At The Letters - podcast cover

At The Letters

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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Episodes

How Blue Jays Pitchers are Preparing for the Year Ahead

Two months after the season was suspended, Blue Jays pitchers have learned a lot about working from home. Bullpen coach Matt Buschmann joins Arden and Ben for a discussion about how the staff is preparing behind the scenes. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden […]

May 13, 202042 minEp. 32

Planning For A Season Like None Other

Getting the 2020 baseball season going will be nothing if not complex. Shi Davidi joins Arden and Ben to discuss the latest plans and the many ways the Blue Jays will be impacted. This episode is recorded and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions […]

May 08, 202055 minEp. 31

If Baseball Returns In 2020, What Will It Look Like?

As discussion about a potential 2020 MLB season intensifies, Arden and Ben weigh in on some potential structures for a shortened season while also examining some of the remaining obstacles. This episode is recorded and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in this […]

Apr 30, 202044 minEp. 30

Fielding Your Questions

This week Ben and Arden turned to ATL listeners for questions on everything from the 2020 season, past Blue Jays teams, sportswriting and food. #AskATL This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the […]

Apr 22, 20201 hr 20 minEp. 29

Matt Shoemaker on rehab, leadership and Mike Trout

Before the MLB season went on pause, Matt Shoemaker joined Arden and Ben at spring training for a wide-ranging conversation about injury rehab, the Blue Jays’ pitching staff and Mike Trout. This episode is produced by Amil Delic, mixed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views and opinions expressed in […]

Apr 15, 202033 minEp. 28

Introducing Sports On Pause

Listen to Sports On Pause at https://sprtsnt.ca/3e7nTAZ or search and subscribe in your podcatcher. COVID-19 is impacting the world unlike anything we’ve seen in 100 years, and sports has not escaped its effects. The newest podcast from Sportsnet features hosts Richard Deitsch and Donnovan Bennett in conversation with athletes and executives, health professionals and journalists […]

Apr 11, 20204 minEp. 27

Randal Grichuk’s State Of Mind

What does physical distancing look like for the Toronto Blue Jays? Randal Grichuk joins Arden and Ben to discuss his workouts and state of mind with the 2020 baseball season on pause. This episode is produced and recorded by Amil Delic, sound engineered by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. The views […]

Apr 07, 202035 minEp. 26

Jamie Campbell Is Burning Up The Phone Lines

With no baseball on the schedule, Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell has been making plenty of calls. This time he phones Ben and Arden to talk about his conversations with fans and some classic Jays games. This episode is produced and record by Amil Delic, sound designed by Christian Ryan, and hosted by Ben […]

Mar 31, 20201 hr 10 minEp. 25

Talking Next Steps And Revisiting Some Blue Jays History

With uncertainty still surrounding the start of the 2020 MLB season, Arden and Ben wonder what’s next before discussing some of the classic Blue Jays games now airing on Sportsnet. Listen to our interview Andrew Albers HERE. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. […]

Mar 23, 202030 minEp. 24

A New Reality Emerges For The Jays, And All Of Us

A few days ago, the COVID-19 outbreak led to the indefinite suspension of the MLB season. What now? Arden and Ben discuss the implications of the pause in play for society at large and for the Blue Jays. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden […]

Mar 17, 202050 minEp. 23

Nate Pearson

How does baseball’s top right-handed pitching prospect prepare himself? Nate Pearson joins Arden and Ben in Dunedin, Fla. to talk tech, food, sleep, workload and the high hopes he has for his career. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Special thanks to Maria St. […]

Mar 10, 202036 minEp. 22

What We’ve Learned At Blue Jays Spring Training

All of a sudden opening day’s not all that far off. From the Blue Jays’ spring training home in Dunedin, Fla., Ben asks Arden for his Grapefruit League impressions and a discussion about Nate Pearson follows. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Audio […]

Mar 07, 202057 minEp. 21

Stealing The Show

Arden and Ben discuss ongoing Astros scandal and the ways it’s impacting the Blue Jays before moving on to the latest on-field news. “Who is the Blue Jays top outfield prospect?” -Arden Zwelling This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is […]

Feb 19, 202058 minEp. 20

Winter Wins and What They Will Mean

While the Blue Jays still have work to do, Hyun-jin Ryu could be a difference maker. Arden and Ben take stock of what the recent additions mean for a new-look Toronto roster. This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters also on […]

Jan 11, 202049 minEp. 19

Nov. 8: Blue Jays’ off-season work just getting started

Chase Anderson’s a Blue Jay now. What’s next? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith explain who is (and isn’t) a free agent fit before considering Toronto’s options in centre field. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is also on YouTube. Watch […]

Nov 09, 201958 minEp. 18

Oct. 18: Mark Shapiro on what’s next for both the Jays and himself

With the regular season over, it’s time to zoom out a little. Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith ask Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro about his professional future, the Blue Jays’ next moves and some potential rule changes in baseball. “I love where I am.” – Mark Shapiro, Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO At The Letters […]

