Birds All Day

(In Owen Wilson voice) Wow! Jose Berrios and the Blue Jays starters looked like competent big league pitchers! Drew and Kailtyn dissect Toronto's road weekend series in Detroit, and they discuss how the starting rotation feathered its nest against a Tigers team going through growing pains. Berrios and Manoah looked solid, can they maintain their level of performance? In contrast to the Jays' reassuring pitching, the offense birthed more questions than answers. Is mental exhaustion a factor in the offense's languid play? Jerrod Dyson?! Why?! Kirk played DH, is that good or bad? The duo takes a trip to Optimism Street before closing shop. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kaitlyn is on a Thursday podcast?! Wuh? Yeah, believe it, yo. Drew and Kaitlyn wishes they could emit the same energy and swag as Robbie "Strikeout King" Ray did in Wednesday's start versus the White Sox. Fanning 14 batters on a playoff-bound team might earn you some extra dough if you're Robbie Ray. Right? The duo poses the question "should Toronto re-sign Robbie Ray or Marcus Semien" (assuming you can only re-sign one of the two)? Is Semien willing to remain at second base in the future? Why have timely hits eluded the Jays? Plus, which catcher should start after Danny Jansen returns from his rehab assignment? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it best to attribute Toronto's weekend series loss to Detroit to bad luck, awful juju, voodoo, or black magic? Why not all superstitious, preternatural phenomena? Drew and Kaitlyn, begrudgingly, breakdown the Blue Jays' forgettable three-game set versus the Tigers, and comb through the bad to find some good. Plus, acknowledging Miggy's 500th career home run, and looking at Toronto's upcoming schedule. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Among the recent string of rebuilding organizations, the White Sox and Blue Jays are two revamped clubs whose reassembling efforts are bearing fruit. Drew and Kevin Kaduk, founder of the Midway Minute, a Chicago sports newsletter, kibbitz about the Sox's reclamation project and how it's bearing results. How is Chicago's internal reset similar to Toronto's? The Cubs, who, optically, are at the starting line of their own rebuild, vary in what ways to the Sox and Jays' rebuilds? Plus, Kevin dispenses advice related to Toronto's development. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinKaduk Check out the Midway Minute: https://signup.midwayminute.win/ Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a disappointing weekend for Jays fans, and understandably so, however, there's a silver lining to all this stink; you get to listen to Drew and Kaitlyn rehash all the highs and lows! OK, well, maybe not so much silver as a nickeled lining...anyway. The voices of Spin Rate discuss the three-game series versus the Mariners, including Friday's game-winning walk and the inconsistent pitching that went along with it as well as George Springer's injury. What will the lineup look like with Springer sidelined? The Viceroy of Vibes, Teoscar Hernandez, has blossomed into an unexpected contributor for Toronto in recent years but does his potential and current production outweigh his shortcomings? Drew and Kaitlyn deliberate Hernandez's value. Lastly, a look ahead to this week's series. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fret not, Angels fans. If you're ready to abandon mediocrity for an up-and-coming, near-playoff-bound franchise, then this podcast is your keycard to the Blue Jays suit. In your room, Riley Breckenridge, drummer for Thrice and Angels loyalist who joins Drew today on the podcast, will undress your ears with his percussive drumming. The co-owner of Classic Grit, a baseball apparel store, shares his two cents on Anaheims' season and opines about the team's, seemingly, perpetual mediocrity. What can the Angels, and its fans, learn from the Blue Jays organization? At the intersection of Anaheim and Toronto, is Vlad Sr. What's it like having watched Sr., and now Jr., play? Lastly, Riley discusses Thrice's upcoming record, tour, and more! Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileybreck Check out Thrice's tour and record info!: https://thrice.net/ Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi

TAKE THAT, BOSTON! Toronto secures three-of-four-weekend meetings against the Red Sox to close the AL East gap. Drew and Kaitlyn extract the most important headlines from the Jays' series win, including George Springer's ascent to a celestial form and the club's excellent pitching. The duo then discusses Toronto's West coast get-away and run through the AL playoff race. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe it's obvious or maybe it's not, but it's worth asking after the trade deadline, are the Blue Jays in win-now mode? Drew welcomes Sportsnet's sagacious scrivener, Shi Davidi, to answer that question and more. Plus, is Vlad Jr. in line for a Tatis-esque contract this offseason? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Shi on Twitter: @ShiDavidi Read Shi's book!: http://bit.ly/2ODixFm Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 30th, 2021, was a day that will be chiseled into Blue Jays fans' DNA for years to come. After a two-year hiatus from Toronto, the birds finally returned to their nest and defended the Rogers Centre splendidly. Drew and Kaitlyn describe the emotions of last Friday to the best of their abilities and share sentiments from players, Jays' personnel, and fans alike. Did the Jays fork over too many high-profile prospects for Berrios? Drew and Kaitlyn deliberate Friday's magnitudinous trade, and take stock of Berrios' first outing as a TBJ. The pair also weigh the Jays' other transactions and gauge the performance of the revamped bullpen. Lastly, George Springer's first weekend at the Rogers Center; Alek Manoah's outings are breeding confidence in fans and teammates, and we Stan Santiago Espinal. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Jays netted a big fish! Welcome to Toronto, Jose Berrios! Yes, with the trade deadline closely looming, the Jays orchestrated a trade with Minnesota to nab the best available starting pitcher left in trade negotiations. The Athletic's Tim McMaster and Kaitlyn McGrath breakdown the specifics of the trade, and how Berrios will impact the Jays now, and in the future. Afterward, join Drew and Andrew Zuber, who recorded Thursday night before the Berrios trade, as they try to stave off emotional and mental breakdowns because the Yankees and Rays made, potential, division-altering moves. Plus, insight into the Brad Hand transaction; will there be a blockbuster trade in the off-season, and more! Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Zubes on Twitter: @the_Zubes Follow Tim on Twitter: @TimMMcMaster Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Check out Sportsfeld: https://linktr.ee/sportsfeld Save 33% on an annual subscription to The Athletic by visiting: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choice

This is the week that will determine whether the Blue Jays believe they are a postseason contender. Before Drew and Kaitlyn propose a bevy of trade hypotheticals, they recap Toronto's troubles in the Big Apple. Drew lays out his defense for the Jays' 'Process vs. Progress'. Although the club dropped a pair to the Mets, the reshuffled lineup was a spark of inspiration for Jays fans, including Drew. Should Vladdy eventually hit fourth? Ryan Borucki was exposed. How should the lefty be deployed moving forward? Alejandro Kirk's return was very Kirk-esque, a smoothie of blended hitting prowess and face-palming flubs. Kaitlyn then details her hypothetical Blue Jays trade proposal to the Rangers for Ian Kennedy, Joey Gallo and more. Plus, what would it cost to extend Marcus Semien? Is it time to consider trading him? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew welcomes Rob Wong, host of Blue Jays Baseball and Jays Talk on Sportsnet 590, to Spin Rate! The birds of a feather flock towards a recent development in the AL East, the Rays acquiring slugger, Nelson Cruz. What does this transaction portend for Toronto? Was Nelson a checkbox on the Jays' trade deadline wishlist? On this hypothetical wishlist, Joey Gallo is presumably a name underscored and circled for Ross Atkins and co. Should the Jays move Heaven and Earth for Gallo, or should they continue to wait and fortify their resources for the offseason when a 2022 playoff push might be more realistic? Is Vlad destined for the Triple Crown, and how valuable would Bo Bichette be as a trade piece? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Rob on Twitter: @WongSN590 Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of "Old Town Road", Vlad's first walk-up song at Rogers Centre, the Jays' were going to ride their offense 'til they couldn't no more in their series sweep of the Rangers. What was the biggest takeaway in the series? (Spoiler alert: Aside from the offense, pitching. Full stop. Pitching.) Drew and Kaitlyn confabulate about the Jays' second-half schedule and discuss whether the club needs another starting pitcher. On July 30th, for the first time since 2019, the Toronto Blue Jays will play in their home ballpark. Kaitlyn and Drew express their thoughts and feelings about Canada's long Covid-19 battle and the climb back to relative normalcy. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off the MLB All-Star Game, Drew and special guest Jeff Paternostro, lead prospect writer for Baseball Prospectus, discuss prospects with the potential to achieve an All-Star honor within the Blue Jays farm system, or just evaluate the young professionals in general. With the MLB Draft taking place within the last week, Drew and Jeff start there by analyzing Toronto's draft picks. Was drafting Gunnar Hoglund considered a steal? Could he develop into a middle-of-the-rotation starter? Ricky Tiedemann was scooped up by the Jays in the draft's third round. Tiedemann is one of many who was affected by the canceled high school sports season and 2020's condensed draft. What's his upside and is there extra confidence in him from Toronto's front office because he was able to overcome such odds last year? To wrap up draft chatter, what's the scouting report on Irv Carter, a prep arm out of Florida? What are Jeff's thoughts on Austin Martin and his Futures Game performance? Is the ex-Commodore on track with his gro

As an homage to the Barenaked Ladies, I'm learning more and more about Canadian pop culture every day, "it's been one week since" you've listened to Drew and Kaitlyn together and, much "like Snickers, guaranteed to satisfy". Ole Miss pitcher, Gunnar Hoglund, was drafted 19th overall by Toronto in the MLB First Year Player Draft. Kaitlyn shares what she knows about the Jays' latest prospect, and details how the front office and scouting department perceives him. What's will more likely happen to Toronto in the second half of the season; will they collapse, surge forth, or remain unchanged in the last portion of the year? Is it fathomable the Jays trade for Joey Gallo? How would he affect the Jays? Lastly, Drew determines if he'd trade Vlad Jr. for Shohei Ohtani. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kailtny on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the same battery-energy as Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra, Drew and Jonah Birenbaum pitch and catch Blue Jays musings with such panache, you'd think they were on the diamond. The guys bid farewell to Rowdy Tellez, who was traded to Milwaukee in exchange for pitcher Trevor Richards. Will Tellez's departure affect the team negatively? Is Richards' addition a boon to the bullpen? Finally, Drew can fully unleash his outer (yes, outer, not inner) Shohei Ohtani fanboy with Jonah around. Who will win the AL MVP, Shohei or Vlad? Trade machine time! Is Alejandro Kirk next out the door, or should Toronto start him as a valued offensive producer? Nate Pearson is a goner at this point, right? Could Toronto nab either Berrios or Castillos to fortify their rotation? What about Jose Ramirez? To close, the teammates flick through who's in the mix for the AL Wild Card and compare the Blue Jays to those clubs.  Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Jonah on Twitter: @birenball Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Vis

*In Steve Harwell singing voice* "Hey now, Jays got four All-Stars, get on the field now, and go play". Toronto smashed all other American League teams in All-Star participants with four honorees, including three starters, the most of any team regardless of conference. Drew and Kaitlyn discern whether if all that glitters is gold with Toronto's ASG members. Was it madness, enlightenment, a revelation(?) that caused Drew to compliment the Rays? The first-ever instance on Spin Rate where Drew praised Tampa Bay is followed by him and Kaitlyn breaking down the Jays' series win versus the aforementioned Florida club. The duo dish out team grades at the season's midway point, and discuss Robbie Ray's surprisingly good performance this year. Plus, will the Jays be back in Toronto before the end of the season? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch

Drew welcomes special guest Scott MacArthur, co-host of Lead Off on Sportsnet and FAN590, to the show! Drew and Scott react to Toronto acquiring Corey Dickerson and Adam Cimber from the Miami Marlins. How will each new Jay impact the club? What does this acquisition say about the current nucleus of the team? Is Toronto positioning themselves for a blockbuster trade? Scott and Drew dive into prospect trading discourse as Toronto looks to add other impact players. To close, is Major League Baseball, or any major sporting body for that fact, actively helping the LGBTQ+ community, or is 'rainbow washing' and bottom lines the real driver? Scott, who is openly gay, shares his thoughts on this dynamic. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Scott on Twitter: @ScottyMacThinks Join The Athletic for just $3.99! Visit: theatheltic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OK, we get it, it was Baltimore but, hey, wins are wins, right? Drew and Kaitlyn summarize Toronto's assault on the Orioles before comparing and contrasting the organizations' approaches to rebuilding. Which rebuild will yield superior results, granted, the Orioles are still in the midst of their rebuild but is their ceiling higher? The Jays of a feather briefly discuss All-Star projections before mulling over Vlad's decision to not participate in the Home Run Derby. What's the logic behind his choice? Should he reconsider? Drew and Kaitlyn weigh some hypothetical trade deals that could benefit Toronto, including one such deal involving the Rangers. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kailtny on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew welcomes the sagacious Tao of Stieb to Spin Rate to help inject belief in Toronto's player development into the arms of Jays fans. With a trove of talented prospects, should Toronto consider packaging some for a worthwhile talent? Digging deeper into this topic, is Toronto in a position to win now? Drew and the Tao conference about the merits and reasons why the 2021 Blue Jays should be a team looking to push its chips into the center of the table. Keeping with the personnel and trajectory of the team theme, the guys try to figure out the best way to deploy Drew Pearson and Thomas Hatch. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Tao of Stieb on Twitter: @TaoofStieb Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices