Artificial Turf Wars

In Part 2 of the Hall of Fame episode, Greg and Josh are joined first by Sam Mellinger of the KC Star to discuss the pressure of being a first time voter and the differences between filling out a theoretical one and one that will actually count towards the final tally. They also speak to Ben Lindbergh of The Ringer and the Effecitvely Wild podcast about the reasons behind the surge in voting for B...

In Part 1 of the two-part Hall of Fame episode of Artificial Turf Wars, Greg and Josh speak to Jay Jaffe about his JAWS metric, how many writers use the stat in determining their own ballots, players he feels are under-served by Hall of Fame voting, and the best players on this year's ballot. They also discuss Jay's upcoming book, The Cooperstown Casebook. Greg and Josh also briefly discuss Jays n...

Greg and Josh discuss the latest news surrounding Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, the extremely slow offseason, and the apparently Blue Jays strategies to fill their remaining roster holes. They also give out a Do Over, take a trip down memory lane to visit a man temporarily called Ralph, and answer a bunch of listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg, Josh, and Nick break down the happenings (and not) from the Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C. They start by discussing the value of recent Blue Jays signing Steve Pearce, then look at the fallout from the Chris Sale trade, Edwin Encarnacion's market crash, Dexter Fowler rumours, Ian Desmond's bizarre contract from the Rockies, and a minor league signing.  Finally, the trio gives out a Do-O...

Shi Davidi of Sportsnet stops by to discuss the upcoming Winter Meetings, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the Jays offseason plans as they relate to budget and potential free agent targets. Greg and Josh also discuss Brett Cecil's departure, Edwin Encarnacion rumours, and then run down the numerous players to whom the Jays have been connected this offseason. Finally, they discuss some of...

Greg and Josh break down the recent signings of Kendrys Morales and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., then they go over the Bautista/Encarnacion qualifying offer decisions and their ramifications, the reported offer to Brett Cecil, and some of the goofiness that came along with the Cy Young voting results. They also answer some listener questions and wish a speedy recovery to Jerry Howarth in his fight with pr...

MLBPA Certified Player Agent, Joshua Kusnick stops by to discuss the agent role in CBA talks, planning stages for arbitration hearings, the relationship between player and agent, and how an agent must distance themself from their fandom. He also shares a fun story about how he signed one of his current clients. Greg, Josh, and Nick then tee up the offseason with a look at Blue Jays qualifying offe...

Nick Dika joins Greg and Josh to recap the ups and downs of the 2016 season. They go over a bunch of categories ranging from the best moments of the year and top hitters and pitchers on the team, to the most surreal moment and when it really felt like rock bottom. There are plenty of highs to discuss, plenty of lows, and a couple of straight up confusing moments. Finally, they top it all off by aw...

Greg and Josh react to a tough ALCS loss to Cleveland in five games, with a specific look at what went wrong with the offense - other than a select few players - the solid starting and incredible relief pitching, the futures of Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, and the overall insanity of the postseason. They also give out a Do-Over to yet further inaccuracy from the TBS broadcast and then answ...

Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs stops by to preview the upcoming ALCS with a focus on the liberal use of platoons, the deep Andrew Miller-led bullpen and its effect on the depleted Cleveland rotation, and specific matchups between the two clubs. Greg and Josh then go back over the ALDS against Texas game by game, highlighting specific things that stood out from the series and what they could mean going...

Jamie Campbell of Blue Jays Central on Sportsnet stops by the podcast to discuss the crazy Wild Card game against Baltimore and to lay the groundwork for the upcoming ALDS series against the Texas Rangers. Greg and Josh also break down the game, with a look at special performances from the two big sluggers, the beleaguered bullpen, and the surprising Ezequiel Carrera. They also discuss the Roberto...

Greg and Josh discuss the tragic passing of José Fernández and his impact on both the Marlins and the baseball world at large, the ill-timed Blue Jays bench-clearing melée and the injury-related fallout, the stellar starting pitching and the not so stellar bullpen, Jose Bautista's comic-book hero status, and the slumping lineup. They also answer a bunch of listener questions, give out a Do-Over to...

Jay Jaffe of Sports Illustrated stops by to discuss his support for "Team Entropy" - the chaos that can be created when there are multiple teams tied for playoff spots. He runs down some of the potential fun of this year's pennant race, while also weighing in on playoff roster sizes and series regulations. Greg and Josh also discuss Marco Estrada's bounceback start, Edwin Encarnacion's impressive...

