Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 20.2

We're back for the 2nd time in two days.  This time we're a little more positive, because we arent talking about the current team, and instead dipping our toes back into the prospect waters in yet another interview with BJP favourite Zach Mortimer.

We talk about a whole bunch of guys, many who are probably a little more under the radar than others we've talked about with Zach in the past.  Also, Zach is plenty ranty in this episode, picking up where Chris & I left off yesterday.

Download - Episode 20.2

Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 20

Its depression week on the show.  This team has finally broken us.

I also talked to Brad Cook from Out of the Park baseball about their fantastic product.

Download - Episode 20

Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 19

On this week's podcast we discuss Todd Redmond's surprising recent performance, Colby Rasmus' emergence as an elite level centerfielder, and Adam Lind turning back into a pumpkin.  We also talk the numerous pitchers coming back on rehab.  Finally we have a thrilling interview with "The Garfoose" himself, Sportsnet analyst Dirk Hayhurst

0:00 to 0:15 - Injury//Rehab Updates
0:15 to 0:20 - Todd Redmond
0:20 to 0:25 - Adam Lind
0:25 to 0:32 - Colby Rasmus
0:33 to 1:01 - Dirk Hayhurst Interview
1:02 to 1:05 - Weekly Preview

Download - Episode 19

Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 18

After a triple shot of podcasts last week, we're back to our standard one show this week. 

This week we talk about Brett Lawrie moving back to third base, then spend the majority of the episode looking ahead to the Jays options going into the trading deadline, and then we inviteBaseball Prospectus's Chris King to the show to discuss Jays prospects in Florida, on both their Dunedin & complex league teams.

Music this week is by the great Dire Straits, helmed by one of the most underrated guitarists of all time in Mark Knopfler.

Outline

0:02 to 0:10 - Brett Lawrie moving back to third base
0:10 to 0:13 - R.A. Dickey & Mark Buehrle's "overrated" comments
0:14 to 0:19 - Roster moves
0:19 to 0:51 - Trade Deadline preview
0:52 to 1:11 - Interview with BP's Chris King
1:11 to 1:14 - Weekly Preview



 Download - Episode 18

Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 17.3

In our 3rd episode of the week, we settle back into our old formula, and do a more conventional show.

In the main section Chris & I talk about Brett Lawrie's transition to 3rd base, Steve Delbar in the All-Star game, AJ Jimenez in the Futures Game, & Roberto Osuna's continuing injury problems.  Then we interview podcast favourite Zach Mortimer about the Phil Bickford situation.  When we come back from the interview, I wax poetic about the new FX show "The Bridge", and finally we do our weekly preview.  Its great stuff as always.

0:01 to 0:19 - Brett Lawrie to 2nd base
0:19 to 0:21 - Steve Delabar in the All-Star Game
0:22 to 0:27 - AJ Jimenez in the Futures Game
0:27 to 0:31 - Roberto Osuna's Injury issues
0:31 to 1:17 - Zach Mortimer Interview
1:18 to 1:21 - Ewan talks about The Bridge
1:21 to 1:28 - Weekly Preview

Finishing up our Wrassling themed music this week you'll hear the "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase's music coming in (in honour of what Phil Bickford will never be), coming out of the Zach Mortimer interview you'll hear "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's theme due to Rowdy Tellez, and closing out Europe's Final Countdown, which was current WWE star Daniel Bryan's theme on the independent circuit.

The only non-wrestling music we used, was Red Rider's "Big League", which is going to be Zach Mortimer's theme song going forward.

Next week we'll be looking ahead to the Trading Deadline.  Join us wont you?



Download - Episode 17.3

Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 17.2 - Hitter Grades & Ben Lindbergh

Continuing our Mid-Season specials, we move today onto our mid-season hitter grades.

After Chris and I are finished breaking down the 14 hitters we talk about, we conduct a very fascinating interview with Baseball Prospectus' Ben Lindbergh about catcher framing, and the improvements JP Arencibia has made in that realm.

Continuing our musical theme of the week, we use more pro wrestling theme music, this time using Ric Flair, Mr. Perfect, Hulk Hogan & Cactus Jack's theme songs.  The reason for this will be explained tomorrow, when we do our "normal" show.  Keep an eye open for that Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Episode 17.2 - Download

During our interview with Mr. Lindbergh we refer to a few articles which you may want to check out for your own enlightenment.

1 - An article from Mop Up Duty, that lists JP Arencibia as the 4th best framer in baseball this season.  As we mention the methodolgy in this study is very flawed, but worth taking a look at regardless.

http://mopupduty.com/statistically-speaking-j-p-arencibia-one-of-the-best-framing-catchers-in-mlb-061113/

2 - An article from Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs that lists JP Arencibia as the 4th most improved.  This one is more believable, and the methodology seems stronger.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/year-to-year-changes-in-framing/

3 - Lastly, Ben mentions many times in the interview a piece that he published at Grantland about framing earlier this year.  Its a very long piece, but if you're interested in the finer points of this new element we are now able to analyse this is the perfect primer.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9275754/studying-art-pitch-framing-catchers-such-francisco-cervelli-chris-stewart-jose-molina-others

Episode 17.1 - Mid-Season Pitcher Grades

So as we head into the All-Star Break, us at the Blue Jays Plus Podcast, have decided to take a look back at the season to date.  The way we decided to do this, is to grade each of the players who have made an impact on the team thus far.

This means since we are going through each of the players, that means we've needed to break up the show into three parts.

In part 1, we hang grades on all the pitchers, and then Chris sits down with Shoulder & Elbow expert Eric Cressey.

Tomorrow we'll be back with an interview with Ben Lindbergh, and grades for the hitters.

Wednesday we'll be back with our "Normal" show, with BJP favourite Zach Mortimer talking about the Phil Bickford situation.

If you're interested in more from Eric, check out his website (http://www.ericcressey.com/)

Also, all the music for this week (on all 3 episodes) are professional wrestling themes.  The reason for this will become clear when we talk to Zach Mortimer on Wednesday.

Episode 17.1 - Download


Outline
0:00 to 0:34 - Pitching Grades
0:34 to 1:04 - Eric Cressey Interview

Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 16

In this week's episode we talk to Ben Badler of Baseball America about the Jays actions in the international signing period.  Then in the main segment we discuss JP Arencibia's idiotic comments, 3 1/2 Blue Jays making the All-Star team, draft pick Clinton Hollon's UCL injury, Roster Moves and the Weekly Preview.

Music this week is from Rush's seminal live album Exit...Stage Left, featuring going out with Neal Peart's epic 2 minute long drum solo.

Outline
0:01 to 0:23 - JP Arencibia's comments
0:23 to 0:33 - Roster moves (Chien-Ming Wang's demotion//9 man bullpen)
0:34 to 0:38 - Clinton Hollon injured!!!
0:38 to 0:46 - All-Star talk
0:47 to 1:16 - Ben Badler interview
1:16 to 1:26 - Weekly Preview



Download Episode 16

Blue Jays Plus Podcast - Episode 15.2

Its a day late, but since we gave you over an hour worth of a quality interview I think we can be excused.

Since we broke the interview off, this episode just features Chris and I talking about...

- the roster moves of the week, featuring us both being confused by many moves.
- an injury update on Sergio Santos, Adam Lind, & Brett Lawrie
- breakdown of the Jays struggles within division
- discussion of the Jays Canada Day uniforms
- analysis of this year's entries into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (Tim Raines, Tom Cheek, Rob Ducey, George Bell & Nat Bailey)
- and finally our look ahead to the upcoming week.

Music this week
Coming in is the intro to "A Slanted Tone" from the fantastic Canadian hardcore band Fucked Up.  In my opinion their album David Comes Alive from 2011, is in my opinion the greatest album that has been put out this decade.  They manage to blend not only the harsh vocal style of frontman Damien Abraham, but also intricate and wide ranging musicality, which you rarely see in the genre.  I couldn't recommend them enough, even if you dont like punk music (like I dont), they aren't really a punk band, just a great one.

Going out I was planning on using another Fucked Up song, but couldn't choose, so I decided to go with "Top of the World" by west coast rap group The Rascalz, featuring Jamaican legend Barrington Levy.  Just an outstanding track.

Hope you enjoy it.

(Right Click to Download)

Episode 15.1

On this week's show we planned to have Baseball Prospectus's Zach Mortimer back for about a half hour to talk about their preseason top 50 prospect lists.  However we wound up talking to Zach for over an hour.  Since I know that the length of the show has been a selling point for some of our listeners, I decided rather than tack on our usual stuff on top of that, I would divide it into two parts.

Today is part 1, which is just the interview with Zach, hopefully Chris and I will be able to record the rest of the show tonight, or tomorrow, and get that out as well.

In the interview, we discuss...

