Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with today's trivia question, before taking a closer look at the San Diego Padres' hot start to the season. Ben Higgins, co-host of Ben & Woods on 97.3 The Fan, joins the conversation to discuss who can be the difference-maker on the Padres' roster, the underrated contributors on the squad, and Fernando Tatís Jr.'s MVP-caliber performance. Ben also dives into what's behind Tatís' breakout start, the lasting effects of the team's 2024 playoff series with the Dodgers, and the job Mike Shildt has done. Later, Jeff and Kevin debate how the conversation surrounding PEDs has changed over the years, before chatting about the state of the Blue Jays' bullpen (28:15). Today's program wraps up with your questions and comments on the "Back Leg Line".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.

Kevin Barker returns alongside Jeff Blair to recount the Blue Jays' 3-1 victory to seal a series victory over the Braves, fueled by Chris Bassitt's 10 strikeout performance. The duo break the news of Davis Schneider's demotion to Triple-A Buffalo, before getting into who's next in line to get called up to big leagues, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander simultaneously heating up, and the roles players are taking on early this season. After the break, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (25:20).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 opens this episode with a sneak preview of Hazel Mae's interview with Jeff Hoffman recounting how an at-bat with Bryce Harper helped save his MLB career. Jeff then opens up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments. A.J. Pierzynski (12:47), World Series champion and host of Foul Territory, shares his perspective on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s mega-extension, how it changes the perception of Toronto as a free agent destination, and the state of the American League East. Later, JB reacts to Ryan Yarbrough's comments about his split with the Blue Jays organization. Tom Glavine (26:40), two-time Cy Young Award winner and Hall of Famer, joins the show to discuss Spencer Strider's looming return, the strength of Atlanta's rotation when healthy, and Kevin Gausman's recipe for 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.

Jeff Blair opens today's show with thoughts on what went wrong for the Blue Jays during their 8-4 blowout at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Brandon Gaudin, play-by-play voice of the Braves, discusses what's contributed to the team's slow start, how Spencer Strider's pending return will solidify the team's rotation, what to expect from Spencer Schwellenbach on the mound tonight, and the priorities for Alex Anthopoulos. Later, Dan Shulman (22:08), Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet, shares his takeaways from yesterday's press conference officially announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension. Dan also comments on what's next for Easton Lucas, Yariel Rodriguez' outlook as a reliever, and the state of Toronto's offence. 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 is joined by Jim Bowden - former GM and MLB analyst with CBS Sports and the Athletic - to continue the conversation around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. making his extension official (0:46). They discuss the industry's reaction to Vladdy's deal, costly timing for the Jays and ownership's role in negotiations. Then, he tees up the Jays' series against the struggling Atlanta Braves. Later, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins joins the show (26:09) to share a timeline of the negotiation process with Vladdy, the clubhouse's reaction to the deal, the next steps towards a potential Bo Bichette extension and much 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.

Sportsnet's own Shi Davidi joins Jeff Blair live from Rogers Centre following the press conference announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension. Shi discusses the role ownership played in the signing, how the rest of the league views the deal, the positive direction this move signifies for the franchise, and what's ahead for Bo Bichette. Later on, ESPN's Jeff Passan (23:12) shares his perspective on Vlad's 14-year extension and the potential ripple effects for future MLB free agents, before shifting to chat about the how the American East-leading Blue Jays have started 2025. 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 opens the program by teeing up today's press conference at Rogers Centre officially announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million, 14-year contract extension. General Manager Ross Atkins, President and CEO Mark Shapiro, and Rogers Executive Chairman Edward Rogers III, join Vladdy on the podium as he puts the pen to paper to sign the historic deal. Jeff checks back in following the media availability to reflect on the magnitude and importance of this contract for the Blue Jays franchise. 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 joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (1:15) ahead of the team's weekend series in Baltimore. The skipper follows up on umpire Manny Gonzalez's questionable call in the Jays' series finale at Fenway and how he manages around inconsistent strike zones. Then, he gets into the pleasant surprise of Tyler Heineman, early concerns at the top of the lineup, the rotation's red-hot start to the season, the big-league adjustment for Will Wagner and Alan Roden, and much more. Finally, Jeff and Kevin close out the week by going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!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 with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 3-2 extra innings loss to the Red Sox. They listen back to John Schneider's postgame comments about some questionable umpiring calls behind the plate, before teeing up tonight's matchup to open a three-game series against the Orioles. Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Coach Pete Walker (05:55) joins the show to discuss his rotation's historic numbers early on, the challenges that come with pitching in the elements, and what's behind Easton Lucas' strong start. Pete also dives into the effectiveness of Kevin Gausman and Brendon Little, the messaging to the team when calls don't go your way, Nick Sandlin's early returns, and Yariel Rodriguez work out of the bullpen. After the break, Jeff and Kevin examine Anthony Santander's slow start, the troubling weather rolling into Baltimore this evening, and the state of Toronto's offence two weeks into the season. 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.

Lou Merloni, former MLB infielder and current NESN analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to tee up today's matinee at Fenway Park! He discusses Walker Buehler's start this afternoon, Boston's issues striking out, if the team's third base debate is finally put to rest, Tristan Casas' rough start at the plate, Trevor Story's deterioration, and Kristian Campbell's outlook. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin listen to what John Schneider had to say about his relievers' work in high-leverage spots, before opening up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments!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 today's show sorting through the Blue Jays' lineup ahead of this afternoon's series finale against the Red Sox. The guys look back on Kevin Gausman's elite performance in last night's win in Boston, with a focus on his adjustments game to game. They also zero in on Alejandro Kirk's night to forget on both sides of the ball, Jeff Hoffman's dominant two innings of work, and state of Toronto's offence early on this season. David Samson (25:20), former MLB executive and current host of Nothing Personal, joins the program to share his view on the structuring of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 14-year contract extension. He breaks down how the $325 million signing bonus could impact relations with the Major League Baseball Players Association, the process of getting a deal of this magnitude done, what's ahead for Bo Bichette, and the rationale of having team captains in baseball. 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.

Jensen Lewis of MLB Network Radio and By the Books on VSiN, kicks off the second hour of the show alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. He dives into Andrés Giménez' "fun factor", how the baseball world outside of Toronto views Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract, the state of the Guardians' bullpen, and Cleveland's outlook in 2025. Next, Jeff and Kevin discuss the reported details of Vlad's extension including a $325 million signing bonus spread out of the 14-year deal, before debating who's in line to receive MLB's next mega-contract. Today’s program wraps up by going live to Guerrero Jr.'s media availability in Boston on the heels of the Blue Jays' officially announcing his contract.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 kick off today's program with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 6-1 victory over the Red Sox powered by Easton Lucas. The duo highlight the work by Toronto's starter and "low leverage" bullpen arms in the win, the continued lack of power from the team's power bats, and John Schneider's level of trust among his relievers! Later, former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, Caleb Joseph (25:00) checks in on George Springer's revival this season, how Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s extension could influence what's next for Bo Bichette, and the keys for Kevin Gausman's success tonight in Boston. Caleb also chats about Lucas' strong start to 2025, Tyler Heineman's efforts behind the plate, and the strength of the team defensively. 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 this hour giving away a pair of tickets, before welcoming on Blue Jays legend, Carlos Delgado! The two-time All-Star weighs in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s mega-extension and the pressure that comes with signing a deal of that magnitude. Carlos also shares his view on the place of analytics in today's game, Vlad's ceiling as a power hitter, how to maintain on-field efficiency as you age, and more! Later on, World Series champion and NESN Red Sox analyst, Jonathan Papelbon (30:15) joins the conversation. He chats about Boston overcoming adversity early in the season, the challenges of pitching in the cold, Jeff Hoffman's return to Toronto, how Alex Bregman is settling in with his new team, and his first impressions of Garrett Crochet. 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 begin the show discussing the Blue Jays' win in their series opener against the Boston Red Sox, the positive changes in George Springer's mechanics and mental approach, Andrés Giménez's addition to the infield's defence, José Berríos battling through the cold weather at Fenway Park, and Pete Walker jawing back and forth with Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson. Then, MLB Network's Jon Morosi (28:32) stops by to chat about the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reaching the finish line in a contract extension early in the regular season, Toronto front office's next move is for Bo Bichette, what Kyle Tucker's next contract is projected to be, and who could be the next biggest free agent signing on the market. 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 start the second hour of 'Vladurday' by going to the Back Leg Line to get your questions and takes on the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s newly inked extension! Later, The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins the show (27:34) to discuss Vladdy's $500M deal from a broader, MLB point of view. He shares his thoughts on the deal itself before getting into how it might impact the free agent market, realistic post-contract expectations for Vladdy, the role the looming new CBA plays in teams' negotiations, the AL landscape and much 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 open this week with today's news: the Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have agreed to a 14-year, $500 million extension! The guys dive into the specifics of the deal, the impact of the signing for the organization, and the how the outlook changes as time rolls on. Jeff and Kevin take some time to tee up Blue Jays upcoming series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, before Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (24:16)! The man who helped break the news discusses the timeline of how the extension came to be, the major sticking pieces along the way, and if the deal can lift some pressure off the slugger's shoulders. Shi also weighs in on where the signing ranks among significant moments in team history, how it will impact the MLB free agent market, and much 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.

The Blue Jays are back in action, and so are Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker! The guys start by teeing up Kevin Gausman's start this afternoon in New York with thoughts on his unorthodox splitter grip, the rotation he's searching for, and its sustainability over the course of a season. Jeff and Kevin continue to set the stage by sorting through today's lineups, before ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan (27:00) stops by! He weighs in on the wave of "torpedo bats" taking baseball by storm, the state of the Houston Astros, the reasoning behind Kristian Campbell's eight-year extension in Boston, 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 welcome Tim Britton (0:24), Mets reporter with the Athletic, ahead of the Blue Jays' series at Citi Field. He gets into the state of the Mets' rotation without Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, their team identity, how aggressive they'll be in the Vladdy Jr. free agency market, breakout candidates and much more. Finally, Jeff and Kevin dip into the Back Leg Line to answer your questions - including what's behind Andrés Giménez's hot start, why the Jays have struggled on challenge calls and how Yimi Garