Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker are back for 2023! The guys weigh-in on the Blue Jays-Diamondbacks trade that saw Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. go to Arizona for outfielder Daulton Varsho; notably the decision to trade Moreno, who was considered by many as the organization’s top prospect. Afterwards, Daulton Varsho himself joins the show to discuss the surprise of being dealt to Toronto, what he brings to the team, and the excitement of competing in the AL East (14:18). Following Varsho, Jeff & Kevin talk about Rafael Devers contract extension with the Boston Red Sox, if Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future deal could be comparable to it, and what else the Blue Jays could do this offseason to improve the roster (28:16).

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.

New Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier joins Jeff and Kevin to explain his excitement about joining the team before opening up about what the free agent process was like for him, why he chose Toronto, and bouncing back after hip surgery. Following Kevin, Blair & Barker give out gifts to members of the Blue Jays for the holiday season (23:22).  

Happy New Year - see you in 2023!

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.

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Chris Bassitt on a three-year deal! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker call up Mets reporter John Harper to discuss the type of pitcher and personality the Blue Jays are acquiring, and New York’s ever-expanding payroll under owner Steve Cohen (11:00). MLB insider Jeff Passan broke the Bassitt signing and joins the guys to talk about how the deal came to be and the Blue Jays’ next steps this offseason (23:40).  

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.

The Blue Jays have finally made a free agent signing! 32-year-old centerfielder, Kevin Kiermaier is reportedly coming to Canada! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down Kiermaier’s game, what the move means for the Jays future plans this offseason, what the move means for George Springer, and more.

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 return with their thoughts on the billion-plus dollars dished out by MLB teams at the winter meetings in San Diego, as star players like Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, and Justin Verlander secured new contracts. After some thought that Aaron Judge might go to the Giants, he ultimately remained a New York Yankee. Jeff and Kevin call up WFAN’s Yankees reporter Sweeny Murti to discuss how close the slugger was to leaving New York (18:46). John Schneider checks-in to discuss his first winter meeting as Blue Jays manager, Don Mattingly joining his staff as bench coach, and adapting to MLB’s rule changes for the upcoming season (33:40).

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.

Don Mattingly has been hired as the new bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on “Donnie Baseball” joining John Schneider’s staff before inviting former Marlins President David Samson on the show to discuss his experience working with Mattingly when he hired him to be Miami’s manager. Jeff, Kevin, and David also look ahead to next week’s Winter Meetings in San Diego; particularly the top-tier shortstops available in free agency.

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 breakdown the Teoscar Hernández trade news! Are you surprised that Teoscar was the first domino to fall? What did the Jays acquire? And is this move setting up another? Seattle Times reporter Ryan Divish joins the guys to talk about what the Jays acquired and how people in Seattle are feeling following the news (13:30). Finally they preview their offseason schedule and look ahead to what's next!

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.

With the World Series in the rear-view mirror, Blair and Barker turn their attention towards the offseason. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the show from the GM Meetings in Las Vegas with a focus on the Toronto Blue Jays: their wants and needs and how active they will be to improve the roster (10:46). Afterwards, MLB insider Jeff Passan discusses Shohei Ohtani’s potential availability, what teams would have to give up for someone of his calibre, and the star players available in free agency including Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom (36:04).

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.

The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to become the 2022 World Series champions; earning Dusty Baker his first championship as a manager! The guys examine the series-clinching game, notably Rob Thomson’s decision to bring in José Alvarado to face Yordan Álvarez and Jeremy Peña's MVP honours, before discussing how closer Edwin Díaz’s new $102M five-year pact with the Mets can impact the free-agent market for relief pitchers. Throughout the show, Jeff and Kevin ask their listeners if this championship changes the way the Astros organization is viewed after the 2017 cheating scandal; and if Houston can be considered a dynasty with their two titles and consistent success.

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.

Justin Verlander picked up his first career World Series win as the Astros took Game 5 by a score of 3-2, and now lead the series by that same margin. Jeff and Kevin recap the game and discuss if it will be finally be manager Dusty Baker’s time to win the championship that has alluded him to this point in his career. 2008 World Series Champion pitcher Jamie Moyer shares his thoughts on the Astros-Phillies, Houston’s Game 6 starter Framber Valdez, and the anxiety and excitement that permeates through the dugout during high-pressure postseason moments (27:42).

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.