OverDrive - OverDrive - March 26, 2026 - Hour 1 - Ross Atkins

Episode Date: March 26, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Dave Feschuk for Hour 1 on OverDrive! They dive into the Maple Leafs' win against the Rangers, the goaltending depth in Toronto, the Rangers in a downfall season, Thomas Chabot's injury impact for the Senators and Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes' rough starts to the season. Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins joins to discuss the season outlook for the team, the additions and building off the World Series.

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All right, here we go, Overdrive, off and running. TSN 1050 on the TSN app, your home smart speaker, up on TSN4. up on YouTube live, Brian Hayes, you, Doug Jeff O'Neill, and Dave Festchuk of the Toronto Star in here. How are we feeling this afternoon? There he is. Your Trump name is Ungrateful Hazy Bee.

Best Chuck, I called this guy today, and I said, you mind digging around your closet a little bit? I gave you some ties, and I was looking to get one back in his circulation, that I know he has not worn. He goes, to be honest with you, a lot of them were stained. and gross, so I threw a lot of them out.

Okay, ungrateful. Yeah, so you want the real version of what happened? Yeah? This guy went through his dumpy little dressing room where he's got crap everywhere, right? And he goes through these stages where he decides, I'm going to, like, really cut the fat here, and I'm going to get rid of a lot of stuff. So he comes in here one day and dumps ties in front of me, as if I was asking for that. A gesture of friendship.

It was a gesture of friendship. Basically, these are garbage. I don't like them anymore. You take them. And these were his exact words. That if you don't like him, just toss them. That's what he said on the way out. That's what was said.

Fabrication. That's what was said. So he calls me today a year later. Goes, do you have that tie? And I don't, honestly, I forgot to even go look. Like, I hung up the phone and immediately, it just went right out. Like, I was like, yeah, whatever. But the idea that the phrase,

the majority were stained. I remember this one in particular. Oh, really? You don't even know what I'm talking about. I do. I do because it was the one nice tie you gave me. The one nice tie. All the other ties were brutal ties.

Fred Rogers' time. Condition or in terms of style? Just bad style. Brown on maroon with like a bronze. You know what I mean? It was just like weird styles that this guy knew he's never going to wear again. He gave me one tie that was the golden ticket, and it had sweet and sour sauce all over it.

You're so full. I'm telling you. Dude, sweet and sour sauce, really. I know exactly. I was a dip in the car and a bite and drop, and I know exactly what happened. I know exactly what happened. Lion Ted Cruz. That's Hayes.

That's Hayes. That's a grateful Brian Hayes. I'm grateful Brian Hayes. That's what I would be labeled. I'll look for it. I'll look tonight. Fast shock. I thought the response was going to be, you know what?

You were so gracious. Because, dude, there were some Gucci ones in there, some dialed in ones. And I thought it was going to be, you were so grateful to hand me over those things. I'd be happy to find that for you. Instead, I got, I got to be honest, I threw a lot of them out. And that one in particular you talk about, there was staint. Like, it's just. I'll look tonight. I'm going to look tonight, but I don't think I have it.

Because I just went through my own routine where I just, I've got, I've bought too many things that I never wear. Like I explained it, we got the Jay's back in town, and Ross Atkins will join us in about 20 minutes. I bought, and I knew it the second I bought it. I bought a T-shirt, like a World Series T-shirt, Jays, Dodgers. It was a throwback. Remember the old ones back in the early 90s? And they were trying to replicate that style, looking vintage. I bought it. I literally walked out the store. I said, I'll never wear this.

Like, I should have gone right back in. Not only have I not worn it, I've stuffed it somewhere in a separate room that I won't look at for five years. And then five years will say, you know, it's not a bad shirt. I'll keep this because I'll probably start wearing it. Then I'll never wear it. The cycle will just continue and continue. Give it to O'Dog and then ask for a back of a year later. There you go.

Maybe I'll do that. Maybe I'll do that. So, anyway, I'll look for the tie. Let me just give you one last tip. on this for cleaning your stuff out. I think it was during COVID. There was this, I forget her name, Mary something, and she teaches you how to, like, get rid of, like, cleanse your house with, like,

and you go through every item of clothes, you pick it up, and you have to say, like, I really love this thing, and I wear it a lot, and you get to keep that. And if you don't say that, gone. Everything gone, dude. You'd be amazed how much stuff you toss out clothes-wise. Like if you ain't wearing it in six months, you're never wearing it. Never. Probably true.

Oh, that's the Marie condo, right? That's it. That's the one. Right. Yes. It's all about like paring down to your bare essentials. Exactly. Try it, hazy.

Give it a shot. Blow it up rebuild. That's what you're suggesting. A blow it up rebuild. Which the Leafs are not going to do now because they're starting to win games. Everything's fine. Everything's all good. Sure, they gave up 43 shots to a team two nights ago,

only put 10 shots on the board. Like the Rangers had 10 shots on goal at home. Dude, they are so bad, man. They put 43 shots on the board last night. And Joseph Wall was phenomenal and the least found a way to win the game. Almost impossible to have, that's got to be the biggest jump, I would think. Try to find that, do you. I have no idea how you possibly could.

A 33-shot difference game over game for the Rangers. It's crazy. Well, they audit the shot totals, too. I think they audited down to nine. Well, no, it was originally nine. They added a 10. They added one. Okay.

So it was reversed. It was nine after the game and they went back for some reason and said, we got to give this team an extra shot. I was reading the NHL media thing and the morning after. And it said nine at that point. But yeah, think about that. Like, that's how buttoned down Travis Green has the Ottawa senators, right? Right.

Absolutely. They are just suffocating teams to the point where, you know, James Reimer doesn't you have to make any stops. Well, that's it. They played him, you know, the first night of a back-to-back at the garden because they said, oh, Mark, we're going to need to the next night, which was the right play. Ottawa's got Pittsburgh tonight. There's some big games in the NHL tonight. Montreal's got Columbus tonight.

Edmonton, Vegas. Yeah. Edmonton, Vegas. Wow. Big tilt. Well. At Vegas? In Vegas.

Yeah. Wow. Edmonton Vegas in Vegas tonight. And I saw a stat last night. And I quote tweeted this because I found. it somewhat hysterical, the player they decided to use to illustrate this stat that I guess Sinbin Vegas is a site

that covers the gold knights and it was the Bleacher reports hockey Twitter page that actually kind of highlighted the fact that they had found the stat there it is up on the screen. The Golden Knights have trailed for the longest time in the NHL this season even more than the Canucks which means all like they come back

They're obviously comeback darlings. They did that to the Leafs in Vegas. Remember, the Leafs were up big in that game. They ended up losing in overtime. But they use Mitch Marner's picture as like the face of losing in Vegas. And I found that somewhat comical, quite frankly, but also unnecessary. I mean, why wouldn't it be Jack Eichler or the Captain Mark Stone? Or why isn't it?

Great point. Why is that Mitch? And I think the answer is it's a Toronto thing. Like, you want people up in Toronto. Remember when Mitch scored the O.T. winner at the Olympics, it was all about the Leafs. It wasn't about Vegas. It wasn't about Canada. It was Leaf fans, see what's going on. And now this is the opposite because they're going to get all the Leaf fans that wanted

Martyr to leave. They'll be like, oh, I'll like that tweet. There's Mitch being the face of a team that evidently never has the lead, which is a wild stat. Like, it's a wild, wild stat that they're never in the league. Especially for the roster that they have, Hayes. Like, that, I've been complimenting since the beginning of the year how deep that roster is. For those

guys to be playing the way they are, it's shocking. I know their goaltending is an issue, but to never be leading? Like, come on. That's crazy. Like, if Vancouver is ahead of you in any stat, that is really challenging and concerning. But yeah,

Vegas-Edmonton tonight, and, you know, from a leaf standpoint, you know, we're going to do this the final 10 games if they win, if they lose, and they're going to lose more than they win still. They've got to go on the road now. They're going through California. they're still going to have some bumps in the road. But what has come out of the last two nights is the goalies are fighting for jobs.

You know, that was a big conversation, obviously over the last couple of weeks. Like, fight for your job either in Toronto or elsewhere around the league. And the easiest way, and it's not foolproof, and it's certainly not a guarantee, but the easiest way to return to respectability is get great goaltending. Now, again, it's not foolproof, because, you know, because look at the team that played last night. Shasturkin's been healthy and played pretty well this year, and there's still a disaster in New York.

So I'll switch this sentence to non-transactional. Like, you have two guys that could go in there and play well and make your life a lot easier without going out and trying to find, like the other things, as Bruce Brudrow mentioned yesterday. Yes. And that is, now, I'm a little bit wary of, like, putting too much stock into what these two do the rest of the year, because it's never really been about

how well they play when they're healthy. It's been, are they going to be healthy? Right. And that's not going to change between now and opening night next year, whether or not you have full confidence in Stollars or Joseph Wall. But what those two proved over the last 48 hours is when they're healthy and ready to play, they can play. Like it can be a good tandem.

Yeah. And that's probably going to be the sales pitch. If they decide we're going to retool and we feel like we can get back on the bus next year, one of the main things they're going to promote, the mate believes is we believe our goaltending can help us do that. The other theory I've got, because it would make some sense because you've got two other younger goalies playing with the Marleys who could use some NHL starts when you're playing out the string in these meaningless games.

Totally. But they haven't gone that way, O'Dag. And I'm thinking, like, is this a little bit about image rehabilitation to prove to the league that both Stolars and Wall are healthy and really good still? Because they are two of the assets that are tradable. Like, you don't have a lot that's tradable easily. especially that doesn't have a no move clause. Well, what about this factor, Fast Chuck?

They're both tend to get hurt. So what the hell is a sense of wasting mileage on either one of them? It should be spot duty for both of them the last 10 days. Let Hildeby carry the load and see what. He gave him some experience. Give them the net the rest of the way. We're going to spot duty to the other guys on back-to-backs at your net to the end of the season.

Yeah, but your argument is boost their value so you can flip one of them. Well, you might have to, right? Yeah. Do you think, guys, do you think it's an interesting point, Dave, but do you think anyone is going to watch 10 games of one of these goaltenders, and all of a sudden they're going to be Tristan Jari tricked into thinking, oh, that's the guy I got to get? I don't think so.

It's the National Hockey League. The book's out on guys. I don't think any pro scout is going to sit up there and think differently of either one of those two guys. Everybody knows exactly what everyone's all about. I don't know if nine games is going to change someone's opinion. Well, I'm with you, O'Dag. I'm saying that's the only way I can explain why you play these guys right now. I guess, yeah.

What other reason is there? Well, again, I've been stating, like, Craig Barouba is probably fighting for give me a lineup to try to win. You know, and again, it speaks to the inconsistencies within the organization or perceived inconsistencies in terms of what the hell the plan is. Because, you know, I said it last week, yes, they're playing as if they're tanking. And I understand the players are never going to step on in tank. But you can determine who you're playing, when you're playing them. You know, the first power play is still going out there. Late in the game last night, they had Willie and Tavaris and Nielander out there holding

onto a lead. Get the fourth line out. Yeah. Like if you're tanking, don't win. But Barube's not going to do that. He's going to play his guys 23, 24 minutes a night. He's going to make sure that they're ready to play. If the starters are there, if Joseph Wall and Stollars are there, they're playing.

You know, so Barube's not going to do it. I don't think Tree Living knows what the hell is to do here because he doesn't know his future. You know, and I don't know if he has to go to Keith Pelly and sell a tank down the stretch, is he worried that that's going to end to his demise? I don't know. Who the hell knows what's going on behind the scenes there?

But I think the fact that we're questioning that speaks to a lot of the issues the team is dealing with right now. Like there's a lot of dysfunction because it's like, are you tanking or are you not tanking? Are you trying to hand over Boston? in the better pick and just wipe your hands clean of it and say, right, we're moving forward and we have one of our next two picks. Philly's going to get one of them next year or the year after.

Or are you tanking? Because Craig Baroube is looking at this, I think, probably as a guy that feels like he's going to lose his job, why would he do Brad Tree Living in the Leafs of favor? Oh, I agree. He's not going to tank. He's like, screw you guys, I'm playing. I'm here to win and I'm going to put the guys on the ice that I want to put on the ice. So, you know, the last two nights would be an example of that where,

four more points and all of a sudden it's not going to happen. They're not going to fall into bottom five. All of a sudden, you're eighth worst, though, Doug. They're eighth worst. They were dangling around six worst there, but they win these two. Now they're eighth worst.

There's a big difference there. And now there's a lot more teams to jump on the way down if you want to fall. It makes no sense, is what it is. I would shut, like obviously there's some dignity you've got to have in the league and you got to be respectable, but it doesn't make any sense to win any of these games. You got guys, William Nealander, Nurse deGroin, Matthew Nye's, hamstring.

I don't know who all. There's got to be guys that are nicked up. What is the sense? Like that year that they mailed it in and with JV, like every guy that had been nicked up, shut down for the year. Yeah, GM's got to do that. It's on the GM to do it. Like the GM has to step in, and he should have declared that by now. They haven't, really.

Like they haven't. As soon as the first three games were lost after the Olympic break, everyone shut down. Yeah. But they, I mean, again, they've lost a lot, and they're just naturally going to lose because they're not that good. And their systems getting crushed every single night. But if you run Wall and Stolar's out and they're healthy, you're going to win some games down the stretch. Yeah. Like that's going to likely happen.

And that's what happened last night. Joseph Wall was really, really good, and the Leaves found a way to get a win. That Ranger team, I know you talk. talked about the shot. They stink, too, man. Oh, yeah, they're terrible. They're horrendous. They've been awful all season.

Like, absolutely terrible all year. That J.T. Miller is unrecognizable out there. I don't know what happened to that guy. I mean, really what he's not, he broke Thomas Shabbat's forearm. Like Shabbat had surgery today, and he's out six to eight weeks. But other than that, I can't think of anything J.T. Miller's done. Yeah. You know, like he broke.

He looks unrecognizable. Like, he was an elite player in the league, a hundred point guy, an impact player. He had the puck. on his stick on the power play. He was the trigger guy. He was the heart and soul, the heartbeat. He's unrecognizable. There's something off there.

I don't know what it could be. You can't have a decline like that without there being an issue. And I don't know what it is. Well, those two guys, you're right, O'Douglas, two guys that were the centerpiece of an issue in Vancouver, right? Patterson and Miller. Yes, both unrecognizable. I mean, how do two guys that were somehow the center of this dressing room conflict that they couldn't solve without moving one of them out, How do they both fall off the cliff when they're separated?

Like it makes very little sense. It's hard to explain. Well, by all accounts, Miller wanted New York. They wanted him. They gave him the captaincy. Yeah. Like, they put all their eggs in his basket. He's the guy we're going to get and we're going to turn things around.

