At The Letters

Not all is well with the Blue Jays as the all-star break looms. But are they any worse off than the similarly middling competition around the American League? Arden and Ben ponder the club’s trade deadline strategy (2:42) before checking in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s struggles. (19:23) Then, a quick trip around the rotation with thoughts on Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesava...

Arden and Ben had just recorded an episode and kicked up their feet to enjoy an afternoon of Blue Jays baseball… when Dylan Cease happened. So, the guys jumped back on the mics to offer their first blush reactions to Cease’s near no-hitter (00:39) and dig into the decisions John Schneider made — or didn’t make — as the game wore on (13:31). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christia...

After a series win over the Mets, it’s time for a mid-season vibe check. Sam McKee joins Ben to talk about the state of the Jays (2:53), Bo Bichette’s return (24:36) and what happens next (33:32). 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 podca...

With the Blue Jays suffering their roughest stretch of the season, Arden and Ben convene for a big picture look at where things stand and the various potential pathways ahead over the five weeks between now and the trade deadline (00:44). Plus, thoughts on Sean Keys' sudden promotion (29:49) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s effort level during his extended slump (42:01). This podcast is produced and so...

After an unexpected off-day in Chicago, Ben and Arden reconvene to assess the state of the Blue Jays heading into an important, 10-game homestand. How is an extended slump by Toronto’s starters impacting the club’s overworked bullpen? (13:39) As Shane Bieber returns, which options open at the backend of the rotation? (21:16) Plus, what do we make of the Luis Urías acquisition, recent outfield depl...

Finally, some momentum. Ben shares his takeaways from the week (1:13) before offering some big-picture thoughts on the trade deadline (13:23) and sharing a few rapid-fire thoughts (20:29). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts an...

How can the Blue Jays score more runs? Arden and Ben start with a big-picture check-in (4:54) before turning their attention to the Jays' rotation (21:19) and a rule change idea from Ben (39:41). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast...

With the Yankees in town, the Blue Jays face some big questions. Arden and Ben discuss Brandon Valenzuela’s impact behind the plate (2:04) before wondering which Jays will be all-stars (22:47). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast a...

A series loss to the Phillies raises questions about the rotation. Arden and Ben discuss Simeon Woods Richardson (5:27) and Max Scherzer (12:54) before turning to the top of the batting order (28:58). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this po...

Ben and Arden are in Georgia as the Blue Jays tangle with MLB’s best team. They seize on some interesting Kevin Gausman comments to consider the Blue Jays' current trajectory  (1:00), break down the factors behind which catcher will exit upon Alejandro Kirk’s impending return (24:52), and round up some pitching developments including what comes next for Jeff Hoffman (37:30). This podcast is produc...

The roster moves keep coming for the Blue Jays. Charles McAdoo is up (1:43) and the pitching staff keeps evolving (10:33). Plus,  Arden and Ben discuss some Jays outfielders (29:32). 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 Blue Jays appear to have avoided serious injuries with two stars (1:16). Arden and Ben discuss some questions on the pitching side (8:45) as well as some positives on offence (28:13).   This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling.   Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are tho...

Has Vlad Jr. found his swing? Arden and Ben discuss the first baseman’s plate approach (1:25) before weighing in on the pitching staff (12:11) and Lenyn Sosa’s future (38:24). 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 ho...

Ben joins Arden from Detroit to chat about where things stand for the Blue Jays coming off a 3-3 homestand (1:40), how the club will address its rotation vacancy in both the short- and long-term (6:58), and what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can do to get out of his slump (35:21). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact...

A quarter of the way through the season, Shi Davidi (00:29) and David Singh (40:28) join Ben for wide-ranging conversations on the state of the Blue Jays and where they go from here. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and gues...

After watching the Blue Jays get swept at Tropicana Field to cap a 2-5 road trip, Ben joins Arden to discuss the team’s sputtering offence (05:24), the legitimacy of various reasons for optimism (19:52), and how the roster dominoes will fall upon Addison Barger’s return from the injured list (31:49). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith...

What better way to cap a 22-games-in-23-days stretch than with a visit to the Trop? Fresh off the road, Arden checks in to look ahead to this week’s Rays series (01:21) before recounting what he saw from the Blue Jays in Minneapolis (07:53), including thoughts on Kazuma Okamoto’s heater (16:23), Dylan Cease’s changeup development (44:15), and what happened between John Schneider and Tyler Heineman...

The Blue Jays keep stacking series wins. Arden and Ben discuss the return of George Springer (02:37) the state of the starting rotation (16:20) and the MLB managerial carousel (42:17). 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...

The Blue Jays are playing better baseball as the reeling Red Sox come to town. Arden and Ben react to Boston’s stunning weekend (01:26) before exploring Toronto’s upcoming rotation decisions (17:10) and how bullpen roles are evolving over time (34:44). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@spor...

What to do with the closer’s job? Arden and Ben discuss Jeff Hoffman’s job security (08:34) before considering alternate approaches at closer (16:36) Juan Soto and the Yankees’ uniforms (37:24). 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...

As the Blue Jays’ road trip nears an end, Arden and Ben discuss the latest developments surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (12:17) Nathan Lukes (31:45) and Eric Lauer (50:11). 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 hos...

After a series loss in Milwaukee, Ben checks in with Shi Davidi to discuss the state of the Jays (00:41) before talking with David Singh about Myles Straw – and throwback jerseys (36:03). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and...

A disappointing weekend leads to more questions. Arden joins Ben to discuss the Jays’ veteran starters (04:39), the George Springer injury (14:37) and the Lenyn Sosa trade (25:17). 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 t...

After a tough start to the Dodgers series, the Blue Jays manage a win. Arden and Ben discuss the latest wave of injuries (09:35), the ongoing pitching puzzle (16:42), and the underperforming offence (49:40). 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...

Fresh off the Blue Jays getting swept by the White Sox, Arden connects with Ben in Chicago for an on-the-ground look at the team’s various health issues (04:32), an underperforming offence (19:08), and what led to Brendon Little’s optioning (38:08). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsn...