Greg Wisniewski and Joshua Howsam bring you a podcast that combines everything you want to know about the Blue Jays with a little bit of fun. Guests add to the excitement, including the occasional big league player who wants to do a different kind of interview.
Greg and Josh go over a rough week in Blue Jays land by discussing, the debut of Cavan Biggio, Lourdes Gurriel’s hot return and his streakiness, Marcus Stroman pitching well through illness, a brief Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slump and the ups and downs of being a 20-year-old big leaguer, Aaron Sanchez’ continued finger problems, and the recent roster roulette. Finally, they answer listener questions, discuss trade strategies, and give out a Do Over.
Greg and Josh discuss the latest week in Blue Jays land including the bizarre Victoria Day Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bench day, Vlad’s hot streak, Marcus Stroman vs Alex Cora, Rowdy Tellez’ power stroke and injuries to the pitching staff. They also give out a belated Gold Star to a former manager and an in-house Do Over.
In a week of Toronto sports media coverage dominated by the heroics of Kawhi Leonard, baseball just rumbled along slowly. Greg and Nick are here to break down what happened during a week where the club didn’t receive much attention. They discuss the continued struggles of the offence, Marcus Stroman’s emotions, Aaron Sanchez’ unpredictable nature, the pickup of Edwin Jackson, Justin Smoak’s four walk game, and of course, Vlad Guerrero Jr. Finally they answer listener questions and give out a Do Over
Jeremy Wolf of More Than Baseball stop by to discuss his company’s efforts to improve the quality of life for minor leaguers. He goes into how they help minor leaguers cope with low wages, how they get funding for the operation, and their recent partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays and what that means. Greg and Josh talk about a rough week of baseball including Vlad Jr.’s struggles and horrible luck, a rough couple of starts for Marcus Stroman, Sam Gaviglio’s strong turn in the bullpen, player meetings, and position players pitching. Finally, they answer listener questions and give out a Do Over to a current Blue Jay.
After nearly a month of waiting, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally made his MLB debut this week. Greg, Josh and Nick break down the first weekend of Vladdy-mania including looks at his performance on both sides of the ball, the feeling in Toronto, pinch running foibles, and the hype around the league. They also discuss Brandon Drury’s hot streak, a good run against Oakland, and the idea that the Jays could be shopping Aaron Sanchez and Brandon Drury. Finally, they answer listener questions and give out a Do Over to scouts from all 30 big league teams.
Greg and Josh go over the last week in Blue Jays land. They begin by discussing the call up of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the hype surrounding the move, expectations for the rookie and what it can mean for Blue Jays fans going forward. They also discuss some unbelievable defending in Oakland, Justin Smoak’s continued hot streak, Rowdy Tellez’ offensive profile, injuries to the rotation and the importance of the successes of Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez, and the hand injury to Bo Bichette. They finish the show by playing Swing and a Drive with one of their patrons, answering listener questions and giving out a Do Over for Buck Math.
Greg and Josh go over the first successful week of the Blue Jays’ 2019 season. They discuss the success and risk factors for Freddy Galvis’ early season surge, Justin Smoak’s emergence as an on-base threat, some odd baserunning and clutch fielding, the returns to prominence of Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman and potential for regression, Trent Thornton’s recent struggles, Joe Biagini seizing the setup role, Ryan Tepera’s return, and conflicting reports about Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s debut. Finally, they answer listener questions and give out a Do Over to MLB.
Greg and Josh go over the latest news and notes from the a 2-4 week of Blue Jays baseball. They discuss the hitting troubles against Cleveland and what could be causing some of the problems, the bright spot that has been the incredible starting pitching and late game relief work, a controversial bunt decision during the game against Boston, the incredible steal of home by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. that came from it, the pending returns of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Clay Buchholz and the performance of the former Jays. Finally, they answer listener questions and give out a Do Over to Pat Tabler.
Greg and Josh cover a very newsworthy week in Blue Jays land. First they go over the Kevin Pillar trade by discussing his legacy as a Blue Jay, why it was time for him to go, and the return from the Giants. Next they talk about the acquisition of Socrates Brito and his role with the club, the extension for Randal Grichuk, the injury to Clayton Richard and the recoveries of Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Clay Buchholz. They then get into the games themselves for the first time all year, discussing the hitting woes and some of the encouraging signs from starters Aaron Sanchez, Matt Shoemaker, and Trent Thornton. Finally, they answer listener questions and give out a Do-Over.
Before getting into their annual 25 in 50 breakdown, Greg and Josh discuss the trade of Kendrys Morales to the Oakland Athletics and why the Jays made the move. Then take two minutes per player to break down all 24 members of the opening day roster and the two people fighting for the last spot, Bud Norris and Javy Guerra.
R.J. Anderson of CBS stops by to preview the Tampa Bay Rays in the final AL East Preview episode. He talks about the “opener’s” contributions to the Rays’ success in 2018, the lack of spending this offseason, the various strengths and weaknesses of the rotation and offence, and visits from ghosts in team hotels. Greg and Josh also discuss the rash of injuries to the bullpen (Ryan Tepera, John Axford, Bud Norris) and the effect that will have on the relief corps that the club takes north, the latest setback for Dalton Pompey, the extension signed by Eloy Jimenez and what that could mean for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the potential return of Jordan Romano to the Blue Jays. Finally, they answer listener questions and give out a Gold Star to the Blue Jays.
Jay Jaffe of Fangraphs stop by to preview the New York Yankees. He discussed the non-pursuit of Manny Machado, the current infield with Troy Tulowitzki at SS and DJ LeMahieu in utility role, the pitching depth, the position battle at 1B, and the up and downsides for this team. Greg and Josh also go over the latest spring news including Vlad Jr.’s injury, the rotation announcement, the successes of Bo Bichette and Anthony Alford, and Mark Shapiro’s recent comments. Finally they answer listener questions, give two Do Overs, and ponder the recently announced rule changes to MLB.
Jake English of Birds Eye View Baltimore stops by to look ahead at the Orioles as part of the AL East preview series. They go over tips when watching a terrible team and what kinds of things to look forward to from a bottom feeding club. Greg and Josh also discuss the signings of Clay Buchholz and Bud Norris, the effects of those moves both on the roster machinations and the clubhouse chemistry, Devon Travis’ continued injury issues, Aaron Sanchez’ strong spring debut, and some wonder from Vlad Jr. Finally, the answer listener questions and analyze the potential rule change to add a 26th man to the roster in 2020.
In the first AL East Preview episode of 2019, Matt Kory stops by to talk all things Red Sox. He goes over the inactivity this offseason, the depth in the bullpen following the departures of Joe Kelly (Dodgers) and Craig Kimbrel (unsigned), risk in the rotation, the shallow farm, and the prospects for a repeat division title. Greg and Josh also discuss Ross Atkins’ latest comments on Vlad Guerrero Jr. and the media circus that surrounded them, Billy McKinney seeing time at first base and the implications thereof, and the unexpected celebration and words from Troy Tulowitzki following his spring home run off of Marcus Stroman. Finally, they answer listener questions, give out a Gold Star, and ponder the latest evidence that Rob Manfred Hates Baseball.
MLB Player Agent Joshua Kusnick stops by to discuss the state of free agency (24:40). In a passionate interview, Kusnick talks about the way free agency is being handled (from lack of offers for certain types of players to what seem like coordinated offer timings for others), the comments from Rob Manfred, media/fan reaction to the situation, and leaving the game of baseball behind. Greg and Josh (Howsam) also cover Marcus Stroman’s comments to the media, the concept of leadership and its presence in the Blue Jays clubhouse, and Freddy Galvis choosing to give up no. 19. They also answer listener questions and go over something the Blue Jays actually won.