Ben Nicholson-Smith
Sportsnet
Toronto, ON, Canada
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Past articles by Ben:
Manoah shines with little room for error as Blue Jays edge Tigers
Regardless of where the Toronto Blue Jays' form leads them at the end of the season, it’s worth appreciating what Alek Manoah is doing right now, especially in situations with little room for error. → Read More
Blue Jays decline Chase Anderson's 2021 option
The Toronto Blue Jays have declined starting pitcher Chase Anderson's $9.5-million club option for 2021. → Read More
Blue Jays, MLB face unique challenges created by upcoming trade deadline
The MLB trade deadline adds intrigue to every summer, and to some extent that’ll even be true in 2020. It’s just that this summer’s deadline is unlikely to resemble anything we’ve seen before. → Read More
What surprise disruption in schedule means for Blue Jays' weekend
Postponements have thrown the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend into slight disarray, but the team is doing their best to cope and to keep in game shape. → Read More
How surprise Austin Martin selection impacts Blue Jays from here
Regardless of where you place Martin, the industry consensus is clear: he was supposed to be gone when Toronto picked. Now the question becomes, where will he play and how soon can he reach the majors? → Read More
Blue Jays trim from farm system with minor-league season in jeopardy
Some Toronto Blue Jays prospects were on the receiving end of difficult phone calls Friday morning, as the organization pared down its farm system with the 2020 minor-league season in jeopardy, according to industry sources. → Read More
Nicholson-Smith: My 15 favourite baseball books
With sports on pause due, we’re sharing some personal recommendations. Today, Ben Nicholson-Smith breaks down his favourite baseball reads. → Read More
As MLB considers May return, Japan's NPB represents cautionary tale
As MLB contemplates a potential May start date, the NPB’s last few weeks represent a cautionary tale. → Read More
How a shortened 2020 season could impact the Blue Jays on the field
Ben Nicholson-Smith explores how a shortened MLB season could impact the Toronto Blue Jays. → Read More
Blue Jays' concerns over coronavirus far greater than baseball
Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro met with media on Friday to discuss the team's reaction to the coronavirus pandemic. → Read More
Kirk's opposite-field power enough to impress Blue Jays' Montoyo
Alejandro Kirk, the sturdily-built 21-year-old who's rapidly climbing prospect rankings thanks to remarkable plate discipline and a strong throwing arm, won over another fan Sunday: Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo. → Read More
Blue Jays agree to deal with right-handed reliever Rafael Dolis
The deal, which has yet to be announced by the team, includes a club option for 2021. Dolis has big-league experience, with 40 appearances for the Cubs from 2011-13, but the 32-year-old Dominican has spent his last four seasons with Japan’s Hanshin Tigers. → Read More
Blue Jays' four-year deal with Hyun-Jin Ryu a game-changer on many levels
The path from rebuilding team to contender includes countless steps, most of which occur with little fanfare behind the scenes. And then there are the decisions that catch everyone’s attention. → Read More
Position player possibilities open up for Blue Jays after Roark deal
To say the Toronto Blue Jays were all about pitching at the recently completed Winter Meetings wouldn’t quite be accurate. They continued asking about free agent position players while exploring trades, too. → Read More
If rival clubs move slowly, Blue Jays can gain edge by being proactive
While another sleepy off-season might be ahead, the Blue Jays appear to be one of “those four, five organizations who are coming out of hibernation.” → Read More
Strasburg's outing for the ages sets up Game 7 drama in World Series
Facing elimination on the road, Stephen Strasburg pitched 8.1 innings of two-run baseball against a historically dominant offensive team, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 in the World Series. → Read More
With future unclear, young teammates appreciate Smoak's Blue Jays tenure
Justin Smoak hits free agency following the World Series. After five seasons in Toronto, his time here may well be coming to an end. → Read More
Blue Jays Mayza leaves game vs. Yankees with apparent arm injury
Tim Mayza left Friday’s game with an apparent arm injury after throwing a pitch in the top of the 10th inning. → Read More
Blue Jays Takeaways: Another day, another multi-hit game for Bichette
If you live and die with the results, Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners would be a frustrating one. But if you're more inclined to take the long view, there were some positives, starting with the Blue Jays' rookies, and more specifically, Bo Bichette. → Read More
Blue Jays ready to ramp up use of openers after strategy's early success
With five weeks remaining in the regular season, the Toronto Blue Jays' usage of openers is about to ramp up. → Read More