the 2025 Jays' identity on their recent road trip, Ernie Clement's contact rate, and Brandon Valenzuela's adjustment to the Majors. Then, the guys hear from GM and VP Ross Atkins on the team's start to the 2026 season and Jeff Hoffman not being designated as their closer. Afterwards, The Athletic's Jayson Stark stops by (33:38) to discuss the state of the Phillies, their president declaring manager Rob Thomson is not on the hot seat, if fans could dictate his future, and why the New York Yankees could be a real threat to the L.A. Dodgers.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Anthony McCarron, Mets analyst for SNY, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to detail the latest news around the team after snapping their 12-game losing streak last night. Anthony looks into what's behind New York's slow start this season, Bo Bichette's comfortability with his new club, and the next steps to right the ship. Later, two-time All Star Jason Kipnis (23:26) stops by to share his impressions of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins during his time in Cleveland. Jason also discusses his experience battling through April struggles, the reality of George Springer's broken toe, the ever-persistent Guardians, and Juan Soto's radio silence on the IL. Jeff and Kevin wrap up today's show responding to your questions on the Backleg Line! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro joined OverDrive to discuss the Blue Jays' culture of the roster, turning the page from the World Series, the additions fitting onto the team, Ross Atkins and John Schenider leading the mentality, the MLB CBA impact for the organization and more.

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Dave Feschuk for Hour 1 on OverDrive! They dive into the Maple Leafs' win against the Rangers, the goaltending depth in Toronto, the Rangers in a downfall season, Thomas Chabot's injury impact for the Senators and Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes' rough starts to the season. Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins joins to discuss the season outlook for the team, the additions and building off the World Series.

Toronto Blue Jays EVP and general manager Ross Atkins (0:24) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what he's looking forward to and his goals for the organization's 2026 season, how they handled their first Spring Training after a long season and World Series push, Kevin Gausman entering his 14th MLB season and his workload, how Spencer Miles earned a main roster spot, what he learned from Dylan Cease, how Max Scherzer ended up returning to the team, what he envisions for third base and Kazuma Okamoto as a hitter, Vladdy Jr.'s maturation, Daulton Varsho's consistency and continuing to work with John Schneider after both signing contract extensions. Then, New York Yankees reporter Erik Boland (28:22) drops by to recap their season opener, if the defence or bullpen is the biggest weakness, Ben Rice's season outlook, and if Aaron Judge can stay healthy enough to win another AL MVP. Plus, we hear from Kevin Gausman ahead of his Opening Day start. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips joined OverDrive to discuss the Blue Jays' Face of the Franchise, Joe Carter at the top of the rankings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s impact to the roster, the outlook of the Blue Jays' roster, Shane Bieber's injury, John Schneider and Ross Atkins' contract extensions, the Giants and Yankees to kick off the season and more.

Toronto Blue Jays baseball returns on Friday!Justin and Patrick kick off the year by previewing the roster, discussing the news of John Schneider and Ross Atkins being extended, and offer up SPICY predictions. Who leads the pitching staff in strikeouts? How many home runs will Kazuma Okamoto hit?Who is the most likely to be DFA or traded?

Baseball is back, and so are the Blue Jays' top decision makers. Ben and Arden set up the '26 season by discussing the newly earned extensions for Ross Atkins (02:10) & John Schneider (41:35). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are joined by MLB Network's Jon Morosi. They break down the Jays pitching staff with the injuries heading into opening day, if Roman Anthony is ready to lead the Boston Red Sox to new heights, How Alonso could help improve the Baltimore Orioles, and much more. Then, they discuss who could come out of the AL East, the Jays locking Ross Atkins up to a long-term deal, and much more.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open Tuesday by recapping the Raptors' blowout win over the Jazz. They highlight the difference-makers for Toronto, the NBA's new tanking rules, and the importance of games like this down the stretch. The conversation shifts to the Blue Jays' extensions for Ross Atkins and John Schneider and the implications for the team's future, before diving into the battle for the final roster spot and how different choices could shape the bullpen. They also touch on how playing the piano helped Max Scherzer rehab his thumb injury last season. After the break, they preview tonight's Leafs vs. Bruins matchup, and wrap up with Connor McDavid's comments on the Oilers' coaching situation. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

GriffsThePitch.com Columnist Richard Griffin joined OverDrive to discuss John Schneider and Ross Atkins' contract extensions with the Blue Jays, following up after a World Series defeat, Bo Bichette's departure, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. carrying his dominance, Dylan Cease's impact on the team and more.

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 1 on OverDrive! They discuss O-Dog returning from vacation in Florida with a dark tan, the Maple Leafs' downfall in the standings, Connor McDavid's comments on the Lightning's coaching mindset and John Schneider and Ross Atkins' contract extensions. Plus, GriffsThePitch.com Columnist Richard Griffin stops by to dive into the Blue Jays' outlook for the season.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Shi Davidi (1:10), following Ross Atkins and John Schneider getting contract extensions with the Toronto Blue Jays. They break down the importance of locking up key personnel, the big roster decisions and cuts from the Blue Jays, the last two battles to make the Jays roster, and much more. Then, Adam Stanley joins the show ahead of the TGL Finals (30:43). They break down what we have seen in Year 2 of the TGL, and much more. Finally, Ailish and Justin discuss the state of the NCAA. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning discuss the contract extensions for Ross Atkins and John Schneider—whether they're deserved and their confidence in the franchise's direction. They bring in Leafs writer Luke Fox to analyze the recent game against the Senators, the surprising number of Sens fans present, and Brad Treliving's plans for the Leafs. The conversation shifts to team culture and William Nylander's potential for leadership. Post-break, Jeff Blair (24:58) weighs in on the contract extensions, Schneider's impact, and concerns about player injuries and rotation depth for the Blue Jays. The expectations for Trey Yesavage and Eric Lauer's role are also explored. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

In this 1863rd episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike chats with the remarkable Stu Stone about filmmaking, Iran, his relationship with Ross Atkins, his California journey, TSM Radio, and Cam Gordon's new book. Toronto Mike'd is proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, Ridley Funeral Home, Nick Ainis, and RecycleMyElectronics.ca. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Toronto Mike at mike@torontomike.com.

College baseball opening day Astros trade Jesus Sanchez for Joey Loperfido General managers Dana Brown and Ross Atkins on the trade

Guests: Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement, general manager Ross Atkins  The face of the "Glue Jays," Ernie Clement, moves from the infield out to Deep Left Field to join us on the show this week. He talks about the immediate aftermath of Game 7 of the World Series in the clubhouse and gives his thoughts on the Jays' magical season and his magical post-season that fell just short. As well, Ernie fills us in on the pitch he made to Bo Bichette to stay with the Jays during Bichette's wedding. Also, the 2025 Blue Jays were given a Special Recognition Award at last weekend's Baseball Canada awards banquet. Ross Atkins joined me on stage to accept the award and for an interview, which you can hear here. Plus, as always, we open the mailbag at deepleftfield@thestar.ca!

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off Wednesday morning by recapping the Maple Leafs' 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers. They dive into the gravity of this victory, the impact of Florida's injuries, Auston Matthews' recent resurgence, and whether the team is leaning too heavily on Joseph Woll. After the break, they turn their attention to the Blue Jays' introductory press conference for Kazuma Okamoto. The boys look over his comments about signing in Toronto and discuss his fit as a super utility player, as well as Ross Atkins' remarks on pursuing additional free agents and how that could affect playing time. The guys also break down reports linking the Jays to Kyle Tucker, before closing the hour with a look at the Ravens' decision to fire John Harbaugh.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

** FOR AN AD-FREE VERSION OF THIS—AND EVERY—EPISODE, PLUS WEEKLY BONUS SHOWS, FIND US AT patreon.com/BJHH **What a difference a year makes. It was only just 365 days ago that Jays fans were despairing, wondering why Ross Atkins still had a job after a nine year tenure that had culminated in a dreadful 2024, still smarting from Juan Soto's decision to sign with the Mets, trying to understand the Andrés Giménez acquisition, questioning whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could be signed to a contract extension, and feeling nothing but dread about the future, the state of the club's house of cards, and the wisdom of those in charge.Today they're viewed by players, fans, and the industry as a whole as one of the truly exemplary organizations in the sport, and potentially on the verge of ascending to marquee franchise status, having put together a brilliant, compelling, gritty, drama-filled, fun-as-hell campaign that took them to within mere milimetres of an unprobable World Series victory.It's been a hell of a trip around the sun, hasn't it?And this week we're looking back on all of it—from the low expectations, through the ugly start, to the coalescing of an elite team, to one of the all-time great—and all-time heartbreaking—seasons in the history of Canadian sports. Or maybe anybody's sports anywhere.Have a listen... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back for a special holiday edition! They kick off with a quick recap of the Toronto Blue Jays' offseason, discuss the team's plans in the position player market — be it Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker or Alex Bregman — and share their favourite memories from the World Series and the Jays' unforgettable 2025 season. Then, they get into the team's need for a ninth-inning reliever, their trust in Ross Atkins and John Schneider moving forward, and whether the Jays' success can be sustained in 2026. Later, Jeff and Kevin take the temperature of the AL East as the Yankees stay quiet while the Orioles get aggressive. For the final word of 2025, the guys share some early 2026 World Series picks and project where Bichette will land.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

