Locked On Blue Jays

These are dark times in the real world.A.J. Andrews begins the first episode of the week with the sombre news of the massacre in her home province, and why it seems to hit so hard. She tries to lighten the mood with some good Blue Jays #OOTP2020 news, but it doesn't work. Especially when she has to deal with MLB again letting cheaters off the hook way too lightly, as the Red Sox get away with an already-fired manager, a now fired video review technician and a mere second-round pick in penalties. She is not happy.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Postmates, WealthSimple, and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Technical difficulties can't stop us!After an apology from the editor, A.J. Andrews and Sportsnet 590's Mike Wilner continue their discussion on their respective simulated baseball campaigns! While A.J. is enjoying success with Tanner Roark, Wilner is much more favorable toward Sam Gaviglio, Ken Giles and the bullpen. One thing is certain, Chase Anderson is bad in both worlds. They also discuss throwing money at the bullpen problem by claiming Craig Stammen off waivers, and hope for the people of Buffalo.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews! Follow Mike Wilner @Wilnerness590!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Postmates, WealthSimple and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He's back y'all! Talking that simball, y'all!Blue Jays play-by-play man and fellow 2020 season simulator Mike Wilner returns to the podcast for the first of a pair of episodes! In the first half, A.J. Andrews and he discuss how Mike got into Dynasty League Baseball when he was younger, the frustration of watching the dice land one number away from a home run, and watching the simulated Blue Jays continue to struggle on offense the same way the real life Blue Jays do!Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews! Follow Mike Wilner @Wilnerness590!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Postmates, WealthSimple and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today was not the day to be losing 10-2, Blue Jays.In the second half of a doubleheader, A.J. Andrews turns her attention to fake baseball. The Blue Jays' OOTP2020 sim has seen them compile an uneven 9-10 record so far, and the host/manager has some ideas on the culprits. She looks at Bo Bichette's sluggish start to the season and wonders if the sophomore slump is bad enough for a demotion. Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. don't escape her laser gaze either.However, the bullpen has been the obvious black sheep, and Andrews is worried that there are reasons for all of it. That Houston Ken Giles has re-emerged. That Rafael Dolis is struggling to adapt back to MLB play. That Anthony Bass just isn't good enough to be a true set-up man. Is there a way for the Blue Jays to fix this? Maybe?Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Postmates, WealthSimple, and the Locked O

Blink-182 had some sage words to describe the situation this week. Go guess which ones.A.J. Andrews returns with the first of another doubleheader set of episodes! In the first one, she pays tribute to the dearly departed Dámaso García and how much like Tony Fernández, he played a role in helping build the Blue Jays to the point of contention. She also wishes best of luck to the now-retired Steve Pearce and congratulations to Amanda and Kevin Pillar and their new baby boy!The second half sees the Nova Scotian look at MLB's second proposal to resume baseball, which sees the teams split between Arizona and Florida. She actually likes the Blue Jays' new division mates (although the Yankees are still present), but still doesn't think it's a good idea to be planning for baseball in a state that has proven it doesn't know what it's doing with this virus.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Ja

I think we all could use some happy, even if it is simulated happy.The Blue Jays enter a seven-game homestand on a three-game win streak and A.J. Andrews couldn't be more excited! Even if it is just in the OOTP 2020 campaign! She discusses an offense that is starting to move away from total reliance on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and highlights Randal Grichuk and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as Jays who have stepped up their game recently. Plus, the move to give Rowdy Tellez more at bats; will it pay off?She also discusses a pitching staff that has performed much better in the past few games. Part of it comes from Hyun-Jin Ryu's excellent start, but most of the growth is from the bullpen, and the host talks about how she feels Danny Salazar, Thomas Pannone, Ken Giles and others have stepped up to calm the waters from a starting rotation that is still trying to find it's footing as a whole.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This

Jonathan Swift could never survive today. People would take him too seriously.A.J.. Andrews begins a doubleheader Thursday by explaining how the podcast schedule is going to shift moving forward, allowing for more flexibility in this uncertain time. She then spends the rest of the episode tearing apart MLB's plan to get baseball underway in May, savaging it for being reckless, putting player lives at risk, and not delivering the product the fans are going to want to see anyway.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Postmates, WealthSimple, and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Misery does indeed love company.Because she is still feeling the despair of that seventh inning against the Yankees on Thursday, host A.J. Andrews has brought in Jays From the Couch writer Karen Soutar to help her dissect the first week and a half of the 2020 OOTP season! The two ladies discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s MVP status after a blistering start, the outfield being really bad, Chase the Ace, Ryu the not-quite ace, and a bullpen that will literally give you a headache if you stare at it too long, including Ken Giles.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews! Follow Karen @KarenSoutar1!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSimple, and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB wants to do doubleheaders? OK, we can do doubleheaders.Following a migraine brought about by a bad case of the Blue Jays bullpen (more on that in the second half), A.J. Andrews returns to answer a fans request to discuss the prospect of A.J. Hinch and Jeff Luhnow serving their suspensions without missing a game of baseball, and Justin Turner's proposal to make extra innings a lot more entertaining.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, Postmates, WealthSimple, and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of a false one-hit wonder, RIP Adam Schlesinger. You've got All Kinds of Time now.Will Aaron Sanchez do anything in MLB again? ESPN says no in its latest article, but A.J. Andrews wonders if that is really the case. She breaks down the hard road Aaron has to return to relevancy. She also does something rare on the podcast: she gives credit to a Texas Ranger. Specifically, one of the few she really likes as Shin-Soo Choo's donation to the minor leaguers of the Rangers highlights just how badly that money is needed by those players, and how MLB should be providing it instead of the players.The second half sees her discuss the Blue Jays' 6-4 Wednesday night loss to the Reds to close out that three-game series. She questions the decision to bring Ken Giles out for a second-straight game despite a shaky performance on March 31, and how the Blue Jays need options besides the Iceman. Anthony Bass was not that tonight. She also discusses how the offense can't just rely on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being hot all

Even in the virtual realm, the Plakata bombs still sound so sweet.A.J. Andrews wishes all her trans siblings a happy Trans Day of Visibility and talks about how happy she is to be able to celebrate it fully. She notes that MLB has decided to at least pony up some money to pay to its players, but is the $400 per week to minor leaguers enough to live on? Sadly, it probably is compared to what they usually get. She also talks about how Toronto mayor John Tory confirmed that sports would be allowed while public events would not until June 30, and how that makes her feel.On the virtual diamond, the Cincinnati Reds are in town and the Blue Jays have split the first two games thanks to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s second multi-homer game of the season. She talks about how important both he and Travis Shaw have been to keeping the Jays offense afloat while many other bats struggle, including leadoff man Bo Bichette. She also discusses Hyun-Jin Ryu's first win as a Jay, Ken Giles' first save, Trent Thornton's acceptable st

How we all doing? Surviving? That's all we can do.The MLB and MLBPA have a freawork in place for whenever the real 2020 season begins, and A.J. Andrews goes through the details. She knows that the union was praised for what it did get and applauds the full year of service time being applied, but she still thinks the MLB owners are being cheapskates. Quel suprise.In the virtual world, Andrews discusses a much needed start from Chase Anderson in the Blue Jays' series finale against the Red Sox. The ex-Brewer posted seven scoreless innings and took the pressure off a Jays bullpen that needed some help. Andrews gushes about that effort, especially in the face of what he did last season in Milwaukee. She then tees up tonight's series opener against the Reds. Mike Moustakas may not be in the lineup for Cincinnati, but she stresses the importance of attacking the Reds just as the Jays attacked the Red Sox on Sunday night.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himala

I'd feel worse about doing another Sunday edition of what should be Fan Friday, but my body is taking care of that.Welcome to the fan show! This week, A.J. Andrews asked for the fans' top-four influential baseball players and while some were a bit snarky, she concurs with most of the selections before breaking down her own personal top four. Then in the second half, A.J. breaks down the Friday and Saturday OOTP2020 games between the Blue Jays and Red Sox and expresses dismay that wildly different results could occur against the same type of pitcher, and that the Jays' inability to get balls off the ground could get them into trouble this season. But Vladdy and LGJ hit some dingers!Thanks to @KarenSoutar1, @CineMarter_, @EverythingGrich, @BradDWFerguson, @marcussnarcus and @jaymurray78 for sharing their thoughts!Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSi

This day could have gone so much better. In so many different ways.A tired and frazzled A.J. Andrews hosts a bitter podcast lamenting on how everyone is missing the real Opening Day, hard as she is tried to make the best of it. She also discusses the trio of players optioned by the Blue Jays and how Thomas Pannone, Jacob Waguespack and Santiago Espinal being Bisons in name at the moment only matters for one thing.In the second half, Andrews discusses the Blue Jays' disappointing 8-2 season-opening loss to the Red Sox. Even before leaving due to injury, Hyun-Jin Ryu did not look like a $20M pitcher, but Andrews finds more fault with a lineup that seems way too willing to carry the trends of 2019 into 2020. Plus, injury updates for Ryu and Canadian Jordan Romano.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSimple, Progressive and the Locked On Podcast Network.

Yes, we have a season preview to do and we do it for you! The fans!A.J. Andrews is joined by the original host of Locked On Blue Jays and the Jays From the Couch editor-in-chief Shaun Doyle to break down the opening day roster for the 2020 OOTP season! Doyle expresses joy at not having to talk about Brandon Drury, and the two break down the 1B position, the outfield, Trent Thornton, the lack of a lefty in the bullpen, potential free agent pitchers signing with the Blue Jays, and Justin Smoak's return to Toronto as a member of the Red Sox!Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews! Follow Shaun @DoyleJFTC!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSimple, Progressive and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mets are gonna Mets, even when there is no baseball.Another major elbow has gone bust in MLB, and A.J. Andrews discusses the implications of Noah Syndergaard's Tommy John surgery on both the 2020 season, as well as the Blue Jays' young 100-mph hurler awaiting his MLB debut. Plus, some happier news in the second half courtesy Bo Bichette and the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's the biggest win the Buccos will have all season. Finally, news about tomorrow's "season preview" episode!Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSimple, Progressive and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How we all doing? Good?A.J. Andrews begins the week by discussing the differing opinions that MLB writer Jon Heyman and Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro have on when the baseball season will actually start. The host tends to agree with the person actually working in an MLB front office, and explains her reasons.Plus, an update on a trade that occurred in the simulation 2020 season, and @BlueJayMatt can rest easy. A current Blue Jay was not involved. A former one was though, and we explain how it will impact Toronto anyway. Plus another team wants to trade Toronto a catcher! But what do they want in return?Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSimple, Progressive and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have transactions to talk about! Both real and in the virtual game!A.J. Andrews leads off this Fan Friday edition of the pod with the news that Anthony Kay and Sean Reid-Foley have both been optioned by the Blue Jays. This doesn't seem to matter at the moment, but it does protect a year of service time on an MLB roster should the season's opening be delayed for a while, so since neither was making the team, it makes sense. She also talks about MLB's "support" for minor leagues that will only be good until April 8. Small comfort for those who don't know what will happen after that.Then in the second half, we dive into the moves the fans want to make to improve the 2020 Blue Jays! Surprisingly Yasiel Puig will not be one of those moves after being voted down, but there are a couple of contract offers out there, and for fans of guys with lingering shoulder issues, you'll be in for a treat! Plus an offer to an old friend! Also, discussing the Nationals-Phillies trade and Aaron Sanchez's new home! All virtual t

Where one part of the scale goes up, the other inevitably goes down.Today, A.J. Andrews examines the news that Chris Sale is having Tommy John surgery and the broader notion of how the shutdown is helping other teams get healthy, but mostly the Yankees. A.J. isn't sure getting Rafael Dolis back for the Blue Jays helps, but her thoughts on the injury impact being muted are interesting.She also has an update on the OOTP test run, such as who she signed for the Blue Jays and who departed in her brief time as all-powerful being in charge of Toronto. Yes, someone did want Brandon Drury... and Derek Fisher, plus a favorite of Shaun Doyle's is in the fold. She then outlines her plans for how Blue Jays fans can chime in for some fun in the transaction game!Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSimple, Progressive and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more

It seems this isn't a good week for the MLB.A.J. Andrews discusses the AP report that MLB is looking to outright cancel the MLB Draft. She outlines why they want to do it ($$$) and how that is cheating the players out of their hard-earned payday, although there may be a slight advantage for the Blue Jays.She also provides an update on how the Out of the Park sim is looking for the Toronto team. There are some positional issues, as well as some promotions that need to be made to the opening day roster, but one Blue Jay in particular should be steaming with his rating. A.J. tells you who.Follow the podcast on Twitter @LockedOnJays and follow the host @A_J_Andrews!Subscribe on Himalaya, Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes!This episode is sponsored by Jays From the Couch, Withings, WealthSimple, Progressive and the Locked On Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices