
At The Letters
287 episodes — Page 5 of 6

Ep 86Deadline Decisions
Not only are the Blue Jays coming back to Toronto, but the trade deadline is also just a week away. So what are the Blue Jays’ biggest needs right now? And which players would meet them best? Arden and Ben weigh in on all this and more. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Andrew Norton and […]

Ep 85How the Blue Jays will approach a busy three weeks
The Blue Jays have plenty on their plate this month: MLB’s draft, the trade deadline, a possible move to Toronto, and constant roster decisions as the club tries to keep up in the AL East race. Arden chats with Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi about the various fronts Toronto’s front office is currently working on (1:29). Then […]

Ep 84Jays Kick Off Trade Season by Finally Addressing Bullpen
At long last, the Blue Jays acquired relief help. Arden and Ben give their takes on Adam Cimber, Corey Dickerson, and which moves the club should make next. Also, with Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen nearing returns, what should the Blue Jays do with the hot-hitting Reese McGuire? This episode is produced and sound engineered […]

Ep 83One month from deadline, Jays build some momentum
Finally, a win streak for the Blue Jays – not that they don’t still need help. Ben and Arden discuss the Jays’ deadline options, give the starting rotation some credit and look at some names to watch in the minors. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben […]

Ep 82As Vlad mashes, Jays’ bullpen questions persist
Vlad Guerrero Jr. keeps hitting home runs, but the Jays aren’t taking full advantage. Arden and Ben look ahead at possible trade targets for the bullpen and wonder what the Jays can do in the meantime. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Andrew Norton and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Submit your questions, […]

Ep 81Thin Bullpen Creates High-Stress Moments for Jays
By now it’s clear: the Blue Jays’ bullpen is an issue. Ben and Arden make sense of the Jays’ existing options and look ahead at possible trades before delving into MLB’s sticky stuff controversy. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Submit your questions, comments, and topic […]

Ep 80What’s in store this summer for the Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays are playing better, which leads to some interesting questions for Arden and Ben. Among them: what are this team’s deadline needs? Where does Manoah fit? And when could the Jays return to Toronto? Music Outro: The Ruddy Ruckus – Hold On My Love Listen to the full track here! This episode is […]

Ep 79After a tough week for Blue Jays, Manoah arrives
What does Alek Manoah’s arrival mean for the Blue Jays? And what do the team’s recent struggles tell us about what they’ll need this summer? Ben and Arden weigh in on that and also break down some key features of this Blue Jays team, from their new “home” in Buffalo to who is making or breaking expectations […]

Ep 78Jays Playing Well as Manoah Pushes for the Majors
One-quarter of the way through the season, the Blue Jays are in a good spot. Plus, when will Alek Manoah join them? And where would Ben and Arden place Vlad Jr. on their early-season MVP ballots? This episode is produced and sound engineered by Andrew Norton and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Audio Credits: 920 […]

Ep 77Blue Jays Rolling as Offence Starts Picking Up
The Blue Jays are playing well – maybe surprisingly well. Arden and Ben take stock of the Blue Jays and wonder when top prospect Alek Manoah could join the roster. Music Outro: The Backstays – Forever Gold Bricks Listen to their latest album “Tributaries” here! This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted […]

Ep 76Brendan Gallagher: Canadiens winger & Jays super-fan
First, a check-in on Nate Pearson. Then, Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher joins Arden and Ben to talk about his love for the game of baseball, his Jays fandom and handling chirps from opposing fans. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, mixed by Andrew Norton and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Audio […]

Ep 75Injuries Create Intrigue, but Jays Keep Winning
George Springer and Alejandro Kirk are on the injured list, but the Blue Jays are still holding their own. Arden and Ben make sense of the latest around the Blue Jays and wonder which former Jay would help this team the most. Music Outro: Ormiston – Step from the Limelight Check out more of his […]

Ep 74As Springer Debuts, Vlad Jr.’s Breakout Continues
George Springer is back and Vlad Jr. is breaking out at the plate. What does it all mean? Ben and Arden take stock of the latest with the Jays before discussing some of their favourite players to watch league-wide. Music Outro: Tré Wes – Smell The Roses Listen to more music by Tré Wes here! […]

Ep 73Pitching Keeping Jays Afloat, But Bats Are Needed
How about this for a role reversal? The Blue Jays aren’t hitting but they lead the American League in ERA. Arden and Ben assess some early season performances and discuss the state of the team’s infield defence. Outro Music: Terell Safadi – Made For This Listen to more music by Terell Safadi here! This episode […]

Ep 72Vlad and Bo Helping Blue Jays Overcome Injuries
The injuries keep coming for the Blue Jays, but Vlad and Bo are doing more than their share to help the team compete. Arden and Ben take stock of all things Blue Jays, including the pitching staff and a promising rookie. Outro Music: Art d’Ecco – Head Rush Listen to the track here! This episode […]

Ep 71The Best (And Worst) Of The Blue Jays’ First Week
Some Blue Jays look unbelievable early on, while others are struggling mightily. Arden and Ben attempt to make sense of it all, discuss the Ross Atkins extension, and introduce the ‘Reese McGuire rule’ to ATL. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Matt Collins, and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. The views and opinions expressed […]

Ep 70Annual Over/Unders for the 2021 Blue Jays
How many innings will Pearson pitch? How much WAR will Springer generate? And will we see Manoah in the majors? Our annual over/unders episode answers all the Blue Jays questions you never knew you even had. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Andrew Norton, and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. The views […]

Ep 69From Here On It Counts For The 2021 Blue Jays
It’s now time for final decisions and roster moves. With opening day nearly here, Arden and Ben take stock of the Blue Jays’ roster and look ahead to the season-opening series in the Bronx. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Andrew Norton, mixed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben […]

Ep 68Ross Stripling On Curveballs, Clayton And Confidence
Arden and Ben discuss the fallout from an eventful week at Blue Jays camp, including injuries of varying severity to Kirby Yates, George Springer, and Robbie Ray. Plus, Ross Stripling joins the guys to talk about his days with the Dodgers, how he’s developed his curveball, and MiLB’s new rules for the 2021 season. This […]

Ep 67Manoah Impresses As Blue Jays’ Depth Gets Tested
Two pitching injuries in one week? That’s going to test the Blue Jays’ depth. Plus, Ben and Arden weigh in on further questions surrounding spring standouts Alejandro Kirk and Alek Manoah. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in […]

Ep 66Separating Fact From Fiction With The Blue Jays
What really matters in spring training? And what should we ignore? After discussing the latest Blue Jays news, Ben and Arden attempt to separate fact from fiction on some pressing (and not-so-pressing) Jays-related topics. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video and […]

Ep 65Tough Questions For The Blue Jays On And Off The Field
On the field, Nate Pearson battles a groin strain. Off the field, some troubling allegations lead to questions for top Blue Jays execs. This week, Ben and Arden discuss those developments as well as some of the positives in Jays camp. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben […]

Ep 64First Impressions Of The 2021 Blue Jays
Spring is here, and the Blue Jays seem optimistic about their chances. As the first full week winds down in Dunedin, Ben and Arden discuss their impressions of the team and look ahead at some potentially tough decisions. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our […]

Ep 63Spring Begins With High Expectations
Pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin Thursday and position players will be in camp next week, and the Blue Jays’ chances haven’t looked this good in years. This team’s still got lots of questions, though, so Arden and Ben break them all down with ATL’s 2021 spring training preview. This episode is produced and sound […]

Ep 62Semien, Springer… And Maybe More For The Blue Jays
All of a sudden, the Blue Jays are making all kinds of moves — and more may be on the way. Arden and Ben break down the team’s latest, wonder what it would mean for the Jays to be a “behemoth” and look ahead at what’s next. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, […]

Ep 61Springer A Huge Addition For Ascending Blue Jays
Well, the Toronto landed its top target after all. George Springer is a Blue Jay, so Ben and Arden break down what his deal means, how it impacts the roster and what comes next. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video and […]

Ep 60Where Do The Jays Go From Here?
Francisco Lindor is off to New York, Ha-Seong Kim is joining San Diego and Tomoyuki Sugano is heading back to Japan. So where do the Blue Jays turn now as off-season dominos continue to fall? Ben and Arden discuss. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Arden Zwelling and […]

Ep 59You Asked. We Answered. It’s The Blue Jays Mailbag.
With the MLB off-season progressing … deliberately, Arden and Ben turn their attention to listener questions on everything from possible trades and 2021 breakouts, to top prospects and favourite holiday foods. This episode is sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video and social media producer is Mike Tassone. The views […]

Ep 58Is This The Calm Before The Storm For The Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays are in on everyone, but signing no one — yet. After covering the virtual Winter Meetings, Ben and Arden explain why they still expect some big roster improvements are on the way. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Mike Tassone […]

Ep 57What We’ve Learned About The Blue Jays This Winter
It’s been a quiet off-season around baseball, but that’s never stopped ATL from reading between the lines. Once Ben and Arden get started with their reads, they find that we’ve actually learned quite a few lessons about the Blue Jays this winter. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith […]

Ep 56Decoding What The Latest Jays Rumours Really Mean
The Blue Jays are positioned to make some big moves this winter, but what’s real and what’s conjecture? Ben and Arden pull back the curtain on the rumour mill and look ahead to what’s next in Toronto. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video […]

Ep 55How Far Off Were Our 2020 Over/Under Predictions?
Every year we make predictions, and every year we’re reminded that you really can’t predict baseball. With some help from OG ATL producer Sam McKee, Ben and Arden look back at what we expected this season. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our […]

Ep 54Scouting The International Market With Andrew Tinnish
First, some thoughts on Mark Shapiro’s latest comments. Then, Blue Jays VP Andrew Tinnish joins Arden and Ben to share some international scouting stories about the likes of Vlad Jr. and Alejandro Kirk. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video and social […]

Ep 53The Blue Jays’ Many Off-Season Decisions
After an early playoff exit, it’s time to plan ahead. Arden and Ben discuss everything from club options to non-tenders to trade targets in this wide-ranging off-season preview episode. This episode is produced and sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video and social media producer is Mike […]

Ep 52Missed Opportunity Ends Memorable Jays Season
Just like that, it’s all over. Arden and Ben look back at a missed opportunity against the Rays and review some of the moments and decisions that led the Blue Jays to where they are. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video […]

Ep 51How Can The Jays Upset The Rays?
The playoffs are here — and the Blue Jays have a huge opportunity in front of them. Arden and Ben look ahead the series against the Rays, making sense of a surprise pitching decision and more. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Mike […]

Ep 50Tactical Decisions Await Jays As Playoffs Near
How much will Alejandro Kirk catch? Who would start Game 2? With the Blue Jays on the brink of the playoffs, Arden and Ben look ahead at some decisions the team will soon be facing. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Our video […]

Ep 49Struggling Jays Still Positioned Well – For Now
After some ugly losses, defensive woes and injuries, the Blue Jays certainly have their issues. But as Arden and Ben explain, this team’s still in a good spot in the standings — unless things really go sideways. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. […]

Ep 48Big Decisions Await The Blue Jays Down The Stretch
The Blue Jays lost two more big bats to the injured list, but some reinforcements are coming, too. With that in mind, Arden and Ben break down the biggest decisions facing the Blue Jays down the stretch. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. […]

Ep 47How A Busy Deadline Impacts The Blue Jays Roster
It wasn’t quite a Padres-level shopping spree, but the Blue Jays were busy on deadline day. Arden and Ben break down all of the Blue Jays’ moves down and look ahead at how the newcomers fit the roster. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden […]

Ep 46Why The Blue Jays Can Say More By Playing Less
Arden and Ben begin with a discussion that goes beyond baseball to the boycotts and postponements happening across sports. Then, they turn their attention to the trade deadline. Now that Taijuan Walker’s a Blue Jay, who’s next? At The Letters is produced and sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden […]

Ep 45Well-Timed Hot Streak Means The Blue Jays Are Buyers
After their best week yet, the Blue Jays are undeniably in contention. Arden and Ben discuss what that means ahead of the trade deadline and assess the on-field impact of some major injuries. This podcast is produced and sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is […]

Ep 44No One Ever Said Major League Baseball Is Easy, Right?
Arden and Ben analyze the struggles of some of the young Blue Jays before discussing Charlie Montoyo’s moves and looking ahead to the trade deadline. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is also on YouTube. Watch it here. Our video […]

Ep 43Blue Jays Hitters Have To Step Up Sometime Soon
The Blue Jays keep pitching well, but what happened to their bats? Arden and Ben take stock of Toronto’s struggling offence and wonder about a way to find some outside-the-box help. This episode is produced and sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Audio Credits: YouTube.com/MLB The views and […]

Ep 42Pearson Excels But Things Get Much Weirder For The Jays
Nate Pearson’s debut couldn’t have gone better, but suddenly the Blue Jays have no weekend opponent. Arden and Ben discuss a wild debut week for Toronto with a focus on the pitching staff. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Audio Credits: YouTube.com/MLB The […]

Ep 41The Homeless Blue Jays and 2020 Over/Unders
It’s Opening Day for the Blue Jays and they still don’t know where their home schedule will be played. Arden and Ben discuss the implications of a 60-game road trip and why Nate Pearson didn’t crack Toronto’s Opening Day roster. Plus, the 2020 edition of ATL’s greatest tradition — Over/Unders. This episode is produced and […]

Ep 40Dan Shulman Talks Broadcasting During A Pandemic
Fresh off a two-game stint calling intrasquad contests, Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins Arden to chat about preparing to broadcast games off a monitor this season and what he’s seen so far at the team’s camp. This episode is produced and sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Arden Zwelling. Audio Credits: […]

Ep 39New Kind Of Jays Camp Off To Complicated Start
The Blue Jays made it to Toronto — but around MLB concerns over COVID-19 persist. Arden and Ben discuss the latest Blue Jays news and look ahead at what to expect from Vlad Guerrero Jr. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Audio Credits: […]

Ep 38Assessing The Path To The Majors For Pearson
Now that the minor-league season has been cancelled, prospect development looks completely different. Arden and Ben discuss what that means for Nate Pearson and others in the Blue Jays system. This episode is produced and edited by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Audio Credits: YouTube.com/MLB The views and opinions expressed […]

Ep 37Anticipating A One-Of-A-Kind Blue Jays Season
It took a while, but baseball’s back. Arden and Ben discuss what the return-to-play plans mean for the Blue Jays and the many remaining questions facing the Toronto organization. This episode is produced by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of […]