In Part 2 of the Hall of Fame episode, Greg and Josh are joined first by Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star to discuss the pressure of being a first time voter and the differences between filling out a theoretical one and one that will actually count towards the final tally. They also speak […]
Author: Artifical Turf Wars
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 41: The Hall of Fame Spectacular – Part 1
In Part 1 of the two-part Hall of Fame episode of Artificial Turf Wars, Greg and Josh speak to Jay Jaffe about his JAWS metric, how many writers use the stat in determining their own ballots, players he feels are under-served by Hall of Fame voting, and the best players on this year’s ballot. They […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 40: A Long Winter’s Nap
Greg and Josh discuss the latest news surrounding Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, the extremely slow offseason, and the apparently Blue Jays strategies to fill their remaining roster holes. They also give out a Do Over, take a trip down memory lane to visit a man temporarily called Ralph, and answer a bunch of listener […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 39: A Pearce-ing Winter Wind
Greg, Josh, and Nick break down the happenings (and not) from the Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C. They start by discussing the value of recent Blue Jays signing Steve Pearce, then look at the fallout from the Chris Sale trade, Edwin Encarnacion’s market crash, Dexter Fowler rumours, Ian Desmond’s bizarre contract from the Rockies, and […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 38: Talking CBAseball
Shi Davidi of Sportsnet stops by to discuss the upcoming Winter Meetings, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the Jays offseason plans as they relate to budget and potential free agent targets. Greg and Josh also discuss Brett Cecil’s departure, Edwin Encarnacion rumours, and then run down the numerous players to whom the Jays have been […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 37: Our Lourdes and Saviour
Greg and Josh break down the recent signings of Kendrys Morales and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., then they go over the Bautista/Encarnacion qualifying offer decisions and their ramifications, the reported offer to Brett Cecil, and some of the goofiness that came along with the Cy Young voting results. They also answer some listener questions and wish […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 36: Putting the Agent in Free Agent
MLBPA Certified Player Agent, Joshua Kusnick stops by to discuss the agent role in CBA talks, the planning stages for arbitration hearings, the relationship between player and agent, and how an agent must distance themself from their fandom. He also shares a fun story about how he signed one of his current clients in an […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 35: The Feather in Our (Re)Cap
Nick Dika joins Greg and Josh to recap the ups and downs of the 2016 season. They go over a bunch of categories ranging from the best moments of the year and top hitters and pitchers on the team, to the most surreal moment and when it felt like rock bottom. There are plenty of […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 34: Closing Time
Greg and Josh react to a tough ALCS loss to Cleveland in five games, with a specific look at what went wrong with the offense – other than a select few players – the solid starting and incredible relief pitching, the futures of Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, and the overall insanity of the postseason. […]
Artificial Turf Wars Ep. 33: Sweep in the Heart of Texas
Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs stops by to preview the upcoming ALCS with a focus on the liberal use of platoons, the deep Andrew Miller-led bullpen and its effect on the depleted Cleveland rotation, and specific matchups between the two clubs. Greg and Josh then go back over the ALDS against Texas game by game, highlighting […]