OverDrive - OverDrive - September 29, 2025 - Hour 1

Episode Date: September 29, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan for hour one of OverDrive. The guys get into the Jays winning the AL East, who they would rather face in the ALDS, and what impressed them about John Schneider. They then get into the Ryder Cup and how great of a Sunday it was in sports. They wrap the hour up talking about Anthony Stolarz’s contract extension and why it’s such a great deal for both sides before Hayes gives his list of Jays who deserve the most respect.

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This hour of overdrive is powered by Fanduil. Fandull, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. All right, here we go, overdrive off and running. TSN 1050 on the TSN app, your home smart speaker up on TSN4, Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodles, McLennan. What's going on? What's going on? What a weekend we just had? Well, I mean, where do you want to start?

Like, that's the crazy part. Like, you and I were chatting a little bit this afternoon, and I was like, we have so much to talk about. I mean, obviously, I think number one, we know what number one is, right? Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, where are you at with that? They had an unbelievable weekend because the Yankees weren't losing either.

No, that's the amazing thing. I think that's what, listen, you win the American League East, it's incredible. You win your division, period. In any sport, it's amazing. if you if you win it running away there's like a muted celebration that comes with this right because it's a matter of fact like I think the example you could use with the Jays

is when they clinch the playoffs people were not you know dancing in the streets because of course you made the playoffs right we've known about that for a long time but when it's uncertain exactly how it's going to play out or it starts to get dicey and you start to have some dark thoughts it makes it pop so much more.

And I think that's what we experienced yesterday. I think if you're a Blue Jay fan, and I said this on Friday, and at different times last week, there was not a Blue Jay fan on Earth. There was not getting concerned about where this was going because the Yankees were not going to stop winning. Like the Yankees won eight in a row.

They won 11 of their last 12. That's a machine. Full credit to the Yankees. They finished with the same record as the Blue Jays. Right. So unbelievable record for the Yankees, unbelievable pace down the stretch.

Yes, they had a soft schedule, but they still won. Right. So the fact that the Jays, after falling off the wagon a little bit, in Kansas City early against Boston, runs off four straight wins, and yesterday does it in style,

just makes it that much more of like an exhaling relief. You know, and just that much more of a party. Well, I mean, where on your bingo card was Alejandro Kirk, nailing a grand slam and the first inning? Exactly. Like, they're down 1-0 and Gossmann didn't have his stuff and I was like, oh, my God, they're going to lose today. Gossman, their ace, who usually has been dominant, you could see he was fighting it right away. And I was like, okay, what are we doing here? What are we doing?

Down 1-0 chasing it. And the little guy goes up to the plate and knocks one-ne-one. to the moon. I was like, well, like, now I, now I knew they were going to win. That makes it 5-1. Yes. They made it, they made it a little bit interesting at what, 6-4? Yeah, I think it was 5-4-1 point. 5-4, sorry, 5-4 bases loaded. But I'm like, okay, Vladdy, Springer, Varshow, you know, we've seen this.

Kirk wasn't on my bingo card. Well, not, not for a Grand Slam in the first. That's his first career grand slam. Yes. And you had the Varsho Grand Slam against Barsho, Grand Slam against Boston. And then this Grand Slam, like those are two hits

people are never going to forget. You know, like, big moments in a regular season do get lost in the shuffle. You know, like there are certain moments you kind of always will remember. With certain teams, you'll always remember if they made the playoffs for the first time in the long time

or won the division for the first time in the long time, which just happened. But I think there's something about a Grand Slam and the fact that it was so desperate, and it was so needed and necessary. But for him to also step up and hit another home run later in a game and then curtain call and get up there

and actually do it, start blowing kisses to the crowd. Yes. Which I don't recall seeing before. Like I seen curtain calls. I don't remember a guy coming to, you know, top step and blowing kisses to people, which is incredible. I think he didn't know what to do, but I also do believe,

I do believe, like, he had spotted his family or something. because I don't know if you saw the celebration on the look at the Watch this Hey, kisses for everyone But like on the field after the game after the set on the celebration I swear did you see his dad? Like it was it had to have been his dad because it was a spitting image Same size same every same face same everything I'm like

That's his dad in a Hawaiian shirt right beside him And it was unbelievable but you know to do it that type of theater you know the buildings packed you could tell there was some a little bit of nerve you know nervous energy but they did it early and they stuck with it the pitching held up

it was awesome it was amazing awesome it was an awesome party and credit to the Blue Jays and I have a I have a list for you that I'm going to get to this hour yes and I'm trying to figure out how to label this list because I don't want to say

this is a five-pack of, you know, players or, you know, people within the organization that deserve an apology. I think an apology is strong because I think, again, the emotions that were hovering around this team this time last year were 100% justified. Yeah. You know, I don't love the terminology like, get your flowers, but it might land. It might land. But I need to find a way to label this properly.

But basically, you know, I got five guys within the organization that I think. are puffing their chest out today, and I think deserve adulation and deserve some attention compared to where they were coming into this season. So we'll get to that a little bit later this hour. But yeah, the party was amazing. I thought John Schneider handled it really, really well, like incredibly impressive with John Snyder. And the way, listen, he said what he had to say after they lost, you know, all those games against Kansas City and against the Red Sox. And, you know, he said the sky has not fallen. Like we're still leading the American League East, as of right now, we're ahead of the Yankees.

We just got to come here, show up to work, take care of business, play the way we're capable of playing. I'm speaking in, you know, I'm not saying I'm on the team. I'm speaking as if I'm John Snyder, and I thought he handled that incredibly well. And I think that kind of calm presence and sense of belief in the team, which he's clearly had all year, really works. You know, and I thought like Keegan Matheson, our boy, Keegan had a great tweet last night that I think kind of personified that that he said back in spring training he was sitting

there just kind of a private moment him and john schneider talking about whatever they're talking about and uh schneider you know leaned into him and said quote i've quietly got a really good effing feeling about this team seriously end quote um and that you know again everyone feels good in the spring everyone feels good in training camp and spring training you know but that obviously was sincere and it played out throughout the whole season. So full credit to John Snyder and Alejandro Kirk and Springer

and everyone. It was incredible and if you're a Blue Jay fan again, it doesn't happen often. Seven time in franchise history, they've been around for almost 50 years. This is the seventh time they've won the division. Well, and the poise that Schneider showed, a lot of times

if you see a coach, a manager, you name it, back there panicking or the way that they handled themselves in public, If you can tell that they're not confident, it seeps into the room. It seeps into the clubhouse. And the players, they played with poise. Yeah, it wasn't a great little stretch there. That's why they let the Yankees back into it technically because they were gone.

They were in the driver's seat. We joked about that term, right? Driver's seat, no problem, still in the driver's seat, all of that. In the end, they won. It doesn't matter how you achieved it because it's a long season. You've got to play 162 to get it done. Would they have liked to wrap it up earlier so that Gossman probably would have had the day off earlier? Yeah, no problem, but they don't play until Saturday.

Yeah, exactly. You got a lot of time now. Yeah, relax and enjoy it. Bask in it. You earned it, too, without Bow, without, I don't know, you term it too. Was this Vladdy's best, or Vladdy was spot duty, you know? No, Vladdy was not overly helpful. Like, you know, RBI in the first inning, but this was not Vladdy's Sandboys, I got you.

I'm trying to be nice, you know. I think it speaks to how kind of, in a way, I don't like calling it a miraculous season is insulting, you know, but a surprising, surprising season and the details that went into the season were certainly not predictable. Because, yes, down the stretch, this was not, this was not Flattie throwing them on his back and dragging them home. It did not happen. Just at no point in the last three weeks is, body really factored in significantly to this team. Defensively has been good.

He's shown up to the park every single day. I think he's brought leadership in terms of, I'm sure, in the clubhouse, the dugout, his approach, his work ethic. You know, there's so many different details that go into a winning program. You can speak to it. And it's not all just, what are you doing when you're in the batters box? But in terms of, you know, statistics the last few weeks, they're awful. I mean, there's no way to downplay it.

They're awful, yet they still gave them this opportunity to reset now. and come out flying next week. And with Bichette injured for the last three weeks of the year, that's, again, what makes it pretty amazing, yet somewhat predictable because of the way the whole year's played out. Right. You know, it's just, of course, it's Kirk hit in a grand slam. Of course it's, you know, Barger had been terrible

when he had a big hit yesterday. You know, of course, it's Eric Lauer coming in to close the game, albeit, you know, they had a nine-run buffer, but still, Eric Lauer is coming out to finish off. off the game in the night's inning. It just everything they needed this year worked. Where, you know, when you see the Dodgers get in, you're like, of course, they got all that talent and all that payroll.

And if the Yankees get in, well, they're always seemingly getting in. The Jays don't always seem to get the breaks. And they got them this year and they earned them. And they went out there and tarps off. And exactly, and had a party. And now you can party. Like the wild card party or just punching a ticket party as well. one thing.

Winning the American League East at home, that's a party, man. Sure. That's a party they had yesterday. Go enjoy yourself. One thing on Vladdy, before we put that to bed, you know, I don't know if his defense is shined a light on enough. Like, he had to throw to home. That was, I believe, a tying run.

Yes, you're right. A couple weeks ago, brilliant play. Right. Like, he's had so many opportunities or, you know, so many little plays where, you know, defensively, he's done. a great job. And, you know, that may have taken a little bit off of him not cracking 36 this year type of thing because of his rounded game. So I do say that, more of a team game from Vladdy, but looking at that group, they do look like a team. You know, when you look at baseball,

and I've been around a lot of Major League players, and, you know, when I played in St. Louis, we're close with the Cardinals and that. Like, it's a very individualistic sport, even though you play as a team. They look like they enjoy their company. They look like they, you know, are on some, you know, form of a mission here. And that was step one. Now, you got a little bit of here to try and get healthy and to see what happens, you know, and who are you going to play?

It's a Yankees or Red Sox, which is incredible. The fact that those two teams, like, that sets up to obviously be an amazing wildcard series. Who would you rather have? Who would you rather have just for the sake of having it? I think the immediate answer is the Red Sox, but they scare me with Crochet. They scare me with Crochet. Now, he'll pitch in the wild card, so I don't know if he'll pitch twice in the DS.

He may only face him once in the divisional series. So can you survive that? Yes. You know, the thing is the Yankees, and here's where Vladdy comes back into play, he loves playing at Yankee Stadium. And the Js have played the Yankees very well. And they played them very well at Yankee Stadium. And yes, the Yankees have Max Free, but the Jays have hit him. him very well the last couple of times they played him.

Crochet scares me more than Freed. And Freed's in the same situation. If he sets up on the wild card is he going to end up playing, you know, giving you two starts in the Divisional Series. So it's a classic watch what you wish for scenario. There is a part of me that wants the Yankees.

And here's another part of it. Judge in the playoffs has not been great. Like Judge's got a lot of pressure to prove he can be a big time playoff performer and Soto's not there anymore. You know, Soto's gone. The Mets didn't even make the playoffs. Like, who the hell knows where Juan Soto is right now. But

Judge, in the uncertainty of his clutch hitting in the playoffs, the fact that you avoid crochet, the fact that Vladia in particular loves Yankee Stadium, and the idea of the chance of beating the Yankees, as much as beating the Red Sox would be incredible. And seeing playoff games against the socks

at Fenway would be amazing. There's a part of me that would answer that question, say Yankees. Take on the Yankees and Just go in there and be ready to rock. Exactly, because you can set up your rotation now. They won't have that luxury, especially if it goes to a three-game series in the wild card.

And the Jays who played really well at Yankee Stadium, and Vladia in particular loves that park, man. He hits as well as anybody in history of Yankee Stadium. Or real close to it. And they won the seat. There's a reason why. They tied in the standings, but they won the season series. They won the tie break. You've got to feel very comfortable that you can do that or you've done that this season.

So I would like to see the Yankees, too. It just seems, you know, storied franchise, go right at it, head to head. You know, I think there would be a lot of Toronto fans that could make it to New York, although Boston's a quick flight as well, too. You can get to both. Yeah, and vice versa. They're going to come up here, that's for sure. Well, yeah, I mean, fan interaction.

I mean, you know, so be it, New York fans. What do you think your boy Rory and all that? I was going to ask you that. Who do you think partied more? The Js or the Europeans? Oh, the Europeans. Do you think Europe? Well, I mean, I don't know.

Actually, I would say it would be equal, but, I mean, you're a Rory. You go into downtown New York and feeling pretty good. Like, there was some fans chirping him. I saw Tom Watson read an article about him today, like saying he was embarrassed for the, you know, U.S. fans and how hard they were on the golfers. I mean, that's New York. New York fans can be harsh. They can be vocal.

You got to play through it. But, yeah, there was some chirping. Rory had some reactions early on, you know, but they were, they were, listen, it was, it ended up being a tournament. At one point it was a 12-5 and I was like, this is a blow. After Saturday, it was, it was, and it was because Europe just played so well. They did. Like the Americans didn't necessarily help themselves and they couldn't keep up, but Europe was phenomenal. They never missed a put, and they're, like, their foursome, you know, production was just out of this world.

It was out of this world how well Europe was playing, and they just completely spanked the Americans. There's no other way to put it. And it became a formality. I'll be it, you know, credit to the U.S. because they did push on Sunday, and they made it interesting. Yeah, they did. But you're right about the crowds. Like, we talked about this for two years, how crazy the crowds are.

And then they're crazy and people are surprised. Like, literally for two years. Like, oh, you won't believe the New York crowds and Beth Page. They're going to be insane. And it's going to be gruesome and really ugly. And Luke Donald, the captain of the European team, had been preparing this for two years. And then it happens. And people are like,

flabbergasted. I can't believe it happened. And I'm not condoning it. Obviously, we know if there's a line that can be crossed, then anyone that's doing it is a buffoon and an idiot. And they know they're being an idiot, but it is New York. We knew it was coming.

And golfers aren't prepared for that stuff. They're not used to it. Like, everywhere where he goes, he's the bell of the ball, man. Everyone loves Maca Roy. He doesn't get chirped ever. Yeah. Ever. And like, like, go, like, again, I'm, it's not about condoning, it's just a reality.

Like, go talk to some, some, like, relief pitchers sitting in the dugout of Yankee Stadium. Do you know what those guys hear? Yes. Like, do you know what a Red Sox reliever hears in the bullpen at Yankee Stadium? Buffoonery. Believe me. It would be insane what they would hear. How about being a backup goaltender at Madison Square Garden?

Exactly. You're sitting in the corner because there's no room on the bench. And some jackass has had 50 rum and coax. and he feels like he needs to discuss life with you. Like, it's just, it's ridiculous. But New York's known for that, and I would think that they were prepared for it. Didn't they hire a comedian who chirped them and stuff like that?

I do believe that they had, like, some form of, like, preparation for it. But there's no preparing for it. When you're in the heat of the battle, and you've got to make a pot or you've got to make a quality drive, and there are people just giving it to you, like, that's the type of mental fortitude that you have to have as an athlete and you know credit to the europeans they were nailed through i i i thought you know i watched yesterday was a tough coaching day because i was all over the map obviously you're

watching jays and you're watching rider cop like you know that your NFL i don't you know i can't even we'll get to your oh we'll get to the packers later that i have some things to say about them but there was just lots of storylines throughout you know throughout every league and you're just trying to catch up and go oh okay this is great This is great. Right. But it was a great couching day. It was, it was, but it was kind of, it was a weird kind of crescendo in the late afternoon

where you realized the Americans tried, but they're not going to do it. Right, right. So you could switch over. Yeah, you could switch over for some there. Exactly. Tampa's trying, not that you wanted to happen, but if, okay, is it going to be suspenseful or not, nope, they're not going to the Jay's habit. Yeah.

And then the Ravens, Chiefs, which had the potential to be one of the great games of the year, you realize the Ravens don't have it. Wow. Chiefs are just spanking this team. So, like, you got to, like, by 5.30, the Rider Cup was definitely over. The Jay's game was pretty close to being over. But it was a weird kind of, like, finality where you realized, okay, Rider Cup, no. Jay's Ray is not going to be suspenseful.

And Chiefs Ravens not going to be suspenseful. I kind of kept flicking around because I kept thinking, now's the time I'm going to miss some sort of crazy comeback or something. and I'm like, okay, I'm going to miss it. No, no, no, J's are in good shape here. Keep extending the lead. You're right. Like, Lamar, like, you know, I'm concerned about the Ravens now. I am very concerned.

Like, remarkably concerned because they've got a lot of injuries now defensively and the defense wasn't great anyway. And if Lamar is out for a couple of weeks, like, I don't know what went on there. And, like, for him to leave the game, it's not, it doesn't happen often for quarterbacks, like, unless it is a pretty bad injury. So you would presume something's going on there. And if it is, and they're one in three. And guess who's sitting at top the AFC North?

The Steelers are three and one. Rogers is slinging it. He's having a party over an island. He looks good. And the Ravens are legitimately in big, big trouble. Like, it's a full-blown panic now. And, you know, good on Mahomes on the other side. Yes, they look really good.

Made a statement and said, okay, enough with the whispers here the last two weeks and all of that. Like, I'm going to let you know I'm still alive. here and still the goat type of thing. I mean, there was good storylines in the NFL. I mean, the bills just, they just do it. Yeah, for a little bit tight at time with the Saints, but that was never going to be a game. They're just too good, and the Saints stink.

Too good. And Josh Allen's. Yeah, you're right, though. Like the Chiefs, man, because what happened with the Ravens, back-to-back weeks, Detroit and Kansas City, they just beat them up. Yeah. And that's a bad sign.

And that's what would scare hard about. The injuries for sure, but you got beat up. At the line of scrimmage, you got beat and you got hurt. And that's, that's, trouble if you're the Ravens. So Luke Wilson coming up at five. I do have one thing for you. I thought the Stollars signing was unbelievable. Yes. Let's come back and get into that. I want to get into the Stollars signing. I want to get into my five pack. We're still finding a way to name this, but five members of the Blue J organization who are feeling it today. Yeah. Yeah. And

for sure. Deserved to considering where we were this time last year. So we'll get to that. Luke's coming up. Steve Sands will join us from the Golf Channel. Sanzi was down there at Beth Page. He'll join us in just over an hour. The O-Dogs off again today, right? The O-Dogs off today, but hopefully we're going to get him back soon. And Luke Wilson coming up just after five. Overdrive

continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN4. Overdrive continues, powered by Fandul bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Luke Wilson in here at five, we've got two games tonight. That means Al's brother and I have to pick, and Tim Owen Wilson will be

on the clock. I wouldn't say these are exactly barn burner games. Like Jets, Dolphins is just a disgusting game. Cincinnati, Denver. Cincinnati without borough. You know, it's okay, I guess. I guess we'll watch. And I will. I'll watch

it. It's gross, but I'll watch every single snap. Yeah. So we'll get to those games at five with Luke. Steve Sands in about an hour. So Anthony Stollars, we were wondering what was going to happen with him in his contract, and he ends up signing for four years, $3.75 million.

Works out to $15 million total. It's a great deal. $15 million total. So a great deal for both parties, one party? Both. Both parties. Okay, so here's why. And we had this debate.

I think you had your, with Sarah Davis, hot or not comment or whatever about it. Like, you know, when other goaltenders were signing, you know, everyone's like, oh, you've got to give him $5 million or $6 million. He played 34 games career high last year, but was fantastic in those games. Like his numbers were off the charts. This is a guy at 31 years old. What you are is he's matured into a very, very good goaltender because he's been around the league and he was traditionally a backup.

Now he's in a situation where he's not only in a tandem, but he can be your one. So you're giving him some stability and net, a four-year deal. deal, but the Leafs have stability. Now, this is a guy that, for the most part, if he's healthy, he can play every night or close to it. Now, can he get to 50 games, 55, whatever? We'll see this season. Right now, he's the guy with Joseph Wohl, not available to the team.

You've got the Hilda Beast, and you've got James Reimer. And James Reimer, I think, is going to, I'd be shocked if he doesn't get a game here in the preseason or at least get a little bit of a look. but you've got a guy that has proven that he can play a really high level at 3.75. That's what third and fourth liners are making in the league. I think it's an unbelievable deal from the organizational standpoint, but from a guy who's never signed for massive money either. That's $15 million he's putting into his pocket in the next four years.

He might have been able to get more, to be honest. I think if he played out the season and decided I'm going to be unrestricted, You could probably go somewhere and get something with a four in it or maybe a five in if you have a great season. But he showed allegiance to the Leafs that brought him in last year. He knows it's a good situation. I think it's a win-win. It's an unbelievable deal.

Well, and I think that last point is important because with the Marner exit, you know, there's a lot of emotion in the market. And you hear this from people. And it's always ignorant and quite frankly wrong. Right. You know, the market's too tough. Run people out of town.

Stollars couldn't wait to sign, he signed. Nyes couldn't wait to sign, he signed. Tavaris couldn't wait to sign he signed. Yeah. Right? Like McCabe a year ago couldn't wait to sign, he signed. Like I could go on and on and on the amount of players that are... Domi.

Don't me. I could go on and on and on the amount of players that couldn't wait to re-sign or couldn't wait to stay here or wanted to stay here, got deals done. And are there... Is it different for a... everyone, of course. And this isn't about Mitch, like Mitch, okay, he chose, he wanted to go, but don't, that doesn't mean

this isn't just crazy, and it's not a good place to play, or the players aren't insulated, or they don't feel protected, or they don't feel like they're in a good spot, because there's a longer list, a much longer list of players dying to stay or dying to sign here, than there are that want to leave, or

don't want to be here. And this is another example of it. I would circle, and this is unfair, but I'm going to point it out. A guy like Philip Gruberauer That guy left a Stanley Cup winning team You know Philip Grubauer Good goaltender Left Colorado to go to Seattle

Go to Seattle Got an extra year, a little extra money He was available to the whole league Because Joey DeCord is their guy You know so he got a little bit more money And some security A little bit more security But he went to a team that was an expansion team

And they've taken their lumps And I don't know if they were a playoff team again this year Where he could have stayed in Colorado in a really good situation and why I'm comparing that you know it's apples to oranges but it's more Anthony Stolars knows what he has

here it's got a good team good defense great coach all of that type of stuff knows how to play behind it like why not stay and why not say yeah give me four years but I want a number I need 15 million okay let's work it out yeah and that's what I figured was the bold number

I thought he'd be thinking 20 million bold yeah and maybe the least least were thinking, maybe the least were thinking 10 or 12 and they met somewhere in the middle. It ends up with 15, right? It ends up a 15 million bold number. And he got trade protection, which again, I think the lease, I guess, felt they had to throw in there to get the cap hit down. Listen, I do think, I think it's a win for the team, the cap hit clearly. It's a win for the player of the term. That's a long, like he's got this year and now, he's got five years left for a 31-year-old who, like you said, you know, has not had a ton of

runway as the starter but he's he's kind of avoided betting on himself like there's two ways to look at it you can bet on yourself or you can say you know what i just want to i want to get this done and a lot of players are different we talked to ray for years and ray always said he hated playing in his last year of his contract it just was going to mess with his psyche he'd prefer the security go out there and play but i think you're right like if stolers if he got to let's say 40 starts this year and his numbers were anywhere close to the way that they were the last two years, he would make more money. He would make, in a 32

team league, he would get more money somewhere else if he hit the market. There's no doubt in my mind. Now, conversely, he has injuries and his numbers inflate. Maybe he wouldn't get 15 million total. So there's always a gamble both ways. I think it's very reasonable, and I think what is flipped here and what Leaf fans

are adjusting to is tree living's getting deals that are appropriate. Like what has happened here is Stolar's, nis, taveras, The Leafs are no longer living in this world that they created. And I think it was the guy at the top. Not even the guy, the intermediary guy.

I don't, like, I'm not even talking dubus here necessarily. I think it was Shanahan who gave, who gave off this impression like you've got to overpay. Or these guys are never going to want to stay. And we, you know, you just get it done. Make sure they're happy. And what Tree Living has done here with the Nye's deal, the Tavaro's deal, and now the Stolar's deal is those are. They're planned by the same rules as Carolina, as Florida, as Nashville, as Seattle, as Vancouver, like all these other teams that are like, we're not paying you at Toronto under the bright lights tax because it's so hard here we get to overpay you. We're not doing that.

Like, that's not going to happen. Like, we're going to pay you appropriately. And I think that's what has happened here. And that's a good sign for the leaves because it was long overdue. They were handing out deals. They were losing deal after deal after deal. And it's not that the player didn't match it at some point. Right.

And I get it. It's complicated with superstars. Like with Matthews and Marner and Neeland, it's complicated. But you can't, you can't sewer yourself at the negotiating table and then expect to win on the ice. It's got to be balanced. And that balance has arrived here. You're right. And it is specific to every player.

Remember we had conversations where, you know, Timo Meyer scores 40. Willie gets to 40. It's like, well, Willie needs 11 and a half. Myers takes nine. Right. You know, and you're like, what's going on. Yeah, exactly. But what Trees done is paying these guys what they want appropriately within the structure of the team.

You're right. There's no extra Toronto tax. I always say it. And I grew up in Evanton. There probably is a little cold weather tax there, maybe Winnipeg. there's some marketplace that you might have to pay a little bit more to attract. Now, McDavid, the Golden Goose being there, has attracted some guys on value contracts. But outside of that, Toronto's built a winning program where people want to be there because

it's like, hey, we've been in the playoffs nine years in a row. I want to be a part of that. It's not, hey, we're hoping to make the playoffs a wish and all of that. You've got structure in place. You've got a great coach. To me, there's a lot of factors that check things off to come to. to Toronto, and other organizations have created that. Yes, Dallas and Tampa, there's tax and, you know, tax things.

Sure, and that applies in some areas, sure. But ultimately, those are good programs, too. Tampa's got a great program. So is Florida, so does Dallas. But in the end, you nailed it. This is not overpaying, but it's just, it's appropriate for the player. It's a level playing field. Exactly.

And it should be a level playing field, especially when it's your own guys. That's what's important. Could there be a tax in free agency, getting someone that's not familiar with any place? Yes, that can happen. Yes, and then you've got to make the decision. Am I comfortable doing that or not as the GM? Do I want to pay him a million dollars more than I value him at? You've got to make that call.

That's what you get paid money for. That's what the 32 GMs have to do. But to keep your own people, the idea that they keep pushing the envelope on a tax, that's what was troublesome. That's where the Leafs kept jamming themselves and being like, we've got to pay this guy more than he should be getting paid when he wants to be here. And what the Leafs have done, clearly, again, yes, they've won.

I understand in the playoffs. I get it. They got to own that. They got to change that reputation. But they have been in the playoffs nine straight years. That's more than any other team in the NHL. And they have a first class infrastructure that very few teams in the league have. Very few in terms of, in terms of, you know,

what they supply the players, what they have available for the players, how the players are treated on the road, how they're treated when they show up in the morning. The resources are borderline unparalleled. There's some teams that can match it, but the Leafs, they treat their players incredibly well. They treat them very well. And what should come with that is a level playing field. That doesn't mean they should be expected, the players should be expected to give back a ton. In some cases, they have.

You know, Tavares, again, if he hit the market, he would have made more money than he got here. He wanted to stay. Right. Okay. But even that is an example of what we're talking about, where the Leafs are understanding of that. They're going to pay it.

I'm not going to pay a million dollars, million five. But, you know, you've got to throw us a bone here a little bit. You had a good run for seven years. You want to be here for another four or five? Throw us a little bit of a bone because we've treated you so well. To the credit of John Tavarcy, he did that. And he's not complaining about anything. He's not standing inside the bank saying,

Hey, everyone, come look at my statements now. He's playing. He's showing up, and he's working hard, and he's a part of the lease. And that's what he wanted. Yeah, I agree. I just think it's finally now that you can call it maybe a market correction. Like, because what you talked about where, you know, guys were getting overpaid or whatever, they had their own internal salary cap that was really high.

That's what was out of whack. Because Tampa had one. Boston had one. All these other teams seemed – Florida seemed to have one. Well, Toronto had one that just seemed to be inflated. So each guy's like, well, why wouldn't I ask for that? That's, you know, my teammate, I'm as good as that guy. It's probably between Marner and Nylander going, well, I need that because that guy needs that.

And he just signed, so I got to go higher. So that's what was happening. Now, with Tavares coming, you know, where he is in his age and his career, that was an easy one, a market correction. You want to stay, you're going to chop your salary in half or less than that. And it's a great deal for what he's going to bring to the team. table. Willie, a year from now, two years from now, is going to be a bargain at 11.5 because the salary cap's going to be at $120 million. Austin, you know, he's, again, you're going to have a couple real good years of Austin at what, is he, 13? 13.5, I think, yeah, 13.25. You know, that's

going to be appropriate for what a superstar brings to the table. It's just, it was the, the next level where you're like, well, that guy doesn't deserve six or seven. Like, let's hold on a second here. So trees reset that marketplace. And it's going to help with the depth of this group. And I keep saying he's not done. Like there's going to be somebody else that he acquires. I don't know. Do you watch

the game Saturday night? Let me again. Throwaway game. The prop, like they win on the road, they're losing home. When they have a borderline American hockey league team, they win. When they have a borderline NHL team, they lose. Like, that's the nature of the preseason. Yeah, it is. And, you know, that's

probably going to be it for Stollars. And Matthew's going to play one more time, I think, on Thursday, and he'll be done. And, you know, for the veterans, they're just trying to get through. It doesn't really matter. What I found interesting was, it felt like it was the Lane Hudson night and story. And a lot of the players were being asked about Hudson. And, man, were they complimenting him? But I think it's deserved.