Oct 18, 20191 hr 13 minEp. 17

Oct. 4: Reviewing some contentious Blue Jays over/under predictions

With some much-needed help from Shi Davidi, Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith review their annual over/under predictions. As always, past assumptions about the Blue Jays prove questionable in time. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is presented by the All-New […]

Oct 04, 20191 hrEp. 16

Sept. 27: John Schneider’s observations from the dugout

Few people have seen as much of Vlad, Bo and Biggio as John Schneider. The Blue Jays coach joins Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith to discuss the development of those rookies and what he watches for from the dugout. “He (Bo Bichette) thinks he’s going to be Mickey Mantle — Mike Trout. There’s no hesitation.” -John […]

Sep 27, 201947 minEp. 15

Sept. 19: Assessing the debut seasons of Vlad, Bo and Biggio

How would you grade the Blue Jays’ rookie infielders? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith weigh in on Vlad, Bo and Biggio while also discussing the Toronto bullpen and Trevor Bauer’s next team. “Cavan Biggio is having a better rookie season than Vladimir Guerrero Jr.” -Arden Zwelling This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted […]

Sep 20, 201947 minEp. 14

Sept. 13: Discussing the evolution of pitching with Blue Jays’ Pete Walker

Imagine obsessing over every last pitch thrown by the 2019 Blue Jays. That’s Pete Walker’s job. As a tough season winds down, Walker joins Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith for a big picture discussion about pitching. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At […]

Sep 13, 201940 minEp. 13

Sept. 5: Call-ups add intrigue as losses pile up for Blue Jays

Remember when the Blue Jays won games for a while? Those days are over. As September call-ups arrive in Toronto, Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith discuss the club’s struggles and recent additions. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is presented […]

Sep 05, 201936 minEp. 12

Aug. 28: Assessing the Josh Donaldson trade one year later

Josh Donaldson’s back and he’s hitting again, so Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith assess last year’s trade before discussing Rowdy Tellez’s production and previewing the Blue Jays’ September call-ups. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters is also on YouTube. This […]

Aug 28, 201944 minEp. 11

Aug. 21: Will Pearson be next top prospect to join Blue Jays?

Now that Nate Pearson’s just one step away from the majors, how soon could he make his MLB debut? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith discuss before turning their attention to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s knee and the Jays’ use of the opener. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben […]

Aug 21, 201939 minEp. 10

Aug. 14: Ross Atkins on the Blue Jays’ present and future

GM Ross Atkins joins Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling for a big-picture discussion about where the Blue Jays are now and what has to happen for them to contend. This episode is produced by Steven Coyle and Ryan Walsh, sound engineered by Shoaib Alli, and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. At The Letters […]

Aug 14, 201956 minEp. 9

Aug. 9: A new era of Blue Jays baseball arrives

Bo Bichette can’t be stopped, so Arden and Ben discuss his historic stretch, what the Blue Jays can do to address their pitching, and Mark Shapiro’s recent media availability. “I don’t know if the Blue Jays are going to win in two years or three years. None of us know if they are going to […]

Aug 09, 201953 minEp. 8

Aug. 1: A closer look at the Blue Jays’ decision to trade Sanchez

With Sanchez, Biagini and Hudson all traded, Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith make sense of the Blue Jays’ decisions and assess the return coming to Toronto. “I just don’t think you can criticize the front office for, you know, oh — they don’t now what they are doing. No! They’re doing what every other team […]

Aug 02, 201959 minEp. 7

July 30: Did the Blue Jays get fair value in Stroman trade?

Marcus Stroman and Eric Sogard have been traded. Did the Blue Jays get enough back? Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith make sense of the moves and Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline weighs in on the return. “This would be a really big story (Bo Bichette called up) if it hadn’t happened on the day that […]

Jul 30, 201948 minEp. 6

July 24: Last episode of the Stro Show?

Is this it for Marcus Stroman and the Blue Jays? And if so, what happens next? Shi Davidi joins Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith in studio to make sense of the Blue Jays ahead of the deadline. “One of the great things about Blue Jays fans is that Blue Jays fans obsess over these tiny […]

Jul 24, 201947 minEp. 5

July 17: Weighing in on Blue Jays’ top trade chips with Mike Wilner

Just like that, we’re only two weeks away from the trade deadline, so Blue Jays play by play voice Mike Wilner joins Ben Nicholson-Smith at Fenway Park to discuss the team’s top trade chips. “The Blue Jays are going to be good next year. They’re going to be very good in a couple of years. […]

Jul 18, 201936 minEp. 4

July 12: Applying lessons in player development to the Blue Jays

What if there was no such thing as a ceiling for MLB players? This week, The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh joins At the Letters to talk about the MVP Machine, the book on player development he co-authored. “He knows he’s going to be traded. That was really my takeaway from talking to Stroman on the Monday […]

Jul 13, 201941 minEp. 3
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