MLB's annual Winter Meetings took place this week, but if you're a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays you can be forgiven if you missed it—or, at the very least, didn't quite get what all the hype was about. Partly, that's because the Jays didn't have to sweat their way through the festivities distractedly chasing ghosts while Plan B types fly off the board like they often do. And partly it's because their biggest move of the week—outside of some Ross Atkins unforced PR errors—was their surprising selection of Spencer Miles from the Giants in the Rule 5 draft.What a whirlwind! And this week we're talking about all of it—and how it has genuinely set up the rest of the offseason—and more!FOR AN AD-FREE VERSION OF THIS—AND EVERY—EPISODE, PLUS WEEKLY BONUS SHOWS, FIND US AT patreon.com/BJHH*APOLOGIES FOR THE MINOR AUDIO ISSUES!* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest: Toronto Star Baseball Columnist Gregor Chisholm This week in Deep Left Field, we wrap up the winter meetings with my partner on the Star's Blue Jays beat, Gregor Chisholm, who was in Orlando to watch the Jays introduce free-agent signee Dylan Cease and to talk to general manager Ross Atkins about the Jays' winter plans, Shane Bieber's forearm fatigue and Jose Berrios' state of mind, among other things. We also hear from newly-elected Hall of Famer Jeff Kent, baseball's all-time leader in home runs by a second baseman. Kent was drafted and developed by the Jays and, until he was traded for David Cone in August, was the only rookie on the eventual World Series champion 1992 Blue Jays for most of the season. And, as always, we open up the mailbag at deepleftfield@thestar.ca to hear from you!

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off discussing Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins' end-of-season media availabilities and their biggest takeaways. Then, Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show (11:28) to discuss the Jays' offseason priorities, what Bo Bichette could get on the open market and what he is looking for, what to make of Shane Bieber taking a discount to stay in Canada for another year, and much more. Later, they discuss Atkins' comments on Jeff Hoffman not being married to the closer role. Finally, they discuss Sid and Ovi set to face off tonight once again for the 99th time in their careers.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Shi Davidi, Sportsnet's senior MLB columnist, joins JD to reflect on the comments from Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins and offers his read on why the President and General Manager didn't offer many meaningful thoughts (11:00). JD asks Shi about potential parallels between signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, what may sway Bichette, if the Jays payroll is expected to grow, Shane Bieber opting in, not being married to Jeff Hoffman as the closer in 2026, and which of the Jays starting pitchers may play a role next season. JD ends the week with his thoughts on the new Hockey Canada jerseys. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.    

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jonas Siegel for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN NFL Analyst Luke Willson joins to discuss the headlines for Week 10 in the NFL and Hayes and Bro's selection for the Broncos and Raiders' matchup. The guys discuss Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins' end-of-season press conference, the positive direction for the team, Bo Bichette's future with the Blue Jays, the guys hand out their best advice in Dear Hayesy-B and the FanDuel Best Bets.

JD reacts to Mark Shapiro's message to Blue Jays nation, before reflecting the front office's journey and what message(s) to expect from Shapiro and Ross Atkins in today's end-of-season press conference (00:00). Jackie Redmond of the NHL on TNT and WWE Network, joins JD (12:00) to lament about the end of the Blue Jays season, draw comparisons to the Maple Leafs, and outline the complicated feelings surrounding the Buds. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

We hear from Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins discussing a wide range of topics, including Shapiro's contract, Bo Bichette's free agency, Shane Bieber picking up his player option and much more! Plus, Jeff Blair heads to the Back-Leg Line to get your reactions on the Jays' front office end-of-season media avails.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill, and Jamie McLennan for hour two of OverDrive. The guys discuss George Springer being in the lineup in game six and the credit that Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins deserve. They are then joined by mlb.com writer Keegan Matheson to discuss the Jays being a win away from the World Series and George Springer being in the lineup.

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jonas Siegel for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Blue Jays advancing to the World Series with the ALCS win against the Mariners, George Springer's iconic home run and where it sits in the history of Toronto sports, Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro's management success for the season, the matchup against the Dodgers and the journey for the team. MLB.com Keegan Matheson joins to discuss the Blue Jays' win, Springer's impressive season and Bo Bichette's injury status to play in the series.