It is weird. The way he plays and dances and walks the line. But after the game, that's what, like, asking Joshua and asking Waw. I know. What do you think of Lane Hudson? But let me ask you this. When's the last time somebody outside of Toronto was being asked about in Toronto? It's usually the other way.

You know, you're in Calgary going, what do you make a Matthews four goals the other day? You got Michael Backland going, oh, I saw that. It was pretty cool. In Toronto, we're talking about, now, Lane Hudson was playing against Toronto, but it's still, it was a unique turn for me because that's rare that so much gushing was done over an opposing player. in this market usually it's vice versa you're right it's tough to infiltrate the market when there are other stories to talk about right you know and and i think it kind of might speak to what's going on in the market like the stolars news it it's out and uh you know it was i guess

still hanging over on saturday but it was it was more of a story like as a camp open you know and it seemed like a formality that the job was going to get done and the contractor would get sign. But I think it kind of speaks to where the Leafs are at, that it's pretty quiet, pretty positive. You know, like there hasn't knock on wood for the Leafs, there hasn't been any injuries or anything, and

you know, everyone's got their deals and there's a few pending UFAs at the end of the year, but for the most part, everyone's pretty secure, right? Perube's got a pretty calm tone and he's working them and he's on them, but it's a different feel.

Like we had Jonas in last week, and he said, that himself, and he's around the team as much as anyone, and he couldn't put his finger on it, but it just felt different, and I think it's just, it's calm and quiet, and maybe that's an example of it. Yeah. Another guy comes to, now, it is Lane Hudson, it is the Habs,

Saturday night Leaves Habs. Yes. And he, you know, again, he had some really nice plays and he was kind of dancing on Saturday. But it does speak to it that, hey, let's talk about this guy, because with the Leaves, it's kind of very, it's very relaxed right now where they are in camp.

It's internal battles. You're going, okay, what's going to happen with Robertson? What's going to happen with Cowan? And it looks like Cowan's got the inside track on that. Like as of now, Cowan with Lottin and Lorenz on the fourth line seems very likely. Yeah. As of now. Yeah.

And if he can settle in and push up the lineup, they do have some flexibility with him. But it would be interesting to see what they do with the camps and the yarn croaks and guys like that to see if they either slide them through waivers, they keep them, or they put Cowan down to keep that roster spot until the season starts and if there's an injury, all that types of stuff. Like, I know that's what Tree Living and his management group have to go through. But I think, you know, the storyline, it's so funny. I got to ask today, you know, what do you make of Lane Hudson not being invited to Team USA camp, and what of him not being on the TSN top 50?

I was like, oh, double shot. I go, I voted for him. Like you're Bill Guerin. Yeah, you're Bill Guerin and you're a TSN voter. But I, you know, I can't remember. Did you have him on your list? I did, actually. And I've joked about this because you could just lie.

Yeah, you could just lie. Oh, yeah, I had Nicholas Wan on my top 50. Like, you could just make it up, and no one's going to go and track down your list. I did have him in my top 50. Adam in the 40s. Yes. But Hudson, man, to me, the way he played last year, if he keeps up that level of confidence, he's going to be one of the 50 best players in the league this year.

Yes. I fully believe that. I believe this is the last year. of him being disrespected if you call it because if he doesn't make Team USA it's just the depth there he'll have if he stays healthy

have an amazing year put up a bunch of points all of that he'll climb to that next stratosphere so I would argue he will be on if he doesn't make the next this team USA he'll be on the next one and he will be in the top 50 for many years at TSN so unfortunately

it's just probably a four month you know disrespect for his respectful. There's the name of my list coming up. Put some respect on my name. These are the five members of the Blue Jays, because one of the more hilarious interviews ever,

when the Birdman went in with the Breakfast Club in New York back in a day. That put some respect on my name. So we're going to put some respect on the names of five members of the Blue Jays. We'll do that. Luke's coming up. We've got Steve Sands coming up. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN4.

All right, Luke Wilson, in about 15 minutes, double shot Monday night or tonight, Battle of the O and three teams, the dolphins and jets, someone's got to win, but maybe not. Maybe we learned that last night.

Maybe they don't have to win. I hate these ties. I literally hate these ties. You're looking at both of their records now, and there's a one in there. One, two, and one. Packers are two and one, and one. Cowboys are one, two, and one.

It's ridiculous. Yeah, it's a really weird ending, and there was no urgency from the packers. It was like they were playing for a tie, and then they got lucky they got a tie. It was just buffoonery at the end of the game. And we'll get into that with Luke. Luke coming up in 10. Steve Sands in about 40 minutes.

All right, put some respect on my name list. Yes. All right. The Birdman once said that famously with the breakfast club. Put some respect on my name. All right, I got a five-pack players, managers, GMs in terms of the Blue Jays today compared to where they were last year. Number five, I had Bobichette.

Okay. Beau Bichette last year did not have a good year. Did not have a good year. Injury riddled the year. I believe he was a negative wins above replacement. It was a mess. It was a mess for Bo. And at that point, it felt like a foregone conclusion.

