Around the Beat: Toronto’s Elliott talks JoeyBats, Stroman and if the Jays can repeat

Getting a chance to chat in-depth with baseball beatwriters for our “Around the Beat” segment each week has been one of the coolest things about my new endeavor.

And this particular episode might be my favorite. Because it features one of the best guys and best reporters in the business, Bob Elliott, who has covered baseball in Canada for nearly 40 years.

Elliott, columnist for the Toronto Sun and the 2012 winner of baseball writing’s highest honor, the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, is stepping down from the daily grind this month. He’s not exactly sure what’s next, but I’m sure it will involve baseball and Canada.

Elliott took some time this week to talk with me about the defending AL East champion Blue Jays, who host the Orioles for four games at the Rogers Centre starting tonight.

We discussed why the club’s turbo-charged offense has been so average, what’s made the starting rotation click, and why assumed ace Marcus Stroman hasn’t clicked.

We get a personal look into Camden Yards’ tormentor Jose Bautista as he enters free agency. You may be surprised by what Elliott thinks of JoeyBats.

I also ask Elliott to break down the AL East race for me, and he tells me which team has more candy in its candy store.

Yeah, Elliott, known as Boxer to his friends, is definitely one of a kind. And I hope that comes through in this podcast. Enjoy.