Birds All Day

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathetlic.com/spinrate Drew and baseball analytics writer for The Athletic, Eno Sarris, have a substantive conversation about...substances...on MLB's new baseballs (5:00). Eno discerns new and existing substances used on balls and how they may influence the league's regulations. New substances are, ironically, coating new baseballs (16:00). How is the Major League's newest stitched marble impacting today's game? In what way can the league alter the ball to possibly engage more casual fans? Eno spits straight facts (depending on who you ask) about Vlad Jr., Bo, and Steven Matz (23:30). Plus, Eno talks about being away from ballparks and the latest beers to capture his attention and taste buds (33:00). Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Toronto's starting pitching was competent over the last week? Drew and Kaitlyn discuss if Steven Matz's and the Jays' respectable pitching performances can be sustained, or is this just an anomaly? Would there be a marked drop-off at third base if Vlad were to take over for Cavan Biggio? Heck, how about if Joe Panik or anyone else were to assume 3B duties? Kaitlyn considers whether Vlad would benefit from moving to third base, or if staying at first base is more fruitful. The duo draws into question Charlie Montoyo's recent late-game decision to call T. J. Zeuch in relief. Plus, a closer examination of the bullpen and, finally, an off day! Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Sportsnet baseball editor and one half of 'At the Letters' podcast Ben Nicholson-Smith joins Drew to gauge if the early-season Jays are good, bad, or just meh (3:00). Drew and Ben look at the parallels and contrasts between the 2015 AL Division-winning Blue Jays and this 2021 club. Where does Ben see Julian Merryweather and Drew Pearson fitting into the rotation if this team reaches the postseason? The duo discusses potential areas of improvement on the roster and toss out some trade suggestions. Before parting ways, Drew and Ben take time to admire Vald Jr.'s work through the team's first 12 games. Which facets of his game could use refining, and are Vlad Jr.'s and Miguel Cabrera's styles of play similar? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Ben on Twitter: @bnicholsonsmith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Rain, really? When was the last time a Jays' game was rained out? Drew and Kaitlyn stay sheltered from the drizzle and discuss Toronto's early-in-the-week offensive woes that parted to reveal a shining offensive spectacle (2:00). Kaitlyn goes down the laundry list of other weekday happenings, including Teoscar Hernandez being placed on the Covid-19 IL, George Springer's setback, and more. Can Josh Palacios parlay his historic big-league debut to a full-time position (15:00)? Whose job could he take? Is his hot hitting just a flash in the pan? Vlad continues to display his incredible potential (20:30). Were the Jays too quick to move Tanner Roark to the bullpen (25:00)? What are the pros and cons of the move? Plus, a look ahead to the Yankees. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Guess who's back, back again? Zubes is back, tell a fellow subscriber or non-subscriber who should subscribe to The Athletic (subliminal messaging at its finest). Yes! Drew welcomes Sportsfeld and Wrestling Brain's Andrew Zuber to the podcast to chat, well, all things Blue Jays! Checking the pulse of Jays nation, what is the expectation for this year's ball club, both realistic and fantastical (2:00)? Ross Atkins pocketed some wads of cash after agreeing to a contract extension with Toronto. Was it well earned, or does uneasiness outrank the optimism (12:00)? On Drew's pallet of dreams is a dense blob of Pascal Siakam drafts saved in Twitter and Cavan Biggio trade proposals (16:00). Should we wave the white flag on Biggio or cling to hope? Is it time to exchange prospects for win-now talent (21:30)? Waddabout Kirk behind the dish to start the season (27:30)? Before powering down, Zubes and Drew order up a Teoscar check-in (31:30). Foll

Join The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Monday musings!? Spin Rate side sessions? We're still workshopping names for the first of our now twice-weekly podcasts. (Maybe drop us a line on what you think these episodes should be named.) Regardless, Drew and Kaitlyn recap Toronto's Opening Day as well as their first season series win! What observations did the pair make? How about Julian Merryweather flashing brilliance (4:00), and did Kaitlyn predict Merryweather would be the Jays' closer last year?! The duo serve up their thoughts on the bullpen as a whole after three games (13:30). Slim Vlad flaunted his offensive firepower to the Yankees (22:30), but did his bat make up for some infield defensive mistakes (30:30)? What else stuck out to both Drew and Kaitlyn in the Blue Jays' first series of the year? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit; theathletic.com/spinrate It's here! It's finally here! Opening Day! Drew and Kaitlyn lay out a full spread of Blue Jays info and insight ahead of their season opener. The two begin with big picture expectations (1:30), including who do we have questions about, who will exceed expectations, and what's this team's ceiling, floor? The duo examines the composition of the 26-man roster (22:00). Who was a surprising omit from the OD roster? What's the latest on Springer, Ray, and the rest of the injured Jays? The Athletic's Yankees scribe Lindsey Adler hops on the pod to share the describe the energy of this year's squad (34:00). What question marks loom over the pinstripes? The trio look at DJ LeMahieu impact as well as Zack Britton's absence. Plus, hitting coach Marcus Thames influence on the club, and Toronto's attempt at emulating the Yanks. Lastly, Drew and Kaitlyn cover Kaitlyn's team predictions for 2021, and predict this year's outcome (1:00:00). Follow Drew on

Join The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate The Blue Jays are chirping the 'Bubblewrap Blues' as key figures to the club's 2021 aspirations are sidelined with injuries. Drew and Kaitlyn recap the spell of dings and bruises the Blue Birds experienced, including Kirby Yates season-ending elbow wound (2:30), and how his absence will affect the bullpen; George Springer's oblique strain and his prognosis (23:45), and Robbie Ray's baby-carrying, stair-falling pain (29:30). How concerning are these injuries? Will they bleed into the regular season? Kaitlyn discusses her 1-on-1 interview with Mark Shapiro and the conversations she had with the team's president, including the state of team vaccinations; optimism in a return to playing in Toronto, and Vlad Jr.'s impending free agency (41:30). Lastly, the prescient podcasting duo predicts Toronto's roster (59:00). Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Yes! More Spring Training storylines! Drew and Kaitlyn dish on what's going on behind the Jays' dish, is Alejandro Kirk or Reese McGuire the best option at catcher (3:00)? Do we believe in Rowdy Tellez (18:30)? What do his stats indicate? Is this Vlad's year (28:30)? Are we about to see all his skills come together in '21? His K-rate and BB-rate suggest he's headed towards better years. Lastly, the duo discuss the pitching staff's injury bug, and who's left in the open market to help fortify the rotation (43:00). Plus, prayers out to those affected by the Atlanta shootings and the AAPI community (1:08:30). Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew and Kaitlyn welcome senior baseball writer for The Athletic, Keith Law, to the show! Keith shares his approach to scouting and writing about prospects in the era of Covid (4:00). What's Keith's stance on evaluating info he receives from scouts, execs, etc. he has a sturdy, existing relationship with compared to ones' he doesn't (11:00)? Kaitlyn is given a lesson in Organization 101 by Keith (14:30--jury's still out if she learned anything). The gaggle of podcasters then turn their attention towards Jays' prospects, including Gabriel Moreno (19:00), Austin Martin (22:45), and Alejandro Kirk as well as the farm system as a whole (28:00). Next, Drew and Kaitlyn discuss the Mickey Callaway controversy and Ross Atkins' "failure" to recognize Callaway's behavior while both were a part of the Indians' organization (40:00). The two end the show looking at Spring Training headlines (53:00). Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Follow Keith Law on Twitter: @keithlaw Join T

Do you hear that? It's the sound of a world without Jays' radio broadcasts. Drew and Kaitlyn discuss Toronto eliminating its radio broadcasts and, instead, deciding to simulcast its television broadcast (3:00). Why is the organization doing this and how will this affect your listening experience? Is not having a radio broadcast detrimental to the team? The Athletic's Philadelphia Phillies scrivener Matt Gelb joins Drew and Kaitlyn to wax poetic about Dunedin, the golden capital of Toronto (20:30). Will homers be a regular occurance in TD Ballpark? Matt shares his experience in Florida at Phillies' Spring Training and describes the camp's atmosphere (28:00). The trio also dives into Philadelphia's off-season and its farm system before Kaitlyn serves a cold dish of Oldtakesexposed to Matt (33:00). Afterward, Kaitlyn colors Toronto's approach to player and pitching development and how it's impacted arms like Robbie Ray (52:30). Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Follow

A first in the short history of Spin Rate, a guest joins the show! Fan590 host and Toronto Blue Jays radio producer Josh Goldberg joins Drew and Kaitlyn to unravel one of the biggest questions in Spring Training, will Vladimir Guerrero Jr. play a majority of the time at first base? Why would he? What benefit does it provide to him and the team? Are there better options at 3B? How can the Jays balance placating their young core and putting themselves in a position to win games? Drew and Kaitlyn then discuss the trash can in the room; will George Springers' past affect his tenure in Toronto? Lastly, what in the world was Kevin Mather doing? Rundown: (7:30) Josh Goldberg joins the pod (15:30) Are there better options at 3B (36:15) Springers' past a problem? (53:00) Who will hit leadoff? (1:01:45) Kevin Mather-Mariners debacle Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Follow Josh Goldberg on Twitter: @JGoldberg12 Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.co

Welcome to The Athletic's Toronto Blue Jays podcast, Spin Rate, with Drew Fairservice and The Atheltic's Blue Jays scribe, Kaitlyn McGrath. First off, we're glad you're tuning in, secondly, before getting into the juicy stuff, Drew and Kaitlyn update us on what they've been doing since the end of the season, and address the direction of the show. OK, now for the saucy stuff. Geroge Springer, what does he bring to Toronto? How promising is the outfield, plus, the front office is demonstrating a willingness to spend money, so what's next? The two also converse about Marcus Semien's 2020 and his fit in the infield. Is 2B prime real estate for Semien, or is there enough concern for Bo Bichette at SS that it could force Semien into the gap? What about 3B? Kaitlyn reveals, arguably, her favorite signing of the offseason before the duo discusses Toronto's rotation. Kaitlyn humble brags about how smart she is which sets the table for her rotation grades. (Is a 'B' really that generous?) Let's talk about Robbie Ray an

Well, at least Blue Bird fans can look forward to next season...maybe. Having a nest full of topics to cover, Drew and Stoeten invite Sportsnet columnist, author, jovial whale neighbor and now podcast guest, Stephen Brunt, to today's show to unpack an eventful season in Toronto (and Major League Baseball in general -- 4:00). Will any of these wacky, frustrating, fun, insert adjective to describe what emotion it evokes in you, rules carry into future years? What can fans expect from Shapiro and the front office in relation to team building and the free agent market? What decisions need to be made in order to improve Toronto's defense? Is Bo Bichette big-league caliber shortstop?How will the team handle that position moving forward? Does the Blue Jays' style of play mesh with what we've seen this year? Oh, and don't miss out on the guys' whale talk.  Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Stoeten on Twitter: @AndrewStoeten Read Stephen's work here since he won't share his burner account's handle: https://ww

Burn the sage, it's time to cleanse Toronto of these demons of playoffs (and Rays) past. Drew and Stoeten forecast the Jays' series against Tampa Bay (:30). What's there really to fear from the No. 1 overall seed in the American League? Is it realistic the Blue Birds actually win this series? The stunning, though, probably expected development of Matt Shoemaker starting game one engenders further thinking, like, why is Shoemaker starting the opening game of the series (9:15)? What is the most effective way to manage the bullpen in his start? Could we see Nate Pearson in relief? The guys entertain and answer some of your Blue Jays-postseason questions (21:15), including: Will Charlie Montoyo's perceivable future with Toronto be affected by the outcome of this series; are our brains goop for the Brain Bug from Starship Troopers to eat, or are we right to question why Hyun-jin Ryu is starting game two (28:00); how can we expect defensive replacements to look this series (33:45) and how will this postseason impac

Merry Clinch-mas! What a wonderous and fulfilling feeling! Who better to celebrate Toronto's postseason berth with than Drew, Ol' Reliable and Sportsnet contributor, Tao of Stieb?! The talking Toronto triumvirate react to the Blue Jays...umm...not so much valiantly battling their way into extra baseball so much as falling into the 8th seed (4:00). Having secured a spot, and a week before butting heads with the AL's head honcho, is this a good time to allow guys to recover or get some low-stress reps (8:00)? Let's rosterbate. How will the blue birds build out their roster for, presumably, the Rays (16:00)? So lemme ask you this, do you consider this year a success (22:30)? What comes next, and wouldn't it feel good to embarrass the Rays (36:00)? Will Shapiro sharpen his proverbial cleaver and sever the puppet strings attached to Montoyo (41:30)? Is it time to let the coach coach? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Stoeten on Twitter: @AndrewStoeten Follow Tao of Stieb on Twitter...@TaoofStieb Join The