Greg and Josh go over the last week in Blue Jays land with a focus on the strange offensive approach and struggles, the ineffective middle relief, and the inconsistent defence. They also discuss Josh Donaldson's injury and its potential impact on the team, the hiring of Ben Cherington, the resurgence of Brett Cecil, and some of the new Blue Jays ticketing plans. They finish things off with listene...

Matt Kory of Baseball Prospectus (and many other sites) stops by to discuss the upcoming battle between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays with a note on which hitters and pitchers are coming in playing well. He also discusses the challenges that Yoan Moncada faces as a young prospect who has been thrust into the spotlight of pennant race and the Mookie Betts/Josh Donaldson MVP race batt...

Jesse Goldberg-Strassler of the Lansing Lugnuts stops by to discuss some of the prospects that have made their way through the affiliate this season, as well as a general look at the organizational strength in developing pitchers. Greg and Josh also discuss the return of Dioner Navarro to Toronto, the offensive explosion against the Minnesota Twins and the excellent starting pitching against Balti...

Dr. Alan Nathan, Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois and Physics of Baseball researcher stops by to discuss his work on the potential causes for the spike in home runs this season as well as the increased speed of the ball off the bat. Greg and Josh also discuss some positive trade outcomes, the returns of Jose Bautista and Kevin Pillar (and their effects on the lineup), Aaron Sanchez...

Greg and Josh break down the last week in Blue Jays land, with a look at the 5-2 record, the offensive ups and downs that led to shutouts and outbursts, the hot streaks from Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki, a fun outcome from a Josh Donaldson/John Gibbons dugout clash, the reinforcements for the bottom of the batting order, the continued brilliance of J.A. Happ, and a suddenly lock down bullpen...

Greg and Nick take a look at the Blue Jays week against Kansas City and Tampa Bay where the offense continued to struggle, a sixth man was added to the rotation, as well as Kevin Pillar hitting the DL for the first time in his career. The bullpen continues to swap out parts looking for the right fit, and we try and guess who gets the call in place of Danny Barnes. The listeners provide a couple of...

Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stops by to discuss the Francisco Liriano to Toronto deal with a focus on how the move is being received in Pittsburgh, the value and upside of the prospects in the deal, and what the Blue Jays can expect to get out of the mercurial lefty. Greg and Josh also discuss the recent series against the Orioles and the ongoing one against Houston, the stra...

Dr Mike Sonne rejoins the podcast to discuss his latest study. The talk (and piece) focuses on different stresses on pitchers that suggest a move to the bullpen for Aaron Sanchez may not make sense. Greg and Josh also discuss the trades for Melvin Upton Jr. and Joaquin Benoit, some quirks from the 12 inning game, J.A. Happ's return to his Pittsburgh ways, Aaron Sanchez' dominance, and the struggle...

Adam McIntuff of Baseball Prospectus' scouting/prospects team stops by to discuss some of the better prospects in the Jays system as the team heads into the non-waiver trade deadline. Greg and Josh also go over the post-break slate of games, with a particular focus on the leaky bullpen and its potential reinforcements, Marcus Stroman's adjustments, the returns of Jose Bautista and Chris Colabello,...

Dan Szymborski of ESPN.com stops by to go over the ZiPS projections for Blue Jays players in the second half (with focus on J.A. Happ, Troy Tulowitzki, and Russell Martin), discuss All Star break fun, and to play Swing and a Drive. Greg and Josh also talk about the pre-break, four game set against the Tigers, with special focus on the pitching of Happ and R.A. Dickey. They also break down the All-...

Kate Morrison of Baseball Prospectus stops by the podcast to discuss the recent Save America's Pastime Act, why MLB wants it put in, and how it can affect the livelihoods of minor leaguers, all while dispelling an important myth about minor league team viability. Greg and Josh break down the recent slate of play, including the Canada Day marathon and its fallout, Troy Tulowitzki's rennaissance, Ma...

Hazel Mae of Sportsnet stops by the podcast to discuss Troy Tulowitzki's return to Colorado, the difference between her broadcast work in the USA and Canada, and the preparation involved with on-field interviews. Then Greg, Josh, and guest host Nick Dika discuss the latest Aaron Sanchez news, Marcus Stroman's adjustments, Devon Travis' offensive surge, the injury to Gavin Floyd, and the pending re...