Blair & Barker

With the 2021 postseason completed and the Atlanta Braves crowned World Series champions, the focus now shifts to Major League Baseball’s offseason. Jeff and Kevin are joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (1:38) and go in-depth on the Toronto Blue Jays: who is more likely to re-sign: Robbie Ray or Marcus Semien, if any of the prospects in the organization are viewed as “untouchable”, Steven Matz, potential trade candidates to balance the team’s lineup, the bullpen, and how to use Nate Pearson going forward. Later, Jeff and Kevin discuss what they enjoy most about the sport and the young stars and personalities in MLB, before being joined by Maury Brown (1:12:10) of Forbes. Maury, Jeff, and Kevin talk about the current financial health of the sport amidst the pandemic, the landscape of the labour negotiations between the league and MLBPA, if a resolution can be found quickly, and how an unknown CBA impacts different tiers of players.

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 affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this edition of the show by answering your calls and hearing your wants, needs, and desires for the 2022 Blue Jays (00:51). Soon after, Jays’ Assistant Director of Player Development Joe Sclafani speaks about Gabriel Moreno’s development in the Jays’ prospect system, and touches on the impact of the 2020 minor league shutdown (04:17). Then, Blair & Barker head back to the phone lines to listen to some final calls before saying farewell for the off-season (16:52).

It’s the final edition of Blair and Barker before the guys take a well-deserved winter break (stay tuned for weekly pods!). The guys open the show by discussing the Jays’ offseason and what the organization’s priorities should be (7:37). Then they take some calls from listeners regarding Jays’ offseason wants, needs, and desires (22:46). Next, Jeff Passan stops by to chat about what teams can learn from the 2021 Braves, Joc Pederson sending Harry Styles a jersey and note after the singer predicted Atlanta would win the World Series, and Marcus Semien and Robbie Ray (34:41).

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

Scott Crawford, Director of Operations at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, discusses this year’s induction class (9:29). Then, San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler discusses the work he is doing with his ‘Pipeline for Change’ Foundation where he has been an advocate for hiring practices to evolve in baseball so that front offices can become more inclusive and improving mental health for players and employees around the game (29:06). Later, Kapler touches on Buster Posey’s career, the World Series and Dusty Baker as a communicator and the Giants’ exceptional 2021 season (38:00).

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 affiliate.

With the offseason now officially underway, Jeff and Kevin discuss some news and notes around the majors and discuss Buster Posey’s career and hall of fame candidacy as the 2012 NL MVP is set to announce his retirement on Thursday (0:51). With teams making qualifying offers to their upcoming free agents, Jeff and Kevin debate what would be the best course of action for the Blue Jays and Steven Matz (12:32). MLB Network analyst Carlos Peña joins the show to recap the World Series and share what noticed from Alex Bregman at the plate and if one of his former teams the Detroit Tigers will be aggressive in free agency (31:12).     

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 affiliate.

Blair & Barker react to Brian Snitker’s post-game availability and share their final thoughts on the World Series: notably Max Fried and Jorge Soler’s MVP performance and violent swing (0:07). They also discuss what the loss means for the Astros and how they were unable to pair their tainted 2017 championship with another one in 2021 (11:48). Host of “Nothing Personal” and former Miami Marlins President David Samson joins the show and discusses how the Braves will be a different looking team come next year, the difficulty repeating as champions, four of the five NL East teams winning championships since 2003, the Astros as baseball’s “villains”, and the upcoming CBA talks and if he thinks a resolution can be reached sooner than later (32:02).

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 Atlanta Braves are World Series Champions! GM Alex Anthopoulos joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss his club’s historic postseason run, the team playing below .500 for much of the season, the impact of World Series MVP Jorge Soler and the other trade deadline acquisitions, bringing back Freddie Freeman, and his own journey in baseball to get to this point (7:45). Next, ESPN MLB analyst Doug Glanville shares his views on the World Series, playing for Dusty Baker, if Baker will return to manage Houston next season, and Atlanta becoming a “buzzsaw” as the postseason progressed (31:55).

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 and Kevin react to Atlanta Braves’ manger Brian Snitker’s comments on whether his team feels pressure at this juncture in the World Series, before going over the approach that Astros and Braves lineups must have against Max Fried and Luis Garcia respectively (0:08). World Series Champion and former Astros closer Brad Lidge discusses the pitching in the World Series to this point: how hitters have the advantage the longer the series goes on, how to mix things up to hitters as a relief pitcher in a long series, Martin Maldonado’s at-bats in Game 5, and why Max Fried has to establish the inside fastball in his start (26:11).

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.

It’s Game 6 of the World Series in Houston. Jeff and Kevin talk about which team has more pressure on them, Carlos Correa hitting third in the Astros order, and how they wouldn’t tinker with Braves lineup at all if they’re manager Brian Snitker (0:54). ESPN’s Dan Shulman joins the guys ahead of his call to discuss what Max Fried has learned from facing Houston earlier this series, what can be expected of Kendall Graveman, how going from a 60 to 162 is affecting pitchers late in the season, and more before the pivotal game (30:57).

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 and Kevin look ahead to Game 6 and how Brian Snitker and Dusty Baker will manage the pitching for both the Braves and Astros (0:30). The Mariners declined their club option on Kyle Seager – would a team like the Blue Jays be a fit for the veteran 3B (11:02)? National baseball writer Scott Miller joins the show from Houston to weigh-in on Alex Bregman being moved down in the batting order, Max Fried’s upcoming start in Game 6, how Dusty Baker will maneuver his bullpen, and Bob Melvin coming in to manage the Padres (26:45). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin wonder what the future holds for Freddie Freeman in Atlanta at the conclusion of the World Series (37:15).

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.