At The Letters

One year after coming out publicly, Sportsnet 590 The FAN radio host Scott MacArthur joins Arden and Ben to talk Pride, MLB labour and the Blue Jays’ chances in 2020. 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 this […]

By drafting Austin Martin, the Blue Jays landed a player some considered the best prospect in the draft. Arden and Ben discuss the surprising circumstances that allowed Toronto to land Martin and look ahead at what comes next for MLB. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith […]

In less than two weeks, the Blue Jays will make their highest draft choice in decades. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline and Shi Davidi join Arden and Ben to discuss the challenge and the opportunity facing Jays decision makers. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and […]

As players and owners continue negotiating the terms of the 2020 MLB season, the Blue Jays have a lot at stake. Arden and Ben discuss it all – from the minutiae to the bigger picture. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views […]

Two months after the season was suspended, Blue Jays pitchers have learned a lot about working from home. Bullpen coach Matt Buschmann joins Arden and Ben for a discussion about how the staff is preparing behind the scenes. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden […]

Getting the 2020 baseball season going will be nothing if not complex. Shi Davidi joins Arden and Ben to discuss the latest plans and the many ways the Blue Jays will be impacted. This episode is recorded and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions […]

As discussion about a potential 2020 MLB season intensifies, Arden and Ben weigh in on some potential structures for a shortened season while also examining some of the remaining obstacles. This episode is recorded and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in this […]

This week Ben and Arden turned to ATL listeners for questions on everything from the 2020 season, past Blue Jays teams, sportswriting and food. #AskATL 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 this podcast are those of the […]

Before the MLB season went on pause, Matt Shoemaker joined Arden and Ben at spring training for a wide-ranging conversation about injury rehab, the Blue Jays’ pitching staff and Mike Trout. This episode is produced by Amil Delic, mixed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in […]

Listen to Sports On Pause at https://sprtsnt.ca/3e7nTAZ or search and subscribe in your podcatcher. COVID-19 is impacting the world unlike anything we’ve seen in 100 years, and sports has not escaped its effects. The newest podcast from Sportsnet features hosts Richard Deitsch and Donnovan Bennett in conversation with athletes and executives, health professionals and journalists […]

What does physical distancing look like for the Toronto Blue Jays? Randal Grichuk joins Arden and Ben to discuss his workouts and state of mind with the 2020 baseball season on pause. This episode is produced and recorded by Amil Delic, sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views […]

With no baseball on the schedule, Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell has been making plenty of calls. This time he phones Ben and Arden to talk about his conversations with fans and some classic Jays games. This episode is produced and record by Amil Delic, sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben […]

With uncertainty still surrounding the start of the 2020 MLB season, Arden and Ben wonder what’s next before discussing some of the classic Blue Jays games now airing on Sportsnet. Listen to our interview Andrew Albers HERE. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. […]

A few days ago, the COVID-19 outbreak led to the indefinite suspension of the MLB season. What now? Arden and Ben discuss the implications of the pause in play for society at large and for the Blue Jays. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden […]

How does baseball’s top right-handed pitching prospect prepare himself? Nate Pearson joins Arden and Ben in Dunedin, Fla. to talk tech, food, sleep, workload and the high hopes he has for his career. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Special thanks to Maria St. […]

All of a sudden opening day’s not all that far off. From the Blue Jays’ spring training home in Dunedin, Fla., Ben asks Arden for his Grapefruit League impressions and a discussion about Nate Pearson follows. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Audio […]

Arden and Ben discuss ongoing Astros scandal and the ways it’s impacting the Blue Jays before moving on to the latest on-field news. “Who is the Blue Jays top outfield prospect?” -Arden Zwelling This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is […]

While the Blue Jays still have work to do, Hyun-jin Ryu could be a difference maker. Arden and Ben take stock of what the recent additions mean for a new-look Toronto roster. This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters also on […]

Chase Anderson’s a Blue Jay now. What’s next? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith explain who is (and isn’t) a free agent fit before considering Toronto’s options in centre field. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is also on YouTube. Watch […]

With the regular season over, it’s time to zoom out a little. Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith ask Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro about his professional future, the Blue Jays’ next moves and some potential rule changes in baseball. “I love where I am.” – Mark Shapiro, Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO At The Letters […]