- The two Jays prospects ranked in the top 50 list, (Aaron Sanchez, & Roberto Osuna)
- The four main prospects that the Jays dealt away in the summer (Noah Syndergaard, Jake Marisnick, Travis d'Arnaud, & Justin Nicolino)
- The two best Canadian prospects currently in the minors (Jameson Taillon & James Paxton)
- The only Jays prospect on the Futures Game roster (AJ Jimenez)
- A prospect roundup on some Jays guys (Franklin Baretto, Anthony Gose & Kevin Pillar
&
- Finally I run a theory that Kiley McDaniel has posited on his podcast (Linked below) called the "Black Swan Theory" to Zach.

Our music this week, is entirely Canadian (in honour of Canada Day)
Intro - Thompson Girl by the Tragically Hip
Into Zach - Big League by Red Rider
Outro - Suddenly by The Sheepdogs

Download (Right Click Link)
Episode 15 - Right Click to Download


Kiley McDaniel's Marginal Prospects episode where he discusses "the Black Swan Theory" -  http://sbb.scout.com/2/1286674.html

BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 14: All Stars, Bickford, and PED's

Another great show this week, and it will also be my last for a while. Ewan and Chris interviewed Phil Bickford's coach(Tim Penprase), we talked about the Blue Jays potential All-Stars, Ewan ranted about PED's, and we covered a lot more. The transcript of the Penprase interviewed should be posted soon. Enjoy.








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Outline
0:00-16:00: Who will be sent down to make room for Reyes?
16:01-25:00: All Star Chances
25:01-40:45:Injuries Updates
40:46-48:15: Jamie Evans Signing
48:16-52:25: Bullpen Talk
52:26-1:04:25: PED's
1:04:26-1:16:35: Tim Penprase Interview
1:16:36-End: Week Ahead

BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 13: Zach Mortimer on Prospects and the Draft

We had a couple technical difficulties this week, as first, Ewan forgot to press record when he interviewed Eno Sarris of FanGraphs, and for some reason, part 1 of the podcast got messed up, and our voices are intertwined instead of one after another...I explain at the beginning of the episode. BUT, we still had a fantastic interview with Zach Mortimer, a scout for Baseball Prospectus, and we talked about the possibility of Casey Janssen being traded.  For now on I'm going to post an outline of the show so you can skip to parts you would like to listen to.

Stream


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Outline
@ZachMort Interview:0:00-26:32
Casey Janssen Talk/Week Ahead/ Housekeeping:26:33-39:31

BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 12: Post Draft Things, Mechanics, BioGenesis

I sat this week out, so Ewan and Chris did the show. They interviewed Jason Wojciechowski to talk about the BioGenesis steroid scandal, specifically Melky Cabrera. Chris also weighs in with some fantastic mechanics talk about the draft, amongst other things. Oh,and there were lots of roster moves this week...in case you forgot that that happens every week with this ball club. Enjoy!






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BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 11: MLB Draft...AND OTHER THINGS!!!

This week on our show we had the pleasure of being joined by Chris Sherwin(@Sherlander6) to co-host the podcast. We are also joined by Jeremy Nygaard for a brief 20 minute segment on the upcoming major league baseball draft, in which he gives scouting reports and what not on the top 10-11 guys in this year's draft, and weighs in on who he thinks the Jays might add at the number 10 spot. I also complain about how the Jays suck and it isn't going to get any better, while Ewan rants about sportsnet and Gregg Zaun(again), and Chris enlightens us all with some stuff about the Jays developmental success issues. We'll be back next week, when I assume we will talk about what happened at the draft. Enjoy!

Stream

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BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 10: Nolin, Gibbons, & an Interview with @CraigCalcaterra

It was a pretty eventful weekend in Blue Jays land as we saw a major league debut go sour, John Gibbons almost losing a game with his managing, and Munenori Kawasaki win a game(and give a fantastic interview afterwards). On this episode, our 10th, we talk about Sean Nolin's less than 2 innings of fame, John Gibbons and his managerial tactics, lineup construction, and we interview Craig Calcaterra of HardBallTalk to talk Braves. We hope you've enjoyed our first 10 episodes. As always, leave your comments below so we can continue improving. Thanks for listening!

Stream


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BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 9: Injuries, BioMechanics, and an Interview with Will Carroll

After missing 1 week, we're back. This time, we talk about the Blue Jays handling of Romero as we bash the Jays roster management once again, we have a nice conversation with Will Carroll (A.K.A The Injury Expert) about mechanics and injuries, we discuss Jim Negrych, and more!!! Want to know what the success rate of rest/rehab over Tommy John surgery is? Listen to the show, and you'll find out.  Hope you enjoy, and please let us know what you think of it by leaving a comment. We are always trying to improve.

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BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 8: Featuring an Interview with Wendy Thurm(@hangingsliders)

So we didn't get around to recording the podcast this week for multiple reasons. I was sick this past weekend, Ewan has been extremely busy with his move and what not, so we just didn't do it. We did interview Wendy Thurm of FanGraphs last Friday to preview the upcoming Jays-Giants series that starts tonight though, so we have that. It will act as our 8th episode. Oh, and because I was sick at the time of the recording, and was not up to speaking(even though I barely do any on our podcasts) I sat the interview out. So it's just Ewan this week. Without further ado, our interview...

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We'll be back at it next week. Thanks for listening.

BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 7: Are the Jays Dead?

It's getting pretty depressing to talk about the Jays while they're doing so bad(I think I start like this every week), so we have our second straight episode with two interviews. This week, we our joined by Jason Collette of BaseballProspectus and Andrew Stoeten of drunkjaysfans.com. As well, we talk about the Jays slow start, Clay Bucholz and the Red Sox cheating, Gregg Zaun and his views of women, and more! Enjoy.






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Links Mentioned

David Cameron- The Blue Jays are in Trouble- FanGraphs

Emily Williams- Gregg Zaun- RBO

BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 6: The one Where we Interview Portlanders

Because the Jays are way to depressing to talk about, we only talked about them for about 20 minutes, and then had a couple of fantastic interviews. The first is with Matthew Kory of BP and Over the Monster, and the second is with Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs, USS Mariner, and formerly of Lookout Landing. Enjoy.








Stream: 

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Links Mentioned:

Waiver Abuse

Drunk Jays fans the drunkest in baseball?

Sullivan on Rasmus

BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 5: Pitch f/x, Bow-Viste, and More!

After another somewhat disappointing week for the Jays, we're back with our 5th episode! This week, we talk more roster moves(Casper Wells, Ramon Ortiz, Brad Lincoln, Kawasaki), have an interview with the Pitch f/x Guru Harry Pavlidis, MILBer of the week, and we talk a little about some sports related Boston things... Enjoy! Click here to read some of Harry's work.

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BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 4: The One Where We Cry About Reyes

It's going to be a long 3 months until Jose Reyes gets back from injury. On this episode of the podcast, we go over the injury and who might replace him, as well as talk about the roster moves that have occurred over the past week, and we dive into the new International Bonus Pool trading rules...Warning, they're a bit confusing. To download this episode, click here.

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Links Mentioned

Explanation of the rules to Bonus Pool trading.

Bonus Pool slots

Likely Trading Partners(Bonus Pool)

BlueJaysPlus Podcast Episode 3: One Week In

Just fooling around with different logos...

Time flies when you're having fun(and losing 13-0). After 6 games, the Jays sit at 2-4, yet have been entertaining every time they've gone out their and played. 3 episodes into our podcast,we hope we're even more entertaining(although it's not likely cause the Jays have Jose Reyes and we just have skype). Int his weeks episode, we look back at the week that was in Jays land, from the Blue Jays horrific defines, to Brett Cecil's awesome first few games, to Colby Rasmus' sweet swing. We also talk about John Farrell's return, whether or not players should be wearing Roy Halladay's number(we're looking at you Esmil Rogers), and as always, have our Jays MILB player of the week. Hope you enjoy!

To download click here

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Links mentioned on the Podcast:

Gideon Turk predicting how awful the Jays will be defensively in 2013, way back in December.

Gideon Turk examining Brett Cecil's opening day performance.

Ewan Ross on Danny Knobler's Anti-Canada article.

Photo Gallery of Johnny Damon's return to Boston after signing with the Yankees (courtesy of @emilyg819)

BlueJaysPlus Podcast: Episode 2...The Paw-Cast

You'll get the title soon enough. Just listen until the end!

On this episode we talk Romero, Happ, Rasmus, Bullpen, Japanese Baseball, do a little predicting, and more! Leave your comments on how you think we're doing. Oh, intro music!!!!!! Click here to download, or you can stream it by clicking on the play button below.



Intro music: Pearl Jam-Do the Evolution

BlueJaysPlus Podcast: Episode 1.2!

Every baseball site needs a podcast, so we decided to start one! This is our first episode, and we hope to have one every week of the year. We can't promise they will all be so content packed like this one, where we spoke for an hour+ about the upcoming season, but we will try our best. This is my first foray into podcasting, so I'm not the best at it. I'll try to have it be downloadable sometime in the next week or so, and hopefully on itunes as well, but I have to learn how to do all of that. Until then, I guess you'll have to just listen on here.



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Yes, we'll have intro music next week...