You're going to be the captain of this team. And yeah, it's been a disaster. But again, the new Shabbat surgery out six-day weeks, that knocks him out the first couple rounds at least. And they still got to make it. obviously, but if they get in, then, you know, you're playing without him. Nick Jensen's more of a depth defenseman, but he had surgery. He's out, I believe, on a similar timeline.

Jake Sanderson is still going to be out. He's coming back, though. But he'll return, I think, before the playoffs. But it's not going to be easy for Ottawa to go on a run or to get out of the first round if they make it without all these defensemen. You know, it just continues to be hit after hit after hit. And yet they keep playing that incredible style. They're locking teams down on a regular basis.

They got Pittsburgh tonight. I expect they win. You know, the way they're playing right now, I expect they're going to win. Ross Atkins coming up in 10 minutes. The Yankees won last night. Aaron Judge struck out four times. And then today, the reason we're not up on TSN4 yet or we're going to be up soon is because the Mets Pirates game has been on.

And Paul Skeens didn't get out of the first inning. And that's something? Like, what a parlay. Judge strikes out four times and Skeens can't get out of the first. inning. Like those are the Locke AL MVP, according to many, including the books. The Locke and L. Sy Young, not going to affect the odds at all, but it is knocking schemes, you know, it's one start, and it's a bloated stat line now.

Kind of crazy. I don't, he's probably never done that in his career. I can't imagine he has. I mean, that's a Burrios move. Remember, yeah. Barrios was the last year, the year before where he couldn't get out of the first inning. And that seemed like such a savvy acquisition when they got that guy for reals from Minnesota, long-term deal. It's like what a savvy business play.

And it just blew up. I mean, listen, they've survived without him. Like he's not even a part of the program. I know he's on the IL right now. I'm just talking about big picture. Like I think they gave him $135 million, maybe $150 million. They give him the highest amount of money for a pitcher in franchise history. Yeah.

$127 million or something. Yeah, and he's on the list of a lot of question marks on that pitching staff right now, right? Yeah. I mean, it's... No, it's interesting. Like with you Savage and I know Ross spoke today, and we can get into this with him, that Beaver's going to start pitching off a mound, I think, maybe next week. But then they got to build him all the way up.

Like, he's going to simulate spring training, which means he's not going to return, I don't think, before May. So you're going, you know, you're going four or five times through the rotation maybe before he is even available to you. you savage we don't know Barrios will see and I don't even know what their plan is with Burrios you know considering like what if Lauer pitches well you're going to knock him out for

Jose Burrios or what are you going to do I really don't know what their plan's going to be but anyway they're back home back in action tomorrow you got Oakland in town and Gosman on the mound and the GM Ross Atkins coming up and he's got himself a new deal six years of security for Ross

that's got to be living that's quality living for a GM in pro sports. You got a six-year contract ahead of you because he's got one year left and they gave him a five-year extension. So Ross's in a pretty good place. And I got to think he's happy to be back. I mean, it's a quick turnaround, but Jay's back in action tomorrow night.

So Ross Atkins coming up. We've got Chris Johnston on the show today. I've got a list bold predictions. I got five bold predictions for the Blue Jay season. So we'll get to that a little bit later this afternoon. I'm going to text my wife right now. Look for Rodog's tie. Uh-oh.

Yeah. And I, no, no, and take a pick because I guarantee you there's not McDonald's sweet and sour sauce, you moron. I'm telling you, I have a mental image, and I know exactly what was going on. So I just love, there was 50 ties, the one that you don't even remember that I asked for, you don't remember the type of what you do. Gold with a little bit of green. Gold with a little bit of green. It had sauce on it, sure. Yeah, okay.

Sweet and sour. Wow. It's disgusting. I'm disgusting. 20-pack, dips. 401. I know exactly what I'm. It does add up, Bodega. You do profile as a sweet and sour guy on the road.

Oh, dude, I could nail this guy's profile. I know exactly what he's up to. I'll tell you what. You got it dead wrong because I think it is a sin to not use barbecue sauce for a nug. Interesting. You're a barbecue sauce guy. Oh, my.

It's barbecue or bust. I've driven back to McDonald's and say wrong sauce. Wrong. JP doesn't like that. JP, do you not go BBQ sauce? No, it's sweet and sour all the way. No, dude. J.P. knows what's up.

No, no, no. I will trust JP when it comes to this all day. Put out a poll, do you like? Sweet and sour or barbecue? I guarantee BBQ takes it down the pole by the end of the show. There's a lot of options, man. There's... Honey mustard.

Yeah, it's like hot mustard at McDonald's. It's great, dude. I can get down with those. All right. Okay. Let's see. Barbecue. I think Sweet and sour and barbecue, though, are like generally the top two dogs.

I'm kind of a ranch guy. You like ranch? I don't think they do ranch at McDonald's, do they? I just like ranch on my chicken wings. Okay. Fingers. Yeah, okay. Are you Mayo fry guy?

That's also disgusting. Yeah, that's a bad profile. Mayo on a frot? Yeah, it's better than ketchup. Oh, that's an absurd comment. Oh, come on. That's an illegal comment. Dugie, call security on the bus truck.

Get them out of here. Get them out of here. All right. Ross Atkins coming up. We've got CJ on the show as well. The Jay's back home and inaction tomorrow night overdrive. continues up on YouTube live. All right, overdrive continues, powered by Fandul.

We're tracking the World Cup qualifying because we have to because Joe from the bridge basically bothered us for about 45 minutes before the show. Joe's walking around in his Italy kit, right? They call it a kit. God, I can only imagine how pathetic that. Let me just guess this. It's very tight.

Yes. Oh, dude. I think he bought it about 15. years ago and this thing is holding on for dear life. I think it was like an Italian dude loves more than to wear like a soccer shirt that just doesn't fit him and it's too tight

and it's got a little mini boiler and just little Geppetto loafers and they wheel around. They love it. That's him. That's literally him. It's got to be the blue jersey, right? He's got the blue kit and it's a tight tuck and Joe is loving life. But Italy's

playing Northern Ireland right now nill, nil through 40 minutes almost at halftime. So starting to sweat a little bit. Like Joe was convinced they were winning, right? He's convinced they'll find a way to win this, and then they'll get through the next stage, which of course will mean Canada, Italy, opening night of the World Cup.

But a lot of qualifiers going on right now. It's pretty nice to not have to worry about that. I mean, as a citizen of the city of Toronto, and I don't have a dog in the fight, but I'm pulling for Italy. You want to see Italy play. Because it's like when Italy's playing in the World Cup, like the city is on fire. I know, but Canada's literally playing. What do we need anyone else in it for?

But that's, oh, Doug, that's what we're going to find. You can't deny the statement. You can't throw out of the statement he just made Hayes. I understand that. The city would be electric. Yes, I agree. If Italy was playing the Ivory Coast, I'd be like, yes, this is going to be, it's all Italy all the time. They're literally going to be playing Canada, though.

Why do we need to worry about who else they're playing against? Isn't the fact that Canada's playing enough to get the city jacked? Oh, Doc, for me, it's like, we're going to, to find out who the true Canadians are. Oh, you know. The corrados and the Petrillo. Oh, I know it's coming. I know it's coming. Carlot is going to be in here.

Yeah, no. And then if Canada wins, it'll be, oh, I always knew Canada would win. I was so happy. It was a win-win. That's precisely what they're going to say. Yeah, listen, the vibes will be incredible. And opening night, the Yankees are in town. So it's Canada, Italy, possibly on the Friday night, Friday afternoon down at Bimo,

and then Jay's Yankees. Canadian Open happening that week is. as well. It's going to be crazy around here. Argos making their debut that same weekend, I think, on the road. It's going to be a great weekend here in Toronto. But that's in June. Forget this weekend, man. The Js are already back home. It's kind of crazy.

It's been a quick offseason, but they're back in action. The athletics in town starting their season tomorrow night, and a chat about it. And what's, I'm sure, been a whirlwind off season, is the GM of the Blue Jays back on overdrive. Here is Ross Atkins. How you doing, Ross? I'm doing great.

Thanks for having me on, Brian. Yeah, thank you. you for doing us as always. You buy yourself anything special with that new extension or what, Ross? Yeah, just time. Just time, okay. Well, that's valuable, right? I'll take it. Absolutely, absolutely.

This offseason, obviously it was a quick one. We haven't had you on since the World Series. Do you have a memory that continues to pop up? Like over the last few months, is there one particular memory from the World Series run that just continues to kind of rifle through your brain? You know, I think it's a collection of different feelings and emotions and, you know, not one that, you know, they're obviously the highlights that get put up

that kind of imprint certain visuals in my brain, but I don't fixate as much on the last out as much as I do to ride, and it was a good one. Ross, it seems like, you know, during your run, you guys were like the pace car and Major League Baseball for culture. It just seemed like you guys had it. All the players and Schneides was talking about, these guys love each other. They come to work.

The wives and the families are all taken care of. It's just like whatever the culture, how overrated you think it is or not, you guys seem to have it. Who is the biggest factor do you think in the organization for help creating that? Is it Vladdy? Is it John Schneider? Maybe Mark, if it's yourself, go ahead and say it. but who do you think is the biggest factor in that?

Well, I think it's just that. If it takes one person, it probably doesn't happen, you know, and I think it does all the names that you mentioned, you know, have to believe that it matters, and then it starts to make a difference. If I, you know, if I had to pick one person, I'd pick Snides because he is the leader of our environment and our, you know, the feeling in the clubhouse every day.

And even with experiences, like George Springer's and Kevin Gossmann's and Max Scherzer's, they're still looking to the decision maker in the clubhouse for, you know, that pulse and how he's feeling today, and he does an incredible job of setting it. So when you look at that special team, Ross, and you look at the team you have for opening day, I mean, can you make the case that this team is actually better? Yeah, I mean, it's easy for me to make it.

obviously we made the decisions to improve the team that we believe in and we have a lot of objective information telling us it is such however you know Ed we'll see right like it has to come together it has to we have to get results we understand that but the the acquisitions to our pitching staff and cease and pons and rogers the return of Shane Bieber and we're very optimistic he'll be back into the fold in some time here. You know, that, in addition to Okamoto, who we feel is a very, very good addition to this team, we are very confident that this is an improved group. Well, in terms of Okamoto, I've read some people, I've heard some people, we've

chatted about it on this show, trying to connect him arriving to Beset leaving. In other words, he is effective. Bo's replacement. Do you see it that way? Is that fair to him? Where do you stand on that? I mean, it's never one for one. You know, I mean, obviously, that is an easy way to assess it.

And that is a piece of the equation. Sure, it's another offensive player that's going to be playing in the infield. There was an infielder that left in Bovichet. So that is, you know, one way to look at it. But, you know, there's more to it than, just that piece of the equation. And as we assess that one, you know, but it's hard to, it's hard to really, you know, account for the impact that Bo had on our environment and his teammates. And there's so, so much subjectivity to that that we don't want to isolate it that way.

With Ross Atkinson, you know, you mentioned the additions with cease and with ponds and how that makes you feel better about your rotation and Bieber and you feel like he's right around on the corner from returning. He didn't mention Trey Savage, who was not obviously a part of the rotation on day one of the season last year. And he's starting on the IL. And I'm curious, you know, like, what is your messaging to the fans in terms of what to expect with him this year?

Innings, limits, when he could return, will you unleash him, what that looks like? Like, what is the messaging? Because as I'm sure you know, he made quite a first impression on the market. And people are pretty jacked to see him pitch. Yeah, I think the message is really simple, and it's not just to the fans, it's to each of us, it's to Trey, is that we want him pitching in October and November again. And the best way to do that is have the best version of himself starting the season and not push too hard. So very confident about the progress he made over the last six weeks,

and I feel that we'll see him back in that form again soon. So, you know, our understanding is it was, I think, a shoulder that wasn't. wasn't quite feeling great for him. So was the plan adjusted, though, based on how he felt when he arrived in Dunedin? Yeah, with that impingement, it's just an easy pause, and it's an easy slow play when you do feel that. Fortunately, he was able to continue throwing where we don't have to delode and back down on that progress, where he can continue to ramp up and build, to be able to pitch five, six, seven innings as a starter. And he made a significant strike. He made a significant towards that yesterday, pitching two innings

in a minor league game was very effective, looked like himself. So hopefully it's a matter of being built into that role again. With Ross Atkins. The Max Scherzer kind of danced throughout the offseason. It took a while last year. You know, you signed relatively late into the offseason, and this year is a similar scenario.

I believe you guys had already opened camp. What went into that final decision to bring Scher back? The fact that he wanted to be here. So we maintained interest. We made sure that he understood everything about our opportunity and that he had all of his questions answered. I was speaking to his representation all offseason. We spoke of him the entire offseason. And it takes everything's a negotiation, right?

And fortunately, his desire to be here aligned with our desire for his return. So, Roz, last year, I think one of the things, that people remember fans remember the most was the incredible renaissance season of George Springer. I mean, in a lot of ways, he was the engine that drove your team where it went. And, of course, he's 36 years old.

I mean, what's your level of belief that he could sort of, you know, keep on, keeping on, given the age, given the mileage on the odometer? Very high. Yeah, very high. I mean, all you have to do is stand next to them and get up close and personal and you have a high level of confidence being around just what an incredible athlete he is

and how competitive, how strong and physical. And he just had an incredible spring training too. So feeling very good about that. Well, the season hasn't even started yet. But as you know on shows like this and among the fan base, everyone's thinking beyond this year, 27, 28, 29. And George is going into the final year of his deal. So is Gosman. So is Vars show.

Those are three pillars of your organization, among other guys who also will be up at the end of the year. But, you know, Kevin in particular, who's getting a ball tomorrow night, has been really a stalwart for the rotation since he arrived. Springer, obviously, one of the biggest signings in franchise history. Where do things stand with their future with the Blue Jays beyond this year? I hope that it stands strong. I hope that there is the potential for us to be together for a longer period of time. and those negotiations or discussions are individual, obviously, are independent. Each of them are different.

We'll keep those private, but they've had, all of them have had significant impacts on this organization and certainly have interest in that continuing. Ross, big technological advancement this year. Fans are going to be getting used to the ABS system for the first time. I mean, how much has gone into the strategizing around? the ABS, like who's allowed to challenge, who maybe shouldn't challenge on the team, and how do you think it's all going to pan out? It's interesting.

It was a daily interaction and, you know, something that we made sure that we were, you know, we will not be flying by the seat of our pants, but at the same time, we don't want to handcuff our players by giving them too much to think about in an already very heady game. There's always the beauty of simplification and keeping things simple, so we're trying to marry the optimization of using leverage and when and when not to use a challenge with keeping things simple for our players and keeping thoughts out of their head so they can do the hardest part of the game, and that's make contact or execute pitches. we've heard from some players throughout the league and I don't know how much faith I put in it in terms of whether or not to be a truthful

but I guess they're purest or old school guys generally it's pitchers who are like I'm not using it because I don't want I don't like it or I feel like it might affect my relationship wait until they want it or need it well that's what I guess I'm getting to Ross like is it your understanding everyone on the 26 man roster is comfortable with using the ABS and in particular your pitchers your veteran arms like how have you have you had conversations with individual players is there a team philosophy in terms of using this where does that stand yeah i mean yes we have yes to all of the above and we're not going to roll out our strategy but um i think it's pretty straightforward and it is much harder for pitchers to do they just their advantage is different um what's happening with

their level of force when they release a ball and what they actually see when it crosses the plate is not nearly as good as what a catcher sees or even a hitter for that matter, especially if they're taking, well, they would be taking if they're challenging. So, you know, it seems to make more sense to keep that in the hands of position players and catchers. But the important thing is that we work with individuals on it and then we do need to learn with it as we put it into play, as we put our strategy into play. Yeah, I see Vladie being a guy that is really looking forward to using this. like he just he he he he's a guy he like he's calling for the dugout to challenge on almost everything

he's involved in uh and usually he's he's right or pretty close to it um but you know i'm curious because we've been obviously reflecting on the world series run i'm sure you guys have done it a lot you know over the last few months glad he set a bar that was so high like the the run he went on and in october was just absurd um how does it have how is it maybe adjusted your expectation and how can it really adjust your expectation when we're not talking about a best of five series or a best of seven series and every pitch is the utmost of importance. Now it's a 162 game grind. So where do you stand on Vladian and what you can expect out of him based on what you saw in the playoffs? Yeah. You know, it's hard for me to think about putting more or higher expectations

on a player that has already experienced so much of that. The level of expectation that he has already had to deal with and manage is really just so remarkable to think about what he's already accomplished and so early in his career. And I mostly just think about how glad I am for him, for the Toronto Blue Jays and our fan base, that he had that experience because there's no way that he didn't. benefit from it. Everyone did on our team and certainly feel strongly that he did and we'll take away things that will help him when we're, you know, battling on a Monday night and not such a big stage or when we're on that big stage again. Ross, it seemed at times in the off season,

it seemed like, wow, these guys have way too much starting pitching. It felt like there was a massive surplus there. And then you've had all these different injuries from Bieber to Burrios to you savage and on down the line. You know, what's you, what is your level of concern with, with arm health overall for those starters? And is this just sort of the recurring storyline of how difficult it is to keep pitchers healthy in this, in this sport? Much lower than Rick Bushwood.

Okay. Okay, we got that. Not fine on the patio, though. You got to go higher than that. You got to go higher than Rick Bushwood, Ross. No, you know, that's why we have to have the day. depth. So I think last year we experienced a, you know, our pitch, a lot of our staff experience a significant increase in their workload, in some cases 15% higher. So we expected guys to come

into spring training and for us to see signs of that, to see signs of that higher workload. And the only way you can account for that is to give more recovery and make sure you can cover it with depth. And that was the push to acquire that depth. In terms of the bullpen and Jeff Hoffman in particular, I think it's fair to define his first season with the Jays as a roller coaster year. For the majority of the playoffs, he was phenomenal. But what have you done for us lately? We remember what happened in the ninth inning in game seven. As of now, he's still your closer.

And I don't know if you're actively trying to change that over the course of the off season, but this is where you currently stand with Hoffman. how much fate do you have in him, you know, controlling that role, being in that role throughout the year, and maybe elevating or being more consistent this year maybe compared to times last year? Yeah, so there's a lot to that. I'll try to, you know, touch on the several fronts there. I think first and foremost in our desire to acquire another closer this offseason, absolutely not.

Like we were open to acquiring really good pitching, and if it came in the form of another closer, I wanted to at least consider that and consider that with Jeff. I was staying in touch with him the offseason and talking to him about different pitchers with closer backgrounds that we were discussing and certainly open to it, and he understood that. But our faith in Jeff, you know, it can't get any higher.

There aren't guys like him. growing on trees that have three elite weapons, really four, because of two different shapes of his heater, and throw it over with such consistency against right-handed, left-handed pitching and handles that stage and the pressure well. Really good athlete, really, really good stuff that loves to throw strikes, and those guys typically fare well. So we feel good about him and feel good about the depth that we've built up

and the great stories and flew and fish last year. And then Tommy Nance having a good year acquiring Tyler Rogers and hopefully we get Yemi Garcia back into the fold here soon. Brendan Little looks like somebody's going to be throwing bowling balls all year that nobody's going to be able to dig out. But we've made it's feeling pretty good about our bullpen right now. Yeah, well, I mean, reasons for optimism, clearly, based on what you saw last year and you guys obviously very happy with your offseason.

and this year, you know, you're the team being chased compared to maybe, you know, chasing over the last few years. Does that change the mentality? Is that a benefit for you guys? How has John Snyder kind of reacted to that situation? Yeah, well, our players realize that our players understand that it's, that it is different, that they will have to not just do what they've always done, that they will have to adjust and adapt and, you know, feeling,

that level of expectation of being the team that is hunted versus hunting is a different feeling as you come into every ballpark in stadium and how people attack you. So I'm confident in the way that our players and our staff is talking about that and understanding that we can't just go about it the same exact way without factoring. You know, we got to be who we are. But we have to understand that it is a different challenge. Well, again, I know you're turning the page on last year, but I think what was incredibly gratifying for Blue J fans was how much your team just dominated the Yankees throughout the regular season, and obviously it continued into the ALDS. Why do you think that happened last year and how can it repeat this year? How do you attack the Yankees again the way you did in 2025?

Yeah, they're a really, really good team. I mean, they do a lot of things exceptionally well. and will continue to do so. So I think the biggest factor is that we enjoy the challenge. And it starts with, you see it in Vladdy, you see it in George Springer, you see it in our pitching staff coming after. They're very talented hitters. And our staff loves that challenge as well.

And I think that's where it starts, and hopefully that will continue. Well, it gets started tomorrow night, not against the Yankee. but they will be in town soon. Again, the World Cup, I'm sure you heard that. I know you're aware of it, Ross. Like it's Yankees, Jay's and the World Cup down the street at Bimo. That's going to be fun. That's a good weekend for overdrive.

Yes, that is right up our alley. Yeah, we are looking forward to that. Anyway, it's great catching up with us always. Congrats on the off season. Good luck starting tomorrow night, and we'll do it again soon. All right, thanks, guys. O-Dog, I got a cut off hoodie coming your way. Dude, I'm telling you, I'm going to get your number, and I'm texting you tonight, Ross.

It's coming to you, man. You sure you don't want a nice golf quarter zip with a polo underneath? What I want to do is set up a meeting with one of the trainers and just kind of find some stuff that really fits my eye, Ross. Don't block his number, Ross. If you can set that up, I'll forever be indebted, buddy. That's all I want. All right, we'll set it up. All right.

Good luck with that, you too. All right. Good luck. Thanks, Ross. Appreciate it. See that? That's all you got to do. Like, you don't, like, I know that makes you cringe.

Yeah, it makes me cringe a lot. It does. be crazy. But it makes me feel good. He didn't ask. He didn't ask. I know, but Ross is, you know, he's being playful. He knows that always waiting for the hoodie or wants a hoodie. Yeah, well, the grapplers got seven of them in his basement. I know.

We'll have to just get another one. Because Ross, Ross can rock a quarter zip with a polo. Like, no. I know for a fact that Ross is a Peter Millar guy. He has to be. Yes. He looks, it looks beautiful. Like the gear they're wearing down there.

Chaparro, they all look good. Yeah, it looks great. agree with you. I think it's Peter Malar across the board. But, O'Dag, just to confirm, you ask for basically, you want the run of their equipment room. You just want, like... I want to go in there with one of my Carolina Hurricanes hockey bags and stuff it full of night stuff

and come home and... Yeah, that's a reasonable request. Just whatever I want. Just, I know you guys are starting a, you know, 162 game grind, but I'm going to pop down there. And I'll just find a way to pick out whatever I want. Whatever you got medium. Yeah, it's all good. Whatever you got in media. Exactly.

All right. Well, thanks to Ross. As long as it stuff doesn't have stains on it, it'd be appreciative. Well, and if it does, you can send it my way. Right. That's basically the way it goes. Did you hear from your wife? Did she find the tie?

No, she's not in the mood. I guess it wasn't a good pickup with the kids. And yeah, it's not. So she said stuff it and don't even ask. Basically, I know that right now. It's like, hey, can you go check to see if my four irons? And you just absolutely chewed out. Yeah.

It was effective. now is not the time for me to go look for O'Dog's tie. So we'll find a time. We'll figure it out. CJ's coming up. Overdrive continues up on YouTube live. All right, CJ coming up. We've got a list for the Blue Jays.

Very positive list. Very positive time. Right? They haven't played a game yet. Coming off a World Series. Going to a World Series. At an active off-season. Everyone feels good, Hayes. I told you. It takes one game for everyone to be pissed off and hate you.

other in the big leagues. Yep, that's right. Everyone's so optimistic, great year. Everyone's going to have great seasons. It doesn't take long. It does not take long. Well, these are the shows people will go back to, right? If they have a terrible season.

Yeah. Well, look at you guys. Everyone said we're so high on the Jays. Yeah, obviously. Like most people are. You have to be a really brilliant contrarian to spin this at like, I think they win 72 games and it blows up. Like it's pretty, you've got to be pretty dark to see it that way, but it doesn't mean it can't happen.

I mean, they did have a lot of guys overachieve last year. Yes, no, for sure. I just, you know, could they win 82, 83 and miss the playoffs? Yes, that absolutely could happen. And they are, they did lose a guy who was their best hitter, literally for years. Boba Chet. So it's not like there's an argument. I'm not saying I'm making it.

I'm saying there is an argument. And now they got arm health issues out of the gate. Okay. All right, Dave. I got you. CJ coming up. Best Betts coming up. Overdrive continues up on TSN4. You've been listening to Overdrive, powered by Fandool. FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score.

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