The Jays are a playoff team in the same way playoff teams are lifeless scarecrows constantly being pecked, soaked, beaten and being forced to watch actual good teams play baseball while trying to keep a smile. Drew, Stoeten and The Athletic's Blue Jays beat writer Kaitlyn McGrath pursue the truth...well...the relative truth; are the Blue Jays a playoff caliber team (:30)? What perspectives can these Jays journos present amid epic beatings? Derek Fisher...ugh (20:30). If MLB's expanded playoff format is here to stay, how do we feel about 16 teams vying for a pennant after 162 (28:00)? How does this adversely effect players? Magic number: 9. What potential adjustments do the trio perceive taking place ahead of Toronto's postseason push (43:30)?Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROFFollow Stoeten on Twitter: @AndrewStoetenFollow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlynmcgrath Join The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/birdsallday  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Standing far too close for his liking to a lone burning trashcan with the word "Yankees" crudely scrawled on it is New York Daily News sports columnist and co-host of Baseball Prospectus' "Five and Dive" podcast, Bradford Davis, who joins Drew and Ol'Reliable on today's show (4:15). So...umm...Brad...what's up with the Pinstripe's meltdown? After Brad astutely describes the Yankees' turmoil, the group chats about how anyone who's anyone in the AL postseason, won't want to touch New York with a 10-and-a-half-foot pole in a three-game series (10:00). Seeing as New York is two (one and a half?) horse town, the triumvirate talk Mets baseball, including their glowing weaknesses, Jacob deGrom, improved bullpen and more (13:30). Contiguous, but still Mets related, is Marcus Stroman. Where does his future lie and will the Mets try to retain him (23:45)? Lastly, Brad spoke with Charlie Montoyo regarding Roberto Clemente Day; the Hall of Famers' lasting impact and how minorities can help create a constructive dialogue

There's few more qualified than the seasoned, grizzled Blue Jays podcast vets, Drew and Ol' Reliable, to fully convey the pang felt from watching the Jays' suspect base running (5:15). Chiefly, why is the team's base running so...so...bafflingly disappointing, and though fans take issue with the blunders, a fraction of a fraction are repulsed by players trying to make plays (10:15). Jays enthusiasts, rightfully, take issue with these shortcomings, but why is it they must labor through these mistakes (17:15)? Drew and (And)rew unseal hand-written (virtual) letters from listeners (24:30)! And, amazingly, all include thoughtful questions about the Blue Jays. Go figure. There's potential this novel idea is used, habitually, throughout the sports media landscape. Spread the word! Anyways, Jonathan Villar an upgrade at third base over Travis Shaw? Should the team consider welcoming back Justin Smoak (29:30)? (Note: This isn't a pithy or facetious question.) Is it time we quit chastising the Jays for every little fl

On a day consumed by trades, it's easy to lose focus on what truly matters (:30). Please make sure we keep the dialogue open and flowing. Drew and Ol' Reliable talk about what they always talk about, your Toronto Blue Ja...wait...what...oh, sorry, I meant the playoff contenting Toronto Blue Jays (5:15). Is it conceivable that this club, with their recent additions in mind, will make the postseason? Before losing ourselves to delusions of grandeur, let's remain rooted in reality for a bit and discuss the club's series of trades; beginning with the Taijuan Walker acquisition (9:30). Could Jonathan Villar's change of scenery be to the boon of Toronto? Specifically, when it comes to aggressive base running (17:00)? Why did the Jays trade for Daniel Vogelbach (27:30)? Is there a chance the squad's "buy-low" mindset in bagging Ross Stripling and Robbie Ray will pay off (36:45)? The guys analyze GM Ross Atkins, team president Mark Shapiro and the Blue Jays front office's approach to an eventful trade deadline (49:45