OverDrive - Phillips on the Blue Jays' roster taking form, Bieber's commanding debut and Raleigh's MVP launch

Episode Date: August 25, 2025

TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips joined OverDrive to discuss Shane Bieber's excellent debut with the Blue Jays, the team's starting rotation, Anthony Santander's injury status and timeline to return, the layout of the lineup in the closing run, Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh's MVP race and who's the frontrunner and more.

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Loud, crowd, and all yours. No passports required, just press play. Tap into Made in Canada now on iHeartRadio.ca. Or the free iHeartRadio app. Joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline, here's our baseball insider, Steve Phillips. How are you doing, Steve? I'm doing great, guys.

Good to be with you. Yeah, great to have you. We're excited up here in Toronto. Shane Bieber not only made his debut, but, man, he looked really good. They got two out of three down in Miami, including Friday night when he won, and he went out there and went deep into the game

and pitched really, really well, and Schneider was pumping his tires afterwards. Is there a glass half? empty element to his start can you pick anything that that wasn't perfect basically across the board no I think that that you know

I did a lot of of work on it last week in anticipation of his start on radio on dot CA I wrote a column and then obviously did a hit on Sports Center and you know what I said was that in his rehab starts he looked like the old

Shane Bieber velocity was where it should be. The breaking stuff was where it should be. The swing and miss was what he used to do. He had picked runners off base, which is one of his strengths of controlling the running game. He's a gold glove caliber pitcher, and he's a first pitch, strike-throwing machine. And that's exactly what he did. I mean, he came out and did all of those things that make him an elite-level pitcher. And it is such a great sign because, you know, look, is he going to hit a dead arm period where maybe he'll run out of gas a little bit? Maybe. then he'll have to just, you know, get a second wind, and he will. But, I mean, if not, I mean, he looks like a guy who's a front end of the rotation starter who could start a game one, two, or three in the playoffs for the Jays.

And that's exactly what they hope they were trading for. Yeah, exactly. And it is early. He's running on adrenaline. It's a new team. But, you know, when you consider the fact that he's not returning to even Cleveland, you know, who's not really playing for anything, if you're returning to a team, you know, like the White Sox or Colorado.

It's literally you're just preparing for next year. You may not even return at that point. How much of the fact that he's on a new team and that they're winning the American League east, they're chasing the top seed in the American League, how much do you think that factors in to keeping the adrenaline going for him and allowing his attitude and his approach to the game to be sharp because he's playing for something. He's not just out there warming his arm up for 2026.

He's got a bunch of new teammates who are. looking at him saying, do we need you every time you're on the mound? Yeah, I think that that certainly has to be part of it. Now, you know, I'm sure he's excited even just to get back on a mound, any mound in any location. You have to have a not fit since April of 24. But I think that, you know, and I think in some ways, I think we have to take note to, for me, it would be a way to make sure you're protecting him.

Don't assume anything about him emotionally. don't assume anything about him physically. Don't assume anything that I think you've got to keep checking in with him because he's such a veteran and he looked like the old guy that he used to be. There could be that assumption that, but not to worry about him. I mean, he's fine. I mean, look at him. It looks great.

It looks like the old guy. Let's just let him go. But I think they need to really make sure that they're protecting him, that, you know, the recovery period between starts is something that's important when you're coming back from Tommy John, that, you know, he may have some days where he feels better than others as he starts to recover between starts. And so I think that, you know, that energy will be there for him, but there will be a start along the way that won't feel like it's his first one back,

that won't feel like, you know, you're battling against the Yankees of Red Sox in a playoff game and where he's going to start against somebody who may not be a great team, but I don't think you can assume that he's going to be okay through all of it. So I think they've got to do a lot of checking in with him. But certainly, you know, this playoff race is going to energize, him and his stuff to another level. Steve, I think it's safe to say that Blue Jays, you know, barony kind of injuries

are fairly set with their starting pitchers. The relievers are maybe an area where they need to find some kind of help. So I know they can't trade for anyone, but how would you approach what's happening with the relievers and try to prop them up so they can meet what the starters are doing here?

Yeah, I think you're right. I mean, it's 6.21 ERA since July 27th for this bullpen. in baseball. And so I think that, you know, they're still winning and they're overcoming that and, you know, the building up margin of error for the bullpen. But I think that, you know, they have to start thinking about what, how they're going to line up their rotation for the playoffs, who's going to go to the bullpen?

And for me, at some point, I do that transition to start to prepare those starters because I think that they're going to have to be like other teams that have been in the postseason where starters become relievers, where starters become answers in the bullpen. And for me, that's going to be lower and that's going to be, you know, Jose Brio's. It's just a matter of when do you make that transition. You know, they've got a couple turns where they've got six straight games on an off day, six straight games and an off day. And then they've got like a Thursday off day, three games against the Yankees and a Monday off day.

And somewhere within there, I think they need to start looking at starters as potential impact pitchers out of the bullpen just to start, one, to get down the stretch here, and two, to get ready for October. Steve, there's a word out of Jay's camp that Anthony Santander's back in Toronto. He's been hitting off high-velocity pitching machines back from the shoulder injury that's kept him out for months now. What would be your level of interest in having him to be part of the ride through the stretch run and into the playoffs if he is healthy again?

Do you think that's plausible that he can contribute here? Or are you more looking, you know, let's get him ready for 2026? Well, I would send him on an extended rehab assignment. You know, I wouldn't just say, oh, you know, let's rush him back in there, give him a couple of bats and run them back in there. They're not in a dire need for that. And so I would want him to go down. You know, the AAA season extends until like September 24th or something like that.

So, you know, most rosters are, you know, they extended the AAA season because they stopped expanding the major league roster to 40 players. So they're going to keep players playing at the minor league level. I'd send him down and make him, you know, show that he's healthy and so that he can produce. And if he goes down there and he's not really hitting that I'm not going to squeeze him into the lineup, this isn't about feelings right now. This is about trying to win games. And so if he goes down there and he starts to crush it, then welcome back. Get in that lineup and go get them.

But if not, then, you know, if the guys who are there who are getting the bat should continue to get those. Steve Phillips are TSM Baseball Insider J's Twins tonight. Vladdy back in the lineup, he'll DH tonight. And I don't think there's any reason to believe he won't be back playing first base, likely this series, certainly by the weekend when Milwaukee's in town. But it does raise an interesting question. You know, like if Vladie is in a basketball,

position where he can only dh he's going to dh which means george springer's going to play i think he's in left field tonight and tie france is going to play first like how i guess bringing the santander conversation into it as we look ahead to a playoff roster if for whatever reason Vlad is in a situation where he's got a dh how complicating how how complicated does that make things for john steiner trying to fill out his roster and his lineup you know depending on who they're going up the right of you, lefty, what have you. But where does France come into play? Where does Springer play in the outfield coming to play?

Where do you stand on that? Yeah, and, you know, and if Santander is hitting, can he get out in the outfield? Right. And put him in a corner. And, you know, if you've got a ground ball pitcher on the mound, can you, you know, and Bieber gets more ground balls and flyouts, can you afford a little less defense in the outfield, a little more offense in the outfield? So I think it's, you know, it's not going to be that difficult because if Vladdy can only

D.H. Then that's what he'll do. And then the rest will be working matchups as to what's the right way to go, understanding that if you get a lead, you're going to get Santander out of there defensively and cover for him in that game. That France would probably get the Abbas at first base in Vladdy's absence. But I'm with you. I think that Vladdy didn't seem to, you know, pull the muscle. I think he tweaked it a little bit. And, you know, if he can D.H., I think it's a matter of days before he can get in there and play first base. But I'm with you. You got to be nimble. You have to be aware.

You have to gauge it. I think there will be times maybe to protect Flattie, even if you come back and play first, that they give them some time off. You know, the other thing that really keep mine, you know, when a guy's de-hching, it's not as simple as, oh, you know, we'll keep him off the speed a little bit. You've got to keep him stretched out and

hot, right? You've got to keep his legs hot, because you're going to have to run the bases if he puts the ball in play. And sometimes, you're better are playing in the field just because you're constantly moving around and, and, you know, your legs are staying stretched out and warmed up. So, you know, they'll manage that. But, look, everybody's gone through this sort of situation with a player before, and I'm sure they'll manage it properly.

Steve, we're about a month left in the Steve and give or take a few days. And, you know, as you look at this Blue Jay team and Schneider, are there areas of the game you like to see them maybe put players in or situations or is he just trying to get as many wins as he can to get across the finish line here. Yeah, there's nothing about opportunity or development that matters right now. You know, in Chicago, it's a white socks, in Colorado, in, you know, Miami, in Washington, you know, they can give players opportunities, they can get a look at a guy, they can give a left-handed hitter, a crack in face of the left-handed pitcher that they

might have earlier in the year when they thought they might compete, you know, have platooned or pinch it for somebody. But I think that the Jays are in a point right now, you know, just like, for instance, the Yankees, you know, the Yankees, Aaron Boone, their manager, benched Anthony Volpe yesterday. And when he was asked about, is it just a day off or, you know, is this a move that you're going to make moving forward? He's like, we'll see.

Because he can't worry about Anthony Volpe and his development right now. You know, he's made 17 errors. He's hitting a little over 200. and sure you'd like to rebuild his confidence to get them on track, but if Jose Caballero can get the job done and you don't want to lose your foothold on your playoff spot, then you play Caboero. And I think it's the same thing for John Snyder.

Whatever best suits this team to win, both in a lineup to start the game and in-game decisions to pitch hit, make a pitching change, whatever, you do it. Hoffman walks a couple guys, you don't leave them out there. I don't. I go out there and get them. And I'll rebuild his psyche. between outings.

I'm not going to do it and try to leave me out there and try to work his way through something. So, you know, every game means something right now, and you can't give anything away. Steve Phillips, the Yankees, I guess, gave away a few games to the Red Sox, you know, gave away that second seat in the American League East over the weekend

by losing three or four against Boston. Of those two teams, with about a month ago, if you're the Blue Jays, who scares you more? in terms of possibly chasing you down. Boston or New York? I think Boston. I do. And, you know, Yankees have more name recognition, and, you know, they've got judge.

But Roman Anthony's a dude. And Jared Duran's a dude. Bregman's a great leader. They've got the ace and crochet who's actually pitching like an ace, where Max Fried fits like one to the All-Star break, but he's not been the same guy since then. And I think that Chapman is the most stable, lever between the two teams, and he's with Boston.

So I actually think Boston right now would be more concerning. You know, the Yankees at times feel like they're competing against themselves. The Red Sox feel like they're just a travel team showing up ready to play, and somebody says, oh, they ask who we're playing today. I'm like, oh, it's the Yankees. Oh, okay, we'll play the Yankees. We don't care. Just tell us who we're playing and we'll go play them.

And I think that they're young enough not to know any better or to overthink it, but really just go out and play and relax. I think Alex Corr has done a terrific job with this young team. Well, we were talking about the MVP pursuit with a month ago, and Judge is still a favorite. Like on Fandul, he's minus 175, and Cal Raleigh's plus 135 right behind him. But for me, I think Raleigh should be the favorite, as far as I'm concerned. Like, he hit 48, 49 last night.

That's a new record at that position. He's got a month ago. I don't think he's going to hit 63 home runs. I don't think he's going to track down Judge's record and catch him or pass him. I just think he's running out of time, but it's possible. Seattle's a half game back in the Yankees, I believe, the position he plays. Where do you stand on it as of today? Raleigh or Judge?

Who's your MVP in the American League? It would be Raleigh for me right now. And, you know, Vegas has it at Judge at like minus 185 and Raleigh at a plus 120 or 115, at least what I saw. You know, in Cal Raleigh, before the game yesterday, a plus 250, and then after the two home runs in the game where he set the all-time record a single season for home runs by a catcher, it would drop to like 1.30, 120, you know, and so the gap has been narrowed.

I think that, I understand why Vegas has it separate, but because Judge is de-hing now with the sore elbow, I think it devalues him a little bit, diminishes his value, and I think there's that recency bias that exists where, you know, writers will look at it and say it's really close. If Seattle gets in the playoffs, what Raleigh did is so unique in record-setting. We've given it to Judge before, let's give it to Cal Rale. And so I do think that Raleigh likely gets it over-judge right now. And I can understand an argument why somebody might vote that way.

Yeah, I'm with you on that. I think, again, we'll see. There's a lot of baseball left to be played. But the Raleigh story is incredible. I mean, the fact that he's doing what he's doing is a switch-hitting. You know, everyday playing catcher. It's pretty incredible, Steve. I mean, we're so used to seeing Judge do what he does,

and we've seen what Otani's been doing. And the fact that it's new blood, and it's a guy that plays the position he plays, and he's a switch hitter, you know, like where do you think this is going a month from now in terms of, you know, all-time great seasons or most unique kind of out-of-left-field seasons considering the way Raleigh's been playing all year.

Yeah, I think, look, I think that, you know, because he doesn't have that pedigree name of Otani and Judge, you know, I always think, well, you know, is it, how great can I say it is? But think about a guy being a catcher and the rigors of doing that. And then doing it out of Seattle where it's the most travel of any team at all of baseball. It puts more stress and pressure on any player than ever. Andy, oh, by the way, he's a platinum glove defensive catcher. And yesterday, when he hit the two home runs, his manager, Dan Wilson,

wanted to talk about how great he was at blocking the ball in the dirt when Logan Gilbert struck out 13 batters, 11 on the slider, and many of which were bouncing in the dirt that he would block keep in front of him for the third strike. And so I think that it is one of the best seasons we've seen in a long time. And, like, we're going to talk about a guy. He's going to probably get to, you know, 55 home run. runs with 30-some games left, at least that, and you start thinking about how close it is to

the American League record for home runs, which is 62, and he did it as a catcher, and he's doing it as a switch hitter. He's going to pass Mickey Mantle for the most home runs by a switch hitter. He's going to have the most multi-homer games for a switch hitter ever when it's all said and done. And so I think that, you know, it's hard to put it in perspective, but I'm with you. I think it's going to go down as one of the best seasons we've ever. seen by a player. Yeah, it's incredible what he's been doing all year. And Seattle and the Hunt, they're currently in a wildcard spot right now.

We're at the Yankees with the Red Sox, and we got just over a month ago. Always great catching up with you, Steve. We'll do it again later in the week. All right, thanks for having me, guys. Appreciate it. Steve Phillips, joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline, Drive the built-in Canada, fuel-efficient, fun to drive Toyota Route 4, gas or hybrid models. Available, visit Maple Toyota.com.

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