OverDrive - Verlander on the Blue Jays' successful run, the trade deadline outlook and the American League overview

Episode Date: July 8, 2025

MLB Analyst and Host of the Flippin Bats' Podcast Ben Verlander joined OverDrive to discuss the Blue Jays' red-hot streak, the stance in the AL East, George Springer not. being selected in the MLB All-Star Game, Toronto's placement in the American League landscape, Jacob DeGrom's trade value, Shohei Ohtani's dominance and more.

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The station that champions Canadian music. Loud, proud, and all yours. No passports required. Just press play. Tap into Made in Canada now on iHeartRadio.ca. Or the free iHeartRadio app. Ben Verlander is here, MLB analyst and host of the Flippin' Bats podcast. Ben, how are you?

I'm doing great. Thanks for having me. Ben, we were just talking about some of the most shocking moments in sports history. One where you get the notification or, you know, back in the day it came across the ticker on TV. Is there one that sticks out to you from a baseball perspective where your eyes almost fell out of your head when you saw the breaking news? Yeah, that's a great question. I think the Soto trade a couple of years ago comes to mind when, you know, him and Josh

Bell and that crazy package deal going to San Diego. I would say that's the big one. When it comes to the Yankees as well, I think the Garrett Cole acquisition a few years ago, I remember where I was when that happened. I was like, oh, well, that's a pretty big pickup. But yeah, it's always funny where you remember where you are when certain things happen.

I thought maybe you're too young for this, but when the announcer on Major League Baseball is an American network, I can't remember the network, said, the World Series will go north of the border for the first time. That had to be stunning for an American. 100%. Yeah. We're going back there, Ben. We're going back north of the border for the World Series this year?

How do you feel about these Blue Jays right now? They've won nine in a row and looking like the bell of the ball when it comes to baseball to certainly the AL East. Yeah. I think this team that's been the same core and essentially, for the most part, the same team for the last couple of years is a team that I really believed in a couple years ago. And I remember I kind of went out on a limb, I guess, in 22 and said, I think the Toronto Blue Jays are going to win the division.

And it just kind of didn't work out for whatever reason. It feels like that's been the same case with this team for the last couple of years is there's just a lot of potential, in my opinion, with a team for the last couple of years is there's just a lot of potential in my opinion with a team that's built around pitching and a really good young core and look for whatever reason they just haven't figured out how to win and I talk about that often around the league as teams you just have to know how to win so it's not like I've just given up in believing on this team and the core that they've built and the team that they are. I do still really like the talent and a lot of the acquisitions that they've made over

the last couple of years. And it just seems, and all it could take is really a winning streak like this that includes sweeping a team like the New York Yankees in your own division and obviously a rival and a competitor at the top of that division. So it just seems like so much confidence has been gained over this nine game win streak. And yeah, I absolutely believe with the way this team is built with really good solid pitching and obviously some stud bats in the lineup, this team could absolutely do some damage. You got to get to the playoffs, but come playoff time i i believe they could do damage they talk about you know knowing how to win learning how to win

a year ago this blue jays team was nineteen and thirty in rule one run games this year there's sixteen and ten uh... as the yankees are struggling in these close games that i get twelve and eighteen and one runners uh... you know how do you sort of quantify that what what makes a team good struggling in these close games. I think they're 12 and 18 in one runners.

How do you sort of quantify that? What makes a team good in close games in your observation? Yeah, there's a degree of back into the bullpen, guys. When you're winning or losing a game by one run, it's oftentimes being the decisive run is scored somewhere in that seventh, eighth, ninth inning. So there's a degree of it being like you needing good back into the bullpen guys, but a lot of it is mental.

Everything changes in a tight game, not just for pitchers, but when you go up to the plate, let's say it's a tie game, runner on third, less than two outs. I remember the feeling all too well, probably because I punched out too many times in those situations. But it's a tight situation and everything changes mentally in a tight baseball game and you put a little more pressure on yourself. So, um, I think what's changing is the confidence to be able to win the confidence of that guy

in the box to be able to drive in a run, the confidence of the guys in the eighth, ninth inning that they've done it more often than not this year. So why, why can't you do it again? So yeah, you know, I think it's that. It's a combo of back end guys and just the confidence to be able to win those games is huge. So bear with me here. Your power rankings have Detroit number one, Houston number two, Dodgers number three, Philadelphia number four, Chicago number five, Toronto number six, the Mets seven, the Yankees eight, ninth is Tampa and 10th is Seattle.

How do the Jays move up? Yeah, well one, the week prior, they were right on the cusp for me, right around that 10, 11, 12 spot. And I think what won a nine game winning streak pushes you way to the top, especially when you sweep the Yankees in there. And I think now, you know, I absolutely think,

if we're talking about hottest teams in baseball right now, they're number one, right? Like they're the best team in baseball over the last couple of weeks. And I think just continuing to play the way they have, it doesn't take an 18 game win streak to go higher in the rankings. It just takes continuing to play well.

And going from outside of the top 10 to number six is quite the boost. But you look at the teams that are right in front of them in terms of the Cubs and the Phillies, you know, I think they can absolutely can, can compete with those teams. So just continuing to play well, continuing to pitch and, uh, with, with George Springer doing what he's doing, that and the pitching just keeping them in games they can they can win on any given night and right now it's been it's been nine in a

row and who knows how long it could go but absolutely could see them moving up next week honestly. Yeah Springer's a guy a lot of people upset with here in Toronto that he didn't make the All-Star game and you know you go you look at the numbers to get the second best OPS among all outfielders in the American League I mean when you talk about guys who are amongst the biggest snubs where does he rank for you? Yeah, glad you asked. Number two I literally just came out with a list. I can't believe that George Springer isn't an All-Star. I love George Springer. I got to know him well when he was in Houston.

He's a great, great, great human and he's a great baseball player and he absolutely deserves to be an all-star. I can't fathom that he's not. You know, you mentioned his ranks second when it comes to the American League and outfield in a lot of categories and you just immediately know that that's behind Aaron Judge.

I mean, when you're saying you're second and number one is Aaron Judge, I mean, you're, you're in really good company. So I can't quite, I can't believe it. I guess if I could put a reason to it, it's that his really, really hot stretch has come in the last couple of weeks and the reserves are voted for by players. I imagine a lot of guys already casted their vote by the time he really got hot. But you know, he was having a really good year even before this stretch. It's just been on another level lately.

So absolutely should be an all-star. Hey Ben, when you look at your power rankings and you look at the landscape of the American League, I mean, we've been in this conversation and we're going to be in this conversation until the trade deadline on July 31st of how Aggressive the Blue Jays should be how wide open the American League may or may not be for them to walk through the door and Finally win it after a long long time Like how realistic is it in your mind that a team like the Blue Jays? Could be the American League champions by the end of it all?

Yeah, look, the American League is wide open. And I don't think coming into this year I would have put them in that top two or three, but you have to imagine that's where they are now. I think they're in that top three conversation, certainly in top five teams that could win the American League. Houston doing what they're doing, Detroit doing what they're doing, and then it's kind of a free for all from there. And you could put the J's in that number three spot right now and it'd be tough to not agree, especially with the pitching the way it is.

Over on the National League side, it's kind of a different story. It's like an arms race over there and there's a lot of teams in every division that's capable of a different story. It's like an arms race over there and every there's there's you know, a lot of teams and every division that's capable of winning a lot of games in the playoffs. The American League is a bit weaker this year and that's why I think when it comes to the American League and it comes to this trade deadline, I really don't see a reason to not be aggressive if you're a team that you believe in already that has the potential and is playing well. And I think the Jays are in that spot if you're a team that you believe in already that has the potential and is playing well and I think the Jays are in that spot if you

ask me. I think this team has the makings and the blueprint of what it takes to win in October. It just hasn't worked out for the last couple of years. Well things just feel different right now and I know we're in the midst of a nine-game win streak and there's a lot of highs and there's a lot of lows and there will be more lows but it just feels different and it feels like this team knows how to win and it feels like in a weak American League in a winnable division right now and a winnable American League as a whole it feels like a no-brainer to go all in at the trade deadline and really put yourself in a position to do some damage

come October. I mean really if you look at this over the last six weeks this situation has changed remarkably a lot of things that couldn't happen are now happening and literally everybody in this on this roster is contributing including I mean you almost want to look at the call-ups from Buffalo because soon as somebody gets in that blue jay uniform they they deliver what is there any part of this that you're somewhat, or at least maybe a little bit skeptical about? You know, yes to a degree, I guess just because