He didn't have a future with this team. You know, who's going to pay him and what are they going to pay him? Hayes' list put some respect on my name. Well, people are talking about you should trade him and get something back for him. Right. break up, you know, him and Vladi type of thing. Like, there was, he was in a dark place, and I think the fan base was in a dark place with him as well last year.

Absolutely. And he completely redeemed himself. He was phenomenal this year. Injury notwithstanding, but he can't control that. Play at the plate. That's another reason maybe where you want the Yankees, right? We'll see the Yankees. Again, we'll meet you at home plate, Yankee Stadium,

where you took out Boba Shed. So Bobichette at 5. Number four, I got John Schneider. John Snyder. Now, some people might say you should be higher on this list, and that's possible, but I think it'll make sense once I get to the three guys in front of them. Now, Schneider, classic case of the Jays. The Jays, you know, historically have had managers that have kind of just managed here,

and they haven't really gotten jobs anywhere else or had success anywhere else. Bobby Cox, notwithstanding, John Farrell famously got plucked and went to Boston, won a world series, but then that disappeared for him. But Cedogaston, no, John Gibbons, no, John Schneider. And it was like, all right, here's a guy who's been. in the minors forever. Is he going to win? Can he win? Is he just going to be a lackey for the front office? And this

year, he stepped up big time. Now, he's always been a likable guy. That's why I got him at four. And again, I don't think it was his issue why everything went awry last year, but he didn't help. And this year, I think he's gone with gut instinct. He has not been dealt with a great hand in terms of the

bullpen and their performances. And he's had to dance around that consistently all year. And I think he's done the best possible job you could in that scenario. And I think he's really made a name for himself. I think this was a huge season for John Snyder. He's made it this year. So John Snyder at four.

Big time. I really enjoy his body. Yeah, he's done a great job. This one, this might surprise some people. I got Ross Atkins at three. I think a lot of people would have thought Ross might be at the top of this list. But I got Ross at three. Now, Ross is a tenured gym.

He's been here for a long time. Yes. Right? And they have made the playoffs before. but this year, a lot of the work he did last offseason has not really done anything for them this year. Santander obviously has not done anything. They brought back Garcia, he's been hurt.

Scher didn't pitch really the first half and then was good for a while. And then recently it's really been a struggle for him. Hoffman was actually a lot better recently. Credit to Jeff Hoffman, a lot better recently. But we know he's blown saves, giving up a lot of home runs. ERA hasn't been great. but the youth in the system that he is responsible for he's been here so long

the contract he gave to Alejandro Kirk before the year unbelievable work considering the way Kirk has played this year his faith in a lot of these guys including John Snyder Ross Atkins put some respect on his name what a turnaround this year compared to last Ross Atkins at three deserves a lot of respect and the fact that you know some of the moves that didn't make you know like

the Otani all of that chasing that. People were all over him, but he's stuck with the team. He's been patient. The deadline, he went out and got Shane Bieber. That was a risk-reward move. It's been a great move for them, a great move going out and getting Shane Bieber. All right, at number two, Alejandro Kirk. Again, when he signed that contract, people wondering what's going on. The last couple of years, he's not been good, especially at the plate. Like, his batting statistics have been terrible. Remember the Gabby Marino trade? Everyone was like, how do you move off Marino? How do you move off Danny Jansen? A lot of people in Toronto thought you're stuck with Kirk.

How can you pick him? And look what he's done this year. He's been phenomenal. He started more games that at any point in his career, he's been healthy, massive hits, including the Grand Slam yesterday in the home run. Alejandro Kirk at two. Unbelievable redemption put some respect on his name. And number one, George Springer.

I was going to say. Got to be Springer, right? George Springer just had statistically one of the best years in Blue Jay's history. The only, and he's, but a guy is somewhat injury prone since he arrived in Toronto. The only thing that could knock him out was a fastball to the head. Yes. Right? That's the only thing that knocked him out this year.

That took a 95 mile an hour fastball off the head. That's the only thing that knocked him out. And a guy has been so consistent all year. They're clearly their MVP. Their best player, you know, DH, he's reclaimed the leadoff role, which he had when he arrived and he lost, deservedly so because he's played the last two years. numbers off the charts hitting from power look at this since the all-star break his ranking

his average 369 second in baseball is on base percentage first his slugging first obviously is OPS over 1100 since the all-star break OPS and he's 36 years old too that's the thing like he was an afterthought coming in the season he really was like how are you going to hide him in the lineup what are you going to do with Springer's contract well and literally their most important player

every time you've needed something big emotional or an actual play, he's the guy who's delivered. George Springer. George Springer put some respect on his name. The Birdman. George, the Birdman Springer at the top of the list. So there it is. That's your five-pack.

We'll get to something to chew on, brought to you by Boston Pizza on. Who could be the third starter for the Jays going into the ALDS? Luke coming up, Sanzi coming up, our best bets hour two next. You've been listening to Overdrive, powered by Fandul. Fan Duel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Seasoned gamer, or just video game curious, this weekend gaming is the podcast for you. We break down the latest in the world of video games, from basics to beyond. The hottest gaming news, insight and industry leaders, and more weekly.

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