Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off discussing a report that Alek Manoah has forced the Blue Jays to renew his contract; what does it mean and how it will effect his salary going forward? Later on, MLB Network analyst & host of The Mayor’s Office, Sean Casey shares why he thinks the new rule changes are great for the game, his thoughts on the Jays ahead of the 2023 campaign, and what its like for players entering a new clubhouse (13:57). Jeff and Kevin wrap things up by unveiling the plans for their new phone line, before looking ahead to Yusei Kikuchi’s first start of the spring against the Pirates (31:15).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the plethora of coaches and ex-players working with Blue Jays players in Dunedin and what they can learn from the guest instructors in camp and what factors players face when deciding to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Later on, MLB Network Radio and Rockies analyst Ryan Spilborghs joins the guys to explain why the Blue Jays are his pick to win the American League, what Daulton Varsho and Brandon Belt will add to Toronto’s lineup, Kevin Kiermaier’s defence, and how he thinks players will adapt to the game’s rule changes (24:40).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss new addition Chris Bassitt, his experience using PitchCom last season with the Mets, and how he and Danny Jansen have been working together early in spring training. Later on, Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez joins the show live from Dunedin with his takeaways from camp and how pitchers, hitters, and catchers will adapt to the pitch clock (24:52).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show wondering which of the Blue Jays’ new additions will be most important to the team’s success in 2023 and why they believe Bo Bichette has the inside track to hitting in the cleanup spot. Later on, Tim Britton of The Athletic joins the show to discuss the Mets’ free-spending ways, owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to pay a significant luxury tax, and how real New York’s interest would be in Shohei Ohtani if he were to hit the open market (29:10).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Blair and Barker are back in their daily timeslot to bring you their Blue Jays thoughts now that spring training is in full swing! Jeff and Kevin examine the projected win totals for Toronto and their foes in the AL East, the expectations for the starting rotation, and the importance of the team's starters pitching deeper into games. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the show from the Blue Jays complex in Dunedin, Florida to chat about how teams will adjust to the 2023 MLB rule changes, José Berríos’ outlook for 2023, and manager John Schneider being a hero off the field (26:47).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Spring Training has begun down in Florida! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker visit with Blue Jays radio voice (and Dunedin offseason resident) Ben Wagner to discuss the position battles early in camp, how the new additions of Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier have looked so far, and who the Opening Day starter might be at the end of March (3:13). Afterwards, they chat with former MLB shortstop Paul Janish on what it takes to play his position (versus playing second base, for example) and how players make the transition to other places on the field if asked (25:33). Plus, another edition of the weekly listener mailbag (45:44)!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to Bo Bichette’s new three-year pact with the Toronto Blue Jays, and why the deal makes sense for both sides. Later on, Blair & Barker shift their focus to Team Canada and the World Baseball Classic as they speak to Manager Ernie Whitt and catcher Bo Naylor (26:11), before ending the show answering this week’s listener mailbag (54:03)!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back to discuss Alek Manoah vs. Anthony Recker, Chad Green joining the Blue Jays bullpen, and this year’s Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame class. Later on, two-time World Series Champion with the Toronto Blue Jays John Olerud reflects on his career and his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020; finally being able to celebrate it in-person this upcoming June in St. Marys, Ontario (27:34).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (17:27) who shares the low down on the renovations and new outfield dimensions that Blue Jays fans and players can expect at Rogers Centre. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark discusses Scott Rolen punching his ticket to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, covering him while he was with the Phillies, and the players remaining on the ballot who missed the call to the hall in 2023 (26:47). 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back and welcome Thad Levine, Minnesota Twins’ Senior Vice President & General Manager to the show! Levine discusses how the Twins ended up re-signing star shortstop Carlos Correa, why they were comfortable moving forward after the Giants and Mets had medical concerns, and what the arbitration process is like for both players and management (05:20). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays going to salary arbitration, before answering listener questions with the offseason winding down (18:53).  

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.