Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner – Details, episodes & analysis

Guests: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar and infield coach Ryan Goins, Blue Jays prospect pitcher Jake Bloss

This week in Deep Left Field, we catch up with a couple of former Blue Jays who are now working together on the west coast. Kevin Pillar talks about contemplating retirement and Ryan Goins, already onto the next chapter of his baseball career, looks back on his days as Pillar’s teammate on those great Toronto teams of 2015-16. Also, we introduce you to right-hander Jake Bloss, the only piece of the Yusei Kikuchi deal who has yet to appear with the major-league team. For now.

Guests: New retiree Joey Votto, Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis, Jays infielder Will Wagner, Cincinnati Reds infielder Santiago Espinal 

This week, we share highlights of the impromptu scrum that Joey Votto did at Rogers Centre just hours after announcing his retirement from baseball. Also, we sit down with reigning American League player of the week Bowden Francis, introduce you to hot-hitting rookie Will Wagner and catch up with a beloved former Blue Jay, Santiago Espinal, who was in town with his new team.

This week, on the 200th episode of Deep Left Field, we catch up with some of our favourites. Kevin Kiermaier talks about the mess the Jays continue to find themselves in, his poor season, the injury to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the DFA of Tim Mayza and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s all-star nod. Mark Budzinski gives his thoughts on the tough road ahead and how the coaching staff works to help the team stay positive and try to turn things around. Marcus Stroman looks back at his time in Toronto and how he’s changed since then.

Guests: Canadian stars of stage and screen Ryan Bondy (“Book of Mormon”), Sandy Jobin-Bevans (Second City, “Just Like Mom and Dad”), Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (“Kim’s Convenience,” “The Mandalorian,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender”)

The Toronto Blue Jays are about to hit the halfway point of the season and, despite snapping a seven-game losing streak on Tuesday, things are not going well. We have convened a panel to discuss what has gone wrong, why it has gone wrong, how we feel about it and how it can be fixed (...if it can even be fixed). Including great stories about a “Kim’s Convenience” tie-in to Edwin Encarnacion’s wild card walk-off in 2016 and the Great Shohei Ohtani Private Plane Watch!

The Blue Jays have been swept in back-to-back series. They’re playing their worst baseball with the most important week of the season beginning Monday – three games at Boston and then four at home against the first-place New York Yankees. With the team taking on water, literally and figuratively, it was time for an emergency bonus episode of Deep Left Field!

We take your comments and questions: Should the Blue Jays sell, and if so, who? Retool or Rebuild? Should Ross Atkins be the one to oversee the changes? Who is really in charge? What to do with George Springer? Was Orelvis Martinez cheating or did he make an innocent mistake?

These questions and more answered on this special bonus episode!

Guests: Blue Jays DH Justin Turner and infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Spencer Horwitz

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we talk to the resurgent Justin Turner, who has shaken off a terrible month of May to get back to his normal self in June. We catch up with Isiah Kiner-Falefa for his thoughts about the team’s current predicament and having to take over at shortstop with Bo Bichette on the injured list, and chat with Spencer Horwitz, who has done nothing but hit — and at a new position — since his call-up to the big leagues a fortnight ago.

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Guests: Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez, former Jays farmhand (and son of Tom Cheek) Jeff Cheek

This week, we honour Tom Cheek, the forever voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, on what would have been his 85th birthday. We remember the Hall of Fame broadcaster with stories and memories from Buck Martinez, who Cheek pushed toward a post-playing career behind the mic, and Tom’s youngest son, Jeff. We also look at the Cavan Biggio trade and preview Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.

What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Former Blue Jays pitcher Jason Grilli, Jays’ associate manager DeMarlo Hale

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we get Jason Grilli’s thoughts on the surprise (and welcome) retirement of Angel Hernandez and check in with DeMarlo Hale for his assessment of the Blue Jays through one-third of the season. Also, thoughts on Hernandez’ legacy, such as it is, as well as Alek Manoah’s injury and the Jays’ City Connect uniforms!

What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.