I think it's easy to get excited when you're on a nine game winning streak, and I think they do have weaknesses if I were to look around, but like so does everybody. There's not a team out there right now that you can't say they need some help here. I mean, every team that's really good and in contention would love some middle relief help

or a dominant back end of the bullpen guy or some starting pitching depth. And I do feel like those are some of the concerns I would want to address if I'm the Blue Jays. So do, do I think any, by any means that this is just some lucky winning streak? I don't, I have no, I really don't have any concerns that this team is legit and that they're good and that they have the makings of being what,

what I believe is a really good baseball team, which is some stud arms at the top of a rotation check, some dominant, you know, Vladdy Jr., George Springer as a doing what he's doing. A better year from Bo Bichette. I think the offense has the makings of being really good and you know, back into the bullpen is getting it done. So, you know, I do have some worries with the team and with the roster But I don't think by any means this is a fluke the Toronto Blue Jays are legit. There's no way around that Yeah, what's kind of crazy is like you look at that date May 28th since then the team 27 and 10 and

Vlagaro jr. Ranks just sixth on the team and wins above replacement Like that just speaks to the depth that that this roster and this team has right now. 100%. I think when you look around, they're getting a lot of production, really, up and down the lineup. And that's what it takes right now. Obviously, with this winning streak, you're getting production from everywhere and to the stats that you just mentioned.

It's huge. I mean, coming into this year, you're expecting Vladimir to be the guy that if you're going to be any good, you need him to be great. And he has been really, he has been good. But the fact that he is where he is in terms of team's overall offense, it tells you everything you need to know about where this team is. I've said it really since he signed there I know there's been

And some down years, but George Springer is huge for that team as George Springer goes that offense seems to go So having somebody on base having him, you know Hit at the top of the lineup with with some pop and with and and can run the base as well and can get you four hits a night. If he's capable of going four for four, he's not just a power guy. He can get on base, he can hit for a high average. So this year, I think we're seeing him be that catalyst that I thought George Springer could be for this team when he signed. So maybe so far in his Blue Jays tenure, it hasn't exactly gone as people have hoped, but this is what I imagine when he signed. So maybe so far in his Blue Jays tenure it hasn't exactly gone as people have hoped but this is what I imagined when he signed there and I

think the team is reaping the benefits of that and seeing how big a catalyst can be. You can have a Vladdy Jr. hit in the middle of the lineup and if you're not getting guys on base if there's not much around them it's really not going to matter but having George do what he's doing at the top of the lineup I think has been huge. The offense is obviously clicking here in Toronto and you know the pitching's been fine but I think everyone expects them to add another arm as we approach the trade deadline. There's an interesting name that's kind of popped up in the last couple of weeks and it's Jacob DeGrom

the Texas Rangers four and a half games back out of a wild card spot like what's the likelihood of them falling out of it and selling to a point where that guy could become available and What type of haul would it take to land at the Grom? Yeah, I think the Rangers are in a really tricky position where you know, you're you're expected to be a Really good team you're expected to be great offensively and and then it was kind of like, what are you gonna get from a pitching perspective? And it's really been the opposite of that. They've pitched really well,

and the offense just hasn't been good enough, whether it be underperformance or just injuries, but you're sitting here now, and the Texas Rangers, I believe, are in fourth out of fifth place. They're a few games under 500 in the American League West, which is a weaker division. So at a certain point, I mean, we're a couple weeks away from them deciding, you know what, like we have to sell. We're getting, we're

getting Jacob deGrom pitching at a level that maybe we didn't even expect him to be at this point after, after this injury. So I do think, look, it's not going to be the hall that it would have taken a couple of few years ago when he was with the mess and dominating because of his injury concerns, but it's gonna take a lot, especially with the contract he's on. So I don't know if it takes a lot as in players

or taking on the financial structure of that contract, but one way or another to get a guy like him, I do think he could be a name available at the trade deadline. And I just think with what's out there, this trade deadline and how many teams are trying to win right now, it's going to take a lot to be at the top of that list with what you're able to offer. Ben, you look sort of uh... game-wide here you look out to the west coast where the dodgers of uh... spent so much money in and been so dominant at times a you

know if they're still pretty dominant still first place in the nl west uh... but you know they've been obviously decimated by injuries to the pitching staff uh... and yes show a tiny continues to be Shohei Otani the overwhelming favorite to be National League MVP not only as the best hitter in the NL but you know getting back to pitching now I guess it's only been about four starts for Otani but what have you seen there and what do you think it means for the Dodgers? Yeah I mean so far I've seen dominance on the mound which isn't a guarantee when it

comes to a guy coming off of his second elbow surgery, right? I think with what we know at this point with numbers and what the data says, one elbow surgery, you know, you're in okay shape. It sucks. It's going to be a year-long process, but you're most likely going to be able to get back. The data says with two, man, it's a real struggle from that point. So to see him get back and to be dominant. Now it hasn't been the innings yet. He's not built up. We're seeing two innings. I think one time we've seen three innings, but to me it's the stuff that's there. We've seen him throw the hardest pitch of his MLB career,

which again, take it a bit with a grain of salt because he knows he's not throwing six, seven innings. He's throwing one or two. But to me that says the stuff has returned and that's what's not a guarantee after a second elbow surgery is that the stuff gets back. Is the velocity gonna be there? Is the off-speed stuff gonna move as much? And that answer has been

yes. And really, I guess we shouldn't be surprised when it comes to show how he surprises everyone. But I think pitching wise, he's going to continue to get built up and we'll see him be one of the most dominant pitchers in the league in the second half as the Dodgers push closer to the playoffs and offensively I mean everybody sees what he's doing. It's remarkable. So we mentioned to Graham earlier What is the very least the Jays should do at the deadline and do the Yankees get in their way? Yeah, I do think the Yankees get in their way I think I think the the Jays need an arm, right? I think they need a rotation arm.

I think they need a guy to really add some depth to that rotation. And I think you feel super confident going into the playoffs with an arm like a Kevin Gosling at the top of the rotation. But I think what needs to happen if I'm them is adding to that rotation for the second half and putting yourself in a position to have a one, two, three that you can go into a playoff series feeling super confident about.

I would love to see them add there. I would love to see them add an offensive bat. Look, if you're asking me in a perfect world as somebody that just can sit here and talk about what the J's should do, I can name you a bunch of things. What's realistic, I don't know, but I think that offense needs another bat as well to add some more depth there. Can you count on George Springer to do what he's doing all year long? Can you count on Alejandro Kirk to do what he's doing all year long? I don't know, but if you add another bat in, it sort of takes pressure off of those guys where it's not,

okay, if I don't keep doing what I'm doing, the team is going to suffer. You add in a bat and I think it's huge, not just for what it means to the offense, but for what I think adding anything at the trade deadline shows the team that the front office is fully committed. And that's a huge thing, I think, for a team, for a locker room is to say okay end of July is here we've put ourselves in a really good position as of right now leading the AL East by a couple games okay we put ourselves in a really good position what's gonna come from it and when the front office goes all in and believes in what you guys

have done and supplements that with maybe an arm or maybe a bat that can extend the lineup I think it goes I think it goes a long long way for the confidence of the team Ben Thanks for your time really appreciate it very thorough. Oh, of course. Thank you guys for having me. Appreciate it. Okay, thanks It's been verlander Fox Sports MLB analyst and flippin bats podcast host. I mean, that's thorough. So let me mistakenly Canadian It's the music that raised you be analyst and flippin bats podcast host. I mean, and all yours. No passports required. Just press play. Tap into Made in Canada now on iHeartRadio.ca or the free iHeart Radio app.