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At The Letters

Baseball

Ben Nicholson-Smith is Sportsnet’s baseball editor. Arden Zwelling is a senior writer. Together, they bring you the most in-depth Blue Jays podcast in the league, covering off all the latest news with opinion and analysis, as well as interviews with other insiders and people around the team.

Location:

United States

Description:

Ben Nicholson-Smith is Sportsnet’s baseball editor. Arden Zwelling is a senior writer. Together, they bring you the most in-depth Blue Jays podcast in the league, covering off all the latest news with opinion and analysis, as well as interviews with other insiders and people around the team.

Language:

English


Episodes
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On Deadline

7/25/2024
With less than a week remaining before the trade deadline, Arden and Ben discuss the Blue Jays’ approach to trades (00:20) and the status of GM Ross Atkins (15:12). Plus, a player-by-player look at who could move (26:18). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:00:55:07

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Rough Drafts

7/11/2024
This week, we zoom out a bit as Ben wonders: have the Blue Jays drafted well? Bo Bichette was a great pick (02:14) but since then, the Blue Jays have struggled (09:52) and the repercussions have been massive (21:00). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:00:36:13

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Setting Summer Strategy

7/3/2024
It’s time to set a summer strategy. Ben and Arden start by discussing the Blue Jays’ best approach to the trade deadline (4:46) before touching on some issues in the bullpen (28:10) and what’s next for Bo Bichette (40:59). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from Sportsnet & Sportsnet 590 The FAN This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:01:28

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Time For a Reset?

6/28/2024
The way things are going, it’s time to look ahead to 2025. Ben and Arden start with a big-picture look at the franchise (00:34) before discussing Orelvis Martinez’ suspension (19:05) and the vibe around the Blue Jays (25:25). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:05:09

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Let the Kids Play

6/20/2024
First it was Barger and Horwitz, now Orelvis Martinez is up, too. This week Ben and Arden discuss the Jays’ recent plateau (00:26), where they’d have to be to justify buying (21:06) and the state of the depleted Jays bullpen (42:04). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:00:47:17

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Jays in the Murky Middle

6/12/2024
The Blue Jays are below .500, but they’re still in the Wild Card mix (07:58). Ben and Arden discuss the Spencer Horwitz promotion (34:43), how much patience veteran hitters deserve (45:29) and the open fifth rotation spot (55:26). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:14:00

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Chasing the Elite

6/4/2024
Two months in, the Blue Jays are looking way up at MLB’s elite teams. Arden and Ben break down the team’s playoff chances (11:36), Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s move to third (26:00) and some big pitching questions (42:35). Additional audio from Sportsnet & Sportsnet 590 The FAN Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:00:56:06

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Running Hot and Cold

5/30/2024
The Blue Jays are hitting again, but they have real questions elsewhere (3:40). Ben and Arden start with a look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (11:24), before discussing Alek Manoah’s health (25:18) and the state of the bullpen (33:06). Additional audio from Sportsnet & Sportsnet 590 The FAN Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:00:55:51

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Big-League Stew

5/23/2024
The home run jacket. The trade deadline. Steward Berroa. Arden and Ben cover big topics on this week’s ATL, breaking down the Jays’ struggling bats (07:44) and deadline options (36:44) before giving the rotation some credit (50:35). Additional audio from MLB.com Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:06:23

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The Time for Results Is Now

5/17/2024
Big picture, the Blue Jays have some big looming questions (00:19). Arden and Ben break down the team’s upcoming schedule (09:52) before giving Yimi Garcia some credit (23:47) and wondering what’s next for Alek Manoah (35:20). Additional audio from MLB.com Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:00:58:44

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Pressure Increasing on the Blue Jays

5/10/2024
Coming off a challenging road trip, Ben and Arden get into how the next several weeks could impact Toronto’s strategy at the trade deadline (01:49), some short-term adjustments the club could make, (30:39) and Alek Manoah’s return (56:19). Additional audio from MLB.com Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:12:15

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Where Do the Jays Go From Here?

5/3/2024
The Blue Jays can’t score and it’s costing them. On this week’s episode, Shi Davidi joins Ben to discuss the state of the offence (00:31) and pitching (35:06), the possibility of trades (53:17) and where it will all lead this summer (1:08:00). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:12:25

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Still Searching for Offence

4/25/2024
It’s never quiet with the Blue Jays. On this week’s episode, Arden and Ben discuss a costly mistake by their first baseman (00:52) plus the possibility of lineup changes (14:24) and the state of the team’s pitching (24:51). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:01:54

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Power Hungry

4/19/2024
A few more homers would solve a lot for this team. Arden and Ben start by discussing the Blue Jays’ recent bullpen decisions (00:20) before giving the rotation some credit (32:47) and trying to make sense of the lineup (41:06). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Duration:01:09:03

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Into the Swing of Things

4/11/2024
Two steps forward, one step back. The Blue Jays have some reinforcements coming (10:05) but there are real questions in their bullpen (18:30). Plus, Arden and Ben discuss John Schneider after he got booed at home (48:24). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: MiLB.com, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliates.

Duration:01:08:03

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A Week on the Roller Coaster

4/4/2024
Well, it’s been quite a week. From no-hitters to late comebacks, Arden and Ben break down everything on the Blue Jays starting with their pitching (11:09) before assessing their bats (36:31) and some defensive decisions (54:56). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:04:30

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What’s Ahead For the ’24 Jays?

3/27/2024
With the 2024 season about to begin, Arden and Ben start with the latest news out of Blue Jays camp (00:39) before discussing the high stakes for the coming season (38:07) and whether the team has enough bats (53:02). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast 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 hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Duration:01:07:00

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Jays Tested With Injury Concerns

3/20/2024
First Danny Jansen, and now some high-leverage relievers. Ben and Arden discuss the injured Blue Jays (00:56) before wondering about the roster’s versatility (25:24) and taking stock of Joey Votto’s progress (39:16). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:03:54

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Votto Deal Adds Intrigue at Blue Jays Camp

3/11/2024
Well, Joey Votto’s a Blue Jay. Arden and Ben break down his minor-league deal (1:48) before discussing the readiness of the team’s top prospects (16:42) and the Jays’ rotation questions (30:18). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet and Bally Sports Sun. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliates.

Duration:00:56:56

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Is Rotation Trouble Brewing for the Jays?

3/6/2024
Two pitchers sidelined in one week. Arden and Ben share a few spring observations (3:54) before discussing the rotation questions bubbling up for the Blue Jays (12:25) and moving on to some more positive storylines (31:16). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: MLB.com and Sportsnet 590 The FAN. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:01:05:36