Artificial Turf Wars

The broadcasters for the Buffalo Bisons, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Vancouver Canadians, and Dunedin Blue Jays' comms guy gather to provide their insights on how Blue Jays prospects have played in the past week. Pat Malacaro (Bisons) speaks about his team's big 21-9 win, Nick Fraze's debut, and Hayden Juenger's struggles to start 2023. Steve Goldberg (Fisher Cats) gives us an update on Ricky Tiedemann's injury the return of Hagen Danner from injury, and infielders Leo Jimenez and Miguel Hiraldo. Host Tyler Zickel (Canadians) thanks Andrew Thriffiley (D-Jays) for some former D-Jays, like Devonte Brown, Rainer Nunez, Gabby Martinez, and Trenton Wallace, who have been performing well for the C's. Andrew tells us about Manuel Beltre's new protective mask, Tucker Toman, Adrian Pinto, and Harry Rutkowski. He also gives us a couple of language lessons: the term "Boot Boy" and the proper pronunciation of "Brandon Barriera". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We start by welcoming our new podcast friends, Around the Nest, to the feed, then Greg and Josh break down a very up and down (and very down) week of the Jays as via: The Good: Gausman dominance, Chapman player of the month and Varsho swinging for power The Bad: Berríos and Kikuchi rough starts, bullpen breakdowns and The Ugly: Lots or errors recently and confusing managing decision, all happening in very close games where they matter the most. They finish things off by answering some listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The broadcasters for the Buffalo Bisons, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and Vancouver Canadians gather to talk about how Blue Jays prospects have started the 2023 season. Pat Malacaro (Bisons) introduces listeners to the hand gestures that can be used to challenge an automated ball and strike call, Ernie Clement's hot start, and who is in the early running to be a spot starter for the Toronto Blue Jays. Steve Goldberg (Fisher Cats) gives us an update on Ricky Tiedemann, Jimmy Burnette's uptick in fastball velocity, and the strong starts by Leo Jimenez, Trevor Schwecke, Dylan Rock, and Surrey's Damiano Palmegiani. Host Tyler Zickel (Canadians) thinks Vancouver is the most talented team in the Blue Jays' farm system. Devereaux Harrison, Justin Kelly, and Dahian Santos have seen velo increases, Riley Tirotta is the Canadians' (and perhaps the Northwest League's) hottest hitter, and coach Ashley Stephenson's work with infielder Josh Kasevich using a special pair of glasses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg

Greg, Josh and Nick discuss the latest week of developments for the Blue Jays including the incredible run for the rotation, the lack of depth that popped up temporarily with Chris Bassitt's injury scare, the changing bullpen roles that led to the return of Nate Pearson, Danny Jansen heating up, Brandon Belt slowly rounding into form, the bottom of the order powering a few wins and a potential injury to George Springer. They also answer listener questions and give out a Do Over to Apple TV's broadcast team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg and Josh discuss the latest happenings in Blue Jays land including the upside down rotation with strong work from Kikuchi, Berríos and Bassitt and stinkers from Gausman and Manoah, Chapman continuing to use the opposite field to produce, Guerrero ending his power drought, Romano's double-slider usage, Merrifield being the only fighter in the 2B battle and Nathan Lukes getting the recall. They also answer listener questions and give a Gold Star to Sportsnet.

Greg and Josh go over the latest from the early Blue Jays season. They discuss the strong starts for Matt Chapman, Vlad Guerrero and Bo Bichette, the magic of the home opener, Kevin Kiermaier's contributions and the odd approach pitcher are taking to him, some crazy comebacks and what they saw in the latest trip through the rotation. They also answer listener questions and give a Do Over to the Marlins for some cruelty. 

Greg and Josh discuss the confounding first week of 2023 Blue Jays baseball. They talk about the poor pitching performances that preceded good ones with confusing underlying metrics, the early bullpen hierarchy, incredible starts from Vlad Jr and Matt Chapman, the improved outfield defence with a specific focus on Kevin Kiermaier, Brandon Belt's struggles and the addition of Jordan Luplow. They also answer listener questions and give out a couple of Do Overs.

Greg and Josh break down all 25 locks to make the opening day roster at 2 minutes per player, plus briefly discuss the last two players in battle for the 26th spot.

Greg and Josh discuss the latest developments as spring training nears its end. They go over Alek Manoah officially earning the opening day nod, Kikuchi showing the best command he has had all spring and the velocity band that allowed it, the final two contestants for the final roster spot and where they stand, the intriguing performance of Jay Jackson that unfortunately led to his release and the magical end to the World Baseball Classic. Finally they answer listener questions and do a brief preview of their expectations for the clubs in the rest of the division.

Greg and Josh discuss the latest in Jays/baseball news. They talk about the return to health for Vlad Guerrero Jr. and the unfortunate timing for the WBC, Canada's ouster from the tournament despite strong performences from Claude Julien, Tyler O'Neill and Otto Lopez, Lopez chances of making the Blue Jays, Yusei Kikuchi's deceptively poor outing, Mitch White's return to health and its effect on the Jays' depth and Kevin Gausman's latest attempt at adapting to the new rules.They also answer listener questions and give out a Gold Star to Duque Hebbert and the Detroit Tigers.

Greg and Josh discuss the latest news and notes from spring training and the world of the Blue Jays. They give an update on the injury to Vlad Guerrero Jr. and his role in the World Baseball classic with talk of the risks of the classic as a whole, look at what Kikuchi may be doing differently to put up the early spring success, wonder if Gausman's new delivery could be a thing to worry about and applaud the Blue Jays for putting Jose Bautista on the Level of Excellence.Finally, they answer listener questions, give a Do Over to Team Canada's WBC designers and award a Gold Star to Zack Greinke.

Greg and Josh share their thoughts from the first week of spring training with topics including Vlad's early power display, Manoah's growth, the new pitch clock and how it could positively affect a Blue Jays' pitcher, Yusei Kikuchi's new breaking ball, José Berríos' mechanical/pitch changes, Nate Pearson's new role, Ricky Tiedemann's impressive debut and the issues resulting from Alejandro Kirk's late arrival to camp.Finally, they answer listener questions and give out a Gold Star.

Greg and Josh discuss the three year contract given to Bo Bichette and what it means for his future, the signing of Chad Green and his bizarre contract structure and Canadian/Blue Jays involvement in the World Baseball Classic.They also answer listener questions and give out both a Gold Star and a Do Over.

Greg and Josh discuss the signing of Brandon Belt and his impact on the offence and the roles of the two catchers, the trade for Zach Thompson and his role on the club, the departure of Julian Merryweather, the remaining holes on the roster and how they might be filled and the new SkyDome wall distances and how they could impact both the offence and the pitching staff.Finally, they answer listener questions before debuting the "Meet the Mets" segment and giving out a Gold Star to Vlad Jr.

Greg and Josh discuss the big trade that sent star prospect Gabriel Moreno and fan-favourite Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to Arizona in exchange for Daulton Varsho. The go over what Varsho brings to the table, how he fits into a vastly different-looking Blue Jays outfield, how he can improve and what the Jays gave away and why. They also look ahead to the remaining offseason needs.Finally, the answer a bunch of listener questions and give out a Gold Star to the a team social feed.

Greg and Josh discuss the first significant acquisitions of the offseason since the trade of Teoscar Hernández to Seattle. The go over the strengths and risks that come with Kevin Kiermaier and how his signing ties works in with new pitcher Chris Bassitt and the team's overall desire to improve their run prevention. They also say goodbye to Ross Stripling and look ahead to the rest of the offseason. Finally, they answer questions and give a Do Over to a division-rival's team president.

Greg and Josh discuss the lack of action for the Blue Jays at the Winter Meetings and what the moves they didn't make and the ones their opponents did make mean for the rest of the offseason, Don Mattingly's hiring, Alek Manoah's first team MLB selection and Fred McGriff making the MLB Hall of Fame. They also answer listener questions and give out a Do Over to MLB.

Greg and Nick discuss Alejandro Kirk's silver slugger win, the surprising trade of Teoscar Hernández to the Mariners for Erik Swanson and Adam Macko, the impact of the trade on the Jays roster and their upcoming needs, the adds to the 40-man roster and subsequent DFAs of Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer and the rumours surrounding Brandon Nimmo and Cody Bellinger.They finish the show by answering some listener questions.

Greg, Josh and Nick give out their annual end of the year awards to the Blue Jays including topics like Best Hitter, MVP, Favourite Moment and less obvious, more random categories such as "The Bon Voyage," "Most Surreal Moment" and "The Meltdowningest Relief Pitcher."

Greg and Josh discuss the unfortunate 2-game sweep at the hands of the Seattle Mariners in the Wild Card round. They go over Luis Castillo's dominance, the questionable decisions in game 2, the bad luck bloops, the bullpen issues and what it could all mean for fan interest going into the offseason.They also answer listener questions and briefly look ahead to the offseason.