Birds All Day

We're back! (And glad to be back at that!) Drew and Kaitlyn return in a catch-up edition of Spin Rate, where the duo inspect how the lockout may be affecting Toronto's season. After judging how the labor strike is impacting player development, Dunedin's finances, and more, the pair list the Jays' post-lockout priorities. Which free agent could assume third base duties? Who will fill the void left behind by Marcus Semien? How important is it that Toronto continues to bolster its bullpen? Before wrapping up, Juan Soto reportedly turned down a $300M+ contract from the Nationals. Are Soto and Vlad Jr.'s skills comparable, if so, does that mean Vlad stands to earn that type of money? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Subscribe to The Athletic for $1/month for 6 months by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey all, welcome back to a special edition of Spin Rate! Kaitlyn and The Athletic's senior writer Stephen Nesbitt answer subscriber questions about the Blue Jays in The Athletic app. Who will be Toronto's top FA target once the lockout ends? What's the plan for Nate Pearson? And even Drew joins the Q&A to ask about the best method of building the club into a contender...though we certainly wish he would have shared news about Pancakes, his adorable pup. Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Follow Stephen on Twitter: @stephenjnesbitt Get more adorable pup content by following Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn, the Blue Jays, and Spin Rate in The Athletic app to join us the next time we host a live Q&A! Save 33% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News, contract details, rumors, and much more MLB free agency discourse is being pureed together in a blender of insanity! Drew and Kaitlyn cut through the cacophony and pour out their thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays' off-season moves. Kevin Gausman is now a Blue Jay! How will his talents lend themselves to the club, and why Gausman and not Robbie Ray, who is now headed to the Pacific Northwest? Who will be the team's Opening Day starter? Plus, Yimi Garcia inks a deal with Toronto to bolster its pen. Drew and Kaitlyn also dive into Marcus Semien and Steven Matz's departures, among others. Plus, how will Toronto go about the remainder of free agency? Are they big spenders still, or should we expect them to kick the bargain bin? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 33% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Thanksgiving, Drew and Kaitlyn share what they are thankful for, which is, of course, down ballots. Yes! Spin Rate feasts on down ballots, as we review the MLB award season and which Jays earned deserved accolades. Before plunging into which Jays won honors, the duo discuss Jose Berrios' press conference, and what his signing foretells about the Jays' future. Robbie Ray brought home the AL Cy Young award. Was his near-unanimous selection expected, and can he duplicate his 2021 performance next year (considering he stays with Toronto)? Vlad Jr. and Marcus Semien boasted incredible performances in 2021. Performances that in any other year would have earned them MVP and runner-up honors, respectively; however, their breakout play coincided with Shohei Ohtani's showstopping, once-in-a-century unanimous MVP run. Will we ever see another jaw-dropping season, like 2021, from Vlad? Drew and Kaitlyn confab about Alek Manoha and Charlie Montoyo earning votes for Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year, res

The Blue Jays struck the first major deal of the league's offseason, locking down Jose Berrios for seven years. Drew and Kaitlyn react to Toronto and its midseason trade deadline acquisition's $131 million deal. What does this move signal about the team's offseason plans as a whole? Was Toronto frivolous in their spending, and will this pact affect Robbie Ray's and/or Marcus Semien's chances at re-signing? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 33% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Spin Rate goes on vacation, Drew sits down with sagacious prospect reporter for Baseball America, Ben Badler, for a comprehensive discussion about the Blue Jays' farm system. Ben shares his evaluation of Gabriel Moreno, Leo Jiminez, and other up-and-coming Jays. The duo also converses about the Arizona League and what to expect. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Ben on Twitter: @BenBadler Save 33% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blue Jays' off-season rolls on and while there's little new news about the team, there is prime news about Minor League Baseball. Major League Baseball is mandating MiLB clubs provide housing for their players, a notable leap for improving working conditions for prospects. Drew and Kailtyn outline the specifics of order and discuss its impact on players. Which teams are in the running for Robbie Ray? The joint Jays dabsters shares their thoughts on Ray's market, and who could be competing with Toronto for his services. Also, Drew and Kaitlyn predict Marcus Stroman's off-season and figure how it will be similar and different from Ray's. Plus, what can the Jays learn from the Red Sox's postseason run? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew is joined by Jonah Birenbaum, baseball hurler extraordinaire, to cogitate over the Blue Jays' off-season to-dos. Contractually, we can't publish a podcast without deliberating who should get the bag, Marcus Semien or Robbie Ray...and why is it obviously Marcus Semien? Drew and Jonah pitch some names back and forth for who could step into a starting pitching role for Toronto next season. What should the Jays brain trust do with Nate Pearson, and what will be the bullpen's complexion in '22? The guys engage in a jaunty convo about contract extensions for position players that includes a $300M+ question about retaining Vlad Jr. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Jonah on Twitter: @birenball Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew and Kaitlyn check the tread on your tires and oil level before taking off in this Blue Jays off-season primer vehicle. The podcasting pair bring attention to key dates this off-season; one such date being MLB Free Agency and the "quiet period", where the most recent team a free agent suited up for has exclusive negotiating rights with that player. Could Toronto ink Steven Matz before he hits the open market? Speaking of markets, what does Matz's look like? The duo's conversation keeps with starters, as Robbie Ray is a free agent, too. Will the AL Cy Young candidate stay in Toronto? Drew and Kaitlyn also kibbitz about other Jays who could be retained, including Corey Dickerson. To wrap, Spin Rate names its winners for MLB awards. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew and Kaitlyn put to rest the 2021 Blue Jays season by recounting the run-up to the team's elimination on Sunday. The duo also take a glance back at the Wild Card race, and how Toronto was one win away from a postseason berth. The (Blue) birds of a feather cogitate if next year's squad will be better or worse than this season's team. Plus, the podcasting pair share their thoughts on the season as a whole. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew and Dan Shulman, [though he needs no introduction] play-by-play extraordinaire for Sportsnet and ESPN, cut through the lingering gloom of a postseason-less Blue Jays season to find the core of optimism for the future underneath. The two wax about if this was a successful season for the Jays; top off-season priorities; Robbie Rays and Marcus Semien's future with the organization, and more! Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew and Mike Axisa, MLB writer for CBS, breakdown Thursday's pendulum-swinging series finale between the Blue Jays and Yankees. To prepare you for Thursday's game, the guys discuss New Yorks' hot streak entering the Toronto series as well as the Pinstripes' pitching game plan. Plus, has Joey Gallo been an objective disappointment for New York, and, lastly, the guys contemplate the weightiest question to date, who will be in the postseason? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeaxisa Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IT'S BEAT THE YANKEES WEEK. The season has, more or less, boiled down to this week for Toronto. Drew and Kaitlyn reflect on the Blue Jays-Twins series before discussing the Wild Card race and the Yankees' sweep of Boston. What will it take to stymie New York's momentum if you're Toronto? Why in the world is Hyun-Jin Ryu scheduled to pitch the series' premiere? And we share our will-the-Blue-Jays-make-the-playoff predictions. Plus, Vlad Sr/Jr. talk! Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlynmcgrath Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's been the secret ingredient in Robbie Ray's Cy Young-contending season? Are players that buy into a team's vision just as valuable as that one-in-a-million type of athlete? Former big-league executive, national writer for FanGraphs, and host of the 'Chin Music' podcast Kevin Goldstein joins Drew in answering these questions. Are there more thoughtful questions that the guys entertain, you ask? Yes! How about...Was Teoscar's baking soda and vinegar-like offensive eruption expected; what's Bo's rare, unteachable trait, and is Vlad's MVP-caliber season just a flash in the pan?  Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kevin on Twitter: @Kevin_Goldstein Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good vibes radiated from Rogers Centre in the Blue Jays-Minnesota series, as Josh Donaldson returned to Toronto for the first time since being traded. Drew and Kaitlyn project their fondness of the sentimental scene in Rogers as well as chat about Donaldson swapping jerseys with Vlad. Is concern for Hyun-Jin Ryu at an all-time high? If his funk carries into the postseason, could the Jays decide to shut him down? The very real Marcoscar Semanchette stirs Drew's thoughts until mostly praise rises to the top. The duo debate Vlad Jr.'s MVP candidacy, and what's going to happen with the Yankees? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew welcomes special guest Ben Wagner, radio voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, to Spin Rate! Ben shares his thoughts about the Jays from a booth perspective and discusses how he anticipates the playoff race unfolding. Alek Manoah has impressed many fans, including Ben. What makes Manoah so good, and which Blue Jay has validated Ben's high expectations? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Ben on Twitter: @benwag247 Save 50% on a subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Spin Rate, where Drew Fairservice and Kaitlyn McGrath discuss your WILD CARD LEADING BLUE JAYS(!) twice-weekly on The Athletic. Regardless of the caliber of opponent, the Jays still plucked three of four games away from the Orioles, and Drew and Kaitlyn take time to dissect the series. You don't want smoke from Robbie Ray. Jansen and Gurriel have the NBA 2K Hall of Fame Microwave Badge equipped. Can Vlad reach 50 homers? Should we be concerned for Ryu? A Nate Pearson and Julian Merryweather bullpen is an atomic wrecking ball. So, listen, Jays, why don't you just go out and win the divisional already? Is the upcoming Rays series the 'prove it' stretch? Plus, scoreboard watching! Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 50% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With less than 25 games remaining in the regular season, the Blue Jays have some questions to answer. To help unravel those riddles, Drew welcomes Sportsnet writer and co-host of the 'At the Letters' podcast Arden Zwelling to Spin Rate! What's Marcus Semien's future in Toronto? Is there a ballpark figure for Semien's continued services up north? Steven Matz is quietly piecing together a sturdy 2021 performance. Has he changed anything to help his game? Will he wear blue again next season? Drew and Arden also discuss if the Blue Jays are carrying a 'playoff or bust' mentality. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Arden on Twitter: @ArdenZwelling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We back! The Jays, too, are back, this time to their winning ways. Toronto has strung together five consecutive wins while posting impressive offensive numbers. Drew and Kaitlyn dish out their thoughts on the Jays' winning ways, but that's merely the appetizer! The antipasto is followed up by a hearty appreciation-post entree, dedicated to Marcus Semien, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Robbie Ray, and more! A Robbie Ray-Cy Young palate cleanser breaks up the final two plates. Presented last is a sweet concoction: Half candied optimism for a Wild Card push and half bitter reality that there's a long climb still ahead of the team. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew welcomes The Athletics curator of Reds content, and aficionado of Canadian culture, C. Trent Rosecrans to chat about Cincinnati's playoff push. In what ways are the Jays and Reds similar? Will either, or both, reach the postseason? Joey Votto, Canada's wonderboy, continues to dazzle at 37 years young. Equally as timeless as Votto is C. Trent's stories about the Reds' first baseman and his inimitable personality. C. Trent's knowledge of Canadian baseball players is put to the test in a quiz created by Kailtyn. How will C. Trent fair?! Tune in to find out! Check out the Great American Dream podcast: https://apple.co/3BBI98R Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow C. Trent on Twitter: @ctrent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices