Blue Jays World Update

40 Episodes
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By: Thomas Hall

Recapping the week that was regarding Canada's baseball team.

BJWU Ep. 164: Overworked Blue Jays bullpen running out of gas
#164
Yesterday at 5:05 PM

This week's episode breaks down the bullpen's recent woes, how an unsustainable workload has caught up with the back end of the 'pen, several relievers being on pace to set new career highs in appearances and innings pitched, needing the offence to step up, where things are trending if things remain status quo and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 163: A powerless Blue Jays' offence; Trouble locating viable 5th starter
#163
04/24/2025

This week's episode breaks down a horrendous series in Houston, finishing a tough opening month schedule, the offence's power outage, a lack of production from the lineup's top three hitters, George Springer's sensational start, Max Scherzer's uncertain health status, what to do about the fifth starter's spot, Jake Bloss' potential major league timeline and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 162: Offence from unlikely sources; Blue Jays have a Max Scherzer problem
#162
04/03/2025

This week's episode recaps the Blue Jays' impressive start to the 2025 season, sweeping the Nationals, a surprising offensive surge, playing small ball, George Springer & Andrés Giménez leading the way, Bo Bichette being Bo Bichette, the need for more power (eventually), Max Scherzer's concerning injury status, Easton Lucas' remarkable debut, Yariel Rodríguez's evolving role, a tough upcoming road trip and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 161: Spring Training wrap-up as 2025 Opening Day nears
#161
03/20/2025

This week's episode includes thoughts on the final few days of spring training, projecting the club's Opening Day roster ahead of next week's season opener against the Orioles, injury updates on Max Scherzer, Erik Swanson, Zach Pop & Daulton Varsho, plus lots more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 160: Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk leading as Blue Jays' early spring standouts
#160
03/06/2025

This week's episode highlights which players have stood out in camp for the Blue Jays thus far, with Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk leading the way, as well as Kevin Gausman's impressive spring debut, Max Scherzer looking like Max Scherzer, the case for Bichette to hit leadoff, sifting through the early roster battles, examining Toronto's Spring Breakout roster and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 159: Vladdy, Blue Jays fail to reach contract extension
#159
02/20/2025

This week's episode explores the fallout from the unsuccessful contract negotiations between the Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., highlighting where things might have gone wrong, how we got here, the chances he could return in free agency, the fast-approaching cliff regarding the franchise's rapidly declining competitive window, where we go from here and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 158: Mad Max arrives; Blue Jays putting together suddenly strong off-season
#158
02/01/2025

This week's episode breaks down the Max Scherzer signing, what he brings to TOR's starting rotation, what it means for Yariel RodrĂ­guez's role, the risks of betting on a 40-year-old pitcher, the importance of managing his workload in 2025, bridging the gap to Alek Manoah, Jake Bloss & Ricky Tiedemann, shifting focus to adding another impact hitter such as Pete Alonso or Alex Bregman, extending Vladdy and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 157: Blue Jays' search for marquee FA shifts to Roki Sasaki; Signing Jeff Hoffman brings significant bullpen upgrade
#157
01/16/2025

This week's episode breaks down the Blue Jays' pursuit of Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki and being listed among the 3 finalists for his services, what signing Jeff Hoffman means for next season's bullpen, potential avenue to returning as a starting pitcher, what moves need to follow (i.e. offensive additions) and much more. Enjoy!



BJWU Ep. 156: 2024 Winter Meetings recap; Blue Jays acquire Andrés Giménez in 4-player trade
#156
12/12/2024

This week's episode recaps the 2024 Winter Meetings in Dallas, including Juan Soto's record-breaking contract with Mets, Max Fried and Garrett Crochet joining AL East, Corbin Burnes nearing a decision, Blue Jays trade Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell to Guardians for Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin, Yimi García returns one day after Jordan Romano joins Phillies, what comes next and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 155: Juan Soto meeting with Blue Jays; Surprising interest in SP market
#155
11/14/2024

This week's episode breaks down the latest Juan Soto rumours, the Blue Jays meeting first with his camp, the realities of pursuing this winter's biggest FA, the importance of forming contingency plans after Soto signs, Toronto's interest in the impact SP market, the value of adding a front-line SP, exploring a potential fit with Max Fried, Matt Hague's departure and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 154: Charting several paths foward during another pivotal Blue Jays off-season
#154
10/03/2024

This week's episode unpacks the end-of-season press conferences from Mark Shapiro & Ross Atkins, changes to the hitting department, similar payroll levels in 2025, arbitration projections, potential cost-saving solutions, how the front office should approach free agency & the trade market, best roster construction avenues heading into next season and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 153: Blue Jays can't escape injury surge amidst final stretch of 2024
#153
09/20/2024

This week's episode breaks down the latest string of Blue Jays injuries to Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, Will Wagner and Kevin Gausman, how Varsho's shoulder surgery could impact the 2025 roster, potential centre-field replacements -- both internal and external -- whether Wagner has done enough to earn a big-league role next season and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 152: Bowden Francis is taking the majors by storm; Vladdy enters batting title race
#152
09/06/2024

This week's episode highlights Bowden Francis' dominance since returning to the Blue Jays' starting rotation, winning AL Pitcher of the Month for August, how he can further evolve as a big-league pitcher, the 2025 starting rotation, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hunt towards a major-league batting title, his odds of catching Bobby Witt Jr., Addison Barger's recent power surge & improved plate discipline and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 151: Electrifying start to Will Wagner's MLB career; MVP-calibre Vladdy back in full swing
#151
08/16/2024

This week's episode breaks down Will Wagner's thrilling MLB debut, recording 5 hits in 2 games, Toronto's suddenly crowded infield, Vladdy putting the fear back in opposing pitchers & teams, a month-plus stretch that's positioned him among the sport's best hitters, his potential future beyond 2025 and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 150: 2024 Trade Deadline acts as Phase 1 of Blue Jays' roster retool
#150
08/02/2024

This week's episode breaks down the Blue Jays' sell-off ahead of the trade deadline, examining each move they made, notable prospects joining the organization, fleecing Houston on the Yusei Kikuchi trade, potential major-league timelines, what to expect from these final 2 months of the regular season, a look ahead to another pivotal off-season, what holes need to be filled, Trey Yesavage's signing and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 149: Blue Jays hope to ignite farm system with pitcher-heavy 2024 Draft
#149
07/18/2024

This week's episode recaps the Blue Jays' 21 selections in the 2024 Draft, how a heavy focus on pitching could impact the organization's prospect pipeline, scouting reports on the franchise's top 3 picks (Trey Yesavage, Khal Stephen & Johnny King), other notable selections beyond the top 5, the upcoming July 30 trade deadline and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 148: All eyes on Blue Jays' trade deadline plans
#148
07/04/2024

This week's episode highlights the Blue Jays' current situation three-plus weeks out from the July 30 trade deadline, how they can no longer avoid becoming sellers, Bo & Vladdy's futures, trading impending free agents like Yusei Kikuchi, Yimi GarcĂ­a and Danny Jansen, an eye towards a return to contention in 2025 and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 147: Cavan Biggio traded to Dodgers; Blue Jays remain in muddy middle of AL standings
#147
06/13/2024

This week's episode breaks down the Cavan Biggio trade, remembering his accession to the major leagues, the on-field woes that necessitated his departure, what the Blue Jays are getting in Braydon Fisher, a disappointing, albeit predictable, failed comeback in Milwaukee, a difficult road ahead that'll likely impact Toronto's trade deadline plans and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 146: It may soon be time to sell; Poor reaction to Blue Jays' underwhelming City Connect jerseys
#146
05/30/2024

This week's episode focuses on the Blue Jays' dwindling playoff hopes, sweeping the White Sox despite dropping 3 of 4 to the Tigers, a difficult road ahead in June, how the front office may pivot ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, reacting to the awful-looking City Connect jerseys and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 145: It's go time -- Struggling Blue Jays must start piling up wins to avoid becoming sellers in July
#145
05/16/2024

