At The Letters

Sportsnet

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.

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20 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 1 hr 6 min
Deadline Queries
The countdown is on to the MLB trade deadline. Arden and Ben discuss some Blue Jays trade chips (5:33) before looking at a couple potential targets (33:42) and making some predictions (58:34). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Cristian Ceniti and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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.
July 27 · 58 min
The Alamo
A series loss against the Red Sox has inched the Blue Jays closer to a trade deadline sell-off few expected entering the season. Arden gets the low down from Ben on what he saw while with the team in Boston (4:57) before the two dive into Dylan Cease’s one-hitter (19:00) and the nuance of Toronto’s trade deadline strategy (27:26). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The view
July 22 · 1 hr 1 min
Reality’s Setting In
As Toronto’s postseason hopes grow increasingly remote, Arden and Ben take a big picture look at how the Blue Jays could approach the trade deadline as sellers (2:53). Then, after shouting out a five-star season from Toronto’s fanbase (31:53), they dive in on some ancillary factors that could impact the club’s behaviour as August 3 approaches (40:26). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@
July 19 · 36 min
Time to Win – Or Sell
A series loss to the White Sox raises the question: will the Blue Jays have to sell? Ben shares some thoughts on the weekend (1:37) then looks ahead at the Jays’ deadline decision (11:55). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Cristian Ceniti and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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
July 13 · 1 hr 12 min
Majoring in the Minors
After watching the Blue Jays limp into the all-star break with a series loss in San Diego, Arden looks at how a lack of attention to detail led to a pair of one-run losses (00:55). He also takes stock of where the team stands heading into a critical stretch (24:13), talks about the Blue Jays heading to the all-star game (42:51), and looks at who the club selected in MLB’s draft (50:11). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling. Contact us: at
July 9 · 47 min
Stuck in the Middle
Not all is well with the Blue Jays as the all-star break looms. But are they any worse off than the similarly middling competition around the American League? Arden and Ben ponder the club’s trade deadline strategy (2:42) before checking in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s struggles. (19:23) Then, a quick trip around the rotation with thoughts on Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage. (32:08) This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwe
July 9 · 29 min
Cease the Presses!
Arden and Ben had just recorded an episode and kicked up their feet to enjoy an afternoon of Blue Jays baseball… when Dylan Cease happened. So, the guys jumped back on the mics to offer their first blush reactions to Cease’s near no-hitter (00:39) and dig into the decisions John Schneider made — or didn’t make — as the game wore on (13:31). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca
July 3 · 56 min
Blue Jays Vibe Check
After a series win over the Mets, it’s time for a mid-season vibe check. Sam McKee joins Ben to talk about the state of the Jays (2:53), Bo Bichette’s return (24:36) and what happens next (33:32). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Cristian Ceniti and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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
June 29 · 1 hr 4 min
More Art Than Science
With the Blue Jays suffering their roughest stretch of the season, Arden and Ben convene for a big picture look at where things stand and the various potential pathways ahead over the five weeks between now and the trade deadline (00:44). Plus, thoughts on Sean Keys' sudden promotion (29:49) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s effort level during his extended slump (42:01). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us
June 22 · 53 min
Running Through Walls
After an unexpected off-day in Chicago, Ben and Arden reconvene to assess the state of the Blue Jays heading into an important, 10-game homestand. How is an extended slump by Toronto’s starters impacting the club’s overworked bullpen? (13:39) As Shane Bieber returns, which options open at the backend of the rotation? (21:16) Plus, what do we make of the Luis Urías acquisition, recent outfield deployments, and George Springer’s hot streak? (33:12) This podcast is produced and sound engineered by
June 19 · 29 min
Finally, a Sweep
Finally, some momentum. Ben shares his takeaways from the week (1:13) before offering some big-picture thoughts on the trade deadline (13:23) and sharing a few rapid-fire thoughts (20:29). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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.
June 16 · 53 min
In Need of a Big Swing
How can the Blue Jays score more runs? Arden and Ben start with a big-picture check-in (4:54) before turning their attention to the Jays' rotation (21:19) and a rule change idea from Ben (39:41). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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 In
June 12 · 34 min
Catching Strays
With the Yankees in town, the Blue Jays face some big questions. Arden and Ben discuss Brandon Valenzuela’s impact behind the plate (2:04) before wondering which Jays will be all-stars (22:47). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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.
June 11 · 36 min
Questions for the Rotation
A series loss to the Phillies raises questions about the rotation. Arden and Ben discuss Simeon Woods Richardson (5:27) and Max Scherzer (12:54) before turning to the top of the batting order (28:58). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Med
June 3 · 1 hr 18 min
3.1 Steps Forward, 2.9 Back
Ben and Arden are in Georgia as the Blue Jays tangle with MLB’s best team. They seize on some interesting Kevin Gausman comments to consider the Blue Jays' current trajectory (1:00), break down the factors behind which catcher will exit upon Alejandro Kirk’s impending return (24:52), and round up some pitching developments including what comes next for Jeff Hoffman (37:30). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Cristian Ceniti and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. C
May 28 · 49 min
Baltimore & Beyond
The roster moves keep coming for the Blue Jays. Charles McAdoo is up (1:43) and the pitching staff keeps evolving (10:33). Plus, Arden and Ben discuss some Jays outfielders (29:32). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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 aff
May 24 · 1 hr 2 min
Beaten and Bruised
The Blue Jays appear to have avoided serious injuries with two stars (1:16). Arden and Ben discuss some questions on the pitching side (8:45) as well as some positives on offence (28:13). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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 affi
May 19 · 53 min
Seeking Damage
Has Vlad Jr. found his swing? Arden and Ben discuss the first baseman’s plate approach (1:25) before weighing in on the pitching staff (12:11) and Lenyn Sosa’s future (38:24). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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.
May 15 · 1 hr 8 min
Simple, Not Easy
Ben joins Arden from Detroit to chat about where things stand for the Blue Jays coming off a 3-3 homestand (1:40), how the club will address its rotation vacancy in both the short- and long-term (6:58), and what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can do to get out of his slump (35:21). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the h
May 12 · 1 hr 20 min
Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
A quarter of the way through the season, Shi Davidi (00:29) and David Singh (40:28) join Ben for wide-ranging conversations on the state of the Blue Jays and where they go from here. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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.