With some much-needed help from Shi Davidi, Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith review their annual over/under predictions. As always, past assumptions about the Blue Jays prove questionable in time. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is presented by the All-New […]

Few people have seen as much of Vlad, Bo and Biggio as John Schneider. The Blue Jays coach joins Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith to discuss the development of those rookies and what he watches for from the dugout. “He (Bo Bichette) thinks he’s going to be Mickey Mantle — Mike Trout. There’s no hesitation.” -John […]

How would you grade the Blue Jays’ rookie infielders? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith weigh in on Vlad, Bo and Biggio while also discussing the Toronto bullpen and Trevor Bauer’s next team. “Cavan Biggio is having a better rookie season than Vladimir Guerrero Jr.” -Arden Zwelling This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted […]

Imagine obsessing over every last pitch thrown by the 2019 Blue Jays. That’s Pete Walker’s job. As a tough season winds down, Walker joins Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith for a big picture discussion about pitching. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At […]

Remember when the Blue Jays won games for a while? Those days are over. As September call-ups arrive in Toronto, Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith discuss the club’s struggles and recent additions. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is presented […]

Josh Donaldson’s back and he’s hitting again, so Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith assess last year’s trade before discussing Rowdy Tellez’s production and previewing the Blue Jays’ September call-ups. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is also on YouTube. This […]

Now that Nate Pearson’s just one step away from the majors, how soon could he make his MLB debut? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith discuss before turning their attention to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s knee and the Jays’ use of the opener. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben […]

GM Ross Atkins joins Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling for a big-picture discussion about where the Blue Jays are now and what has to happen for them to contend. This episode is produced by Steven Coyle and Ryan Walsh, sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters […]

Bo Bichette can’t be stopped, so Arden and Ben discuss his historic stretch, what the Blue Jays can do to address their pitching, and Mark Shapiro’s recent media availability. “I don’t know if the Blue Jays are going to win in two years or three years. None of us know if they are going to […]

With Sanchez, Biagini and Hudson all traded, Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith make sense of the Blue Jays’ decisions and assess the return coming to Toronto. “I just don’t think you can criticize the front office for, you know, oh — they don’t now what they are doing. No! They’re doing what every other team […]

Marcus Stroman and Eric Sogard have been traded. Did the Blue Jays get enough back? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith make sense of the moves and Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline weighs in on the return. “This would be a really big story (Bo Bichette called up) if it hadn’t happened on the day that […]

Is this it for Marcus Stroman and the Blue Jays? And if so, what happens next? Shi Davidi joins Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith in studio to make sense of the Blue Jays ahead of the deadline. “One of the great things about Blue Jays fans is that Blue Jays fans obsess over these tiny […]

Just like that, we’re only two weeks away from the trade deadline, so Blue Jays play by play voice Mike Wilner joins Ben Nicholson-Smith at Fenway Park to discuss the team’s top trade chips. “The Blue Jays are going to be good next year. They’re going to be very good in a couple of years. […]

What if there was no such thing as a ceiling for MLB players? This week, The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh joins At the Letters to talk about the MVP Machine, the book on player development he co-authored. “He knows he’s going to be traded. That was really my takeaway from talking to Stroman on the Monday […]

What if Lourdes Gurriel Jr. can be a star for this team? This week Arden and Ben discuss Gurriel Jr., marvel at Cavan Biggio’s plate approach and break down Aaron Sanchez’s struggles. “Don?t forget about the elite left field defence that you are getting (from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.). Don’t forget about the fact that nobody […]

Dan Shulman returns to Sportsnet’s podwaves by pinch-hitting for Ben this week. Dan and Arden discuss why the Yankees seem like a good fit for Marcus Stroman, the Blue Jays minor-league pitching depth, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s improvement as a fielder and hitter, Cavan Biggio’s plate discipline and a surprisingly upbeat clubhouse. “It’s the young guys’ […]

After covering the NBA Finals, Arden returns to talk Raptors and Blue Jays with Ben. Plus, discussions about Marcus Stroman and Ross Atkins. “I think Stroman has known since last year it was a possibility. Over the winter it was something the Blue Jays were openly talking about that they would listen to offers on […]