This week's episode features Toronto's missed opportunity to sweep Baltimore, dwindling playoff odds, a crucial upcoming stretch in the soft portion of the schedule, encouraging signs from Bo Bichette & Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Yusei Kikuchi's dominance, potential trade-deadline scenarios and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 144: A broken offence, where do Blue Jays go from here?
#144
05/02/2024

This week's episode includes a rough performance vs Kansas City, the Blue Jays' continued offensive struggles, how this year's woes have been even worse than last year's, bottom-of-the-majors RISP numbers, shuffling the lineup, potential triple-A call-ups, Kevin Kiermaier's impending return and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 143: Berrios, Kikuchi fronting a Blue Jays staff that's rounding into form
#143
04/18/2024

This week's episode includes a return to form from the Blue Jays' starting rotation, Berrios & Kikuchi's remarkable starts to 2024, how each has enjoyed success thus far, a missed opportunity against the Yankees, Daulton Varsho's recent power surge, the offence's continued RISP struggles, Orelvis Martinez's 11-game hitting streak, the Buffalo Boys and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 142: An inconsistent offence remains Blue Jays' biggest concern amidst early slide
#142
04/04/2024

This week's episode includes reactions to the Blue Jays' 3-4 start to the season, a horrendous series in Houston, the offence's lack of consistency after recording 1 hit across two of the three games against the Astros, needing more from the top 4 of the lineup, an encouraging start from Justin Turner, a shorthanded, albeit effective, bullpen, updates on Alek Manoah, Danny Jansen, Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson, and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 141: Santiago Espinal traded to Reds; Predicting Blue Jays' 2024 Opening Day roster
#141
03/21/2024

This week's episode breaks down the Santiago Espinal trade with the Cincinnati Reds, why it was time for both sides to move on, the roster & financial impacts, looking back upon his Blue Jays tenure and what they're receiving in minor-league pitcher Chris McElvain. Plus, it's also time to predict which 26 players will appear on the club's Opening Day roster. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 140: Injuries to Manoah, Gausman clouding Blue Jays' rotation plans; Clement's impressive showing amongst crowded infield
#140
03/07/2024

This week's episode includes injury updates on Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, Yariel Rodriguez, Ricky Tiedemann, Cavan Biggio and Danny Jansen (illness), Bowden Francis' bid to become TOR's No. 5 starter, new pitches, Yusei Kikuchi's new changeup grip, roster battles, Ernie Clement's impressive spring, the outfield dilemma and more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 139: Blue Jays have lots to prove with Spring Training 2024 underway
#139
02/22/2024

This week's episode highlights early-spring storylines, including Alek Manoah's road to redemption, which has him looking slimmer and donning a thick beard and long hair, Yariel Rodriguez's potential role and the importance of stretching him out as a starter, notable pitchers and hitters to monitor this spring, the glaring need for a right-handed outfielder, what Eduardo Escobar and Daniel Vogelbach's arrivals mean, saying goodbye to Hyun Jin Ryu and lots more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 138: Vladdy wins his arbitration hearing; Justin Turner signing breakdown Pt. 2
#138
02/08/2024

This week's episode includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s arbitration victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, why the third-party panel likely sided in his favour, how it impacts the rest of Major League Baseball, the potential fallout and where both sides go from here. Plus, a few additional thoughts on the Justin Turner signing and how this lineup can improve before next season. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 137: Justin Turner Emergency Pod
#137
01/31/2024

This week's episode, while shorter than originally planned, breaks down the Justin Turner signing and outlines how the 39-year-old DH could impact Toronto's roster next season. Plus, I also touch on the underwhelming side of the deal, which, on its own, may not bode well for the club's offensive ceiling in 2024. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 136: Playing the waiting game in FA; Arbitration settlement deadline
#136
01/11/2024

This week's episode includes topics on the current free-agent landscape for position players, how it's being impacted by agent Scott Boras, which players the Blue Jays could/should be targeting, waiting for someone to blink, which players avoided arbitration with the Blue Jays, how Danny Jansen's contract situation should've been handled and plenty more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 135: Blue Jays go full run prevention with Kiermaier & IKF signings
#135
12/29/2023

This week's episode breaks down the Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa signings, why TOR might've chosen to continue down the run prevention path, how they'll each impact next season's roster, what this means for Santiago Espinal, the front office's next moves, list of free-agent hitters still available and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 134: Shohei Ohtani fallout; Where do Blue Jays go from here?
#134
12/14/2023

This week's episode discusses Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract with the Dodgers, unique opt-outs, internet sleuthing, irresponsible reporting, being kept in the dark, Juan Soto to the Yankees (because that also happened), a lack of Plan B options, the risks surrounding Cody Bellinger, exploring the trade market, taking advantage of cost-cutting teams and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 133: What moves could Blue Jays make at the 2023 Winter Meetings?
#133
11/30/2023

This week's episode centres around next week's Winter Meetings, Shohei Ohtani (because of course it does), Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, Matt Chapman, the Bo Bichette & Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rumours, TV contracts, Milwaukee looking to shed payroll, Willy Adames, Christian Yelich, Sportsnet cutting Ben Wagner and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 132: Matt Chapman meets with potential suitors as Blue Jays gather info at GM Meetings
#132
11/09/2023

This week's episode focuses on Matt Chapman's free agency, Scott Boras' puns, contract comparables, a thin 3B market, Jeimer Candelario, Justin Turner, Hyun Jin Ryu returning to MLB in 2024, Mitch White rejoining the 40-man roster, the Brendon Little acquisition and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 131: Looking ahead to what should be another eventful Blue Jays off-season
#131
10/26/2023

This week's episode explores the Blue Jays' upcoming free agents, the odds of anyone returning from that class, spending limits, payroll projections, potential free-agent & trade targets, internal roster competition, finding a balance between offence & defence and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 130: Another early exit to another disappointing Blue Jays' season
#130
10/06/2023

This episode breaks down the Blue Jays' 2-0 wild-card series loss to the Minnesota Twins, Jose Berrios' early hook, John Schneider's future, where things stand throughout the organization, a wide-sweeping reflection, the offence's continued power outage, importance of home runs in the playoffs, impending free agents, how to improved a flawed roster and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 129: Blue Jays-Twins wild-card preview
#129
10/03/2023

This episode focuses on the best-of-three wild-card series between the Blue Jays & Twins, Kevin Gausman's shaky history versus Minnesota, Pablo Lopez's stellar 2023 season, how these two clubs stack up on paper, the importance of Génesis Cabrera & Tim Mayza, Cam Eden and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 128: One final push to guarantee playoff berth
#128
09/21/2023

This week's episode includes the Blue Jays' straight path to clinching a post-season spot, how the 7 games remaining between Texas & Seattle will benefit Toronto, remaining strength of schedules, history at Tropicana Field, a lack of in-game offensive adjustments, the latest chapter in the Alek Manoah saga and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 127: It's go time as Blue Jays begin stretch run
#127
09/01/2023

This week's episode focuses on the Blue Jays squandering winnable games versus Cleveland & Washington, a critical 9-game stretch against sub-.500 competition, needing to surge past the Rangers (again), Spencer Horwitz & Chad Green becoming September call-ups, the AL Wild Card picture, playoff odds and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 126: As key bodies return from IL, Blue Jays hoping to gain steam
#126
08/17/2023

This week's episode includes injury updates on Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier, Trevor Richards and Chad Green, a look at Cavan Biggio & Daulton Varsho's turnarounds, George Springer's red-hot August, swing decisions - or a lack thereof - and much more. Enjoy!


BJWU Ep. 125: Blue Jays fortify bullpen, but fail to land impact bat amidst underwhelming trade deadline
#125
08/04/2023

This week's episode breaks down the Blue Jays' trade deadline acquisitions, including Génesis Cabrera, Jordan Hicks and Paul DeJong. And a few they didn't make. It also explores the front office's inability to acquire a power-hitting right-handed bat in a depleted market. Plus, a discussion on whether it's call-up time for one of Davis Schneider, Addison Barger or Spencer Horwitz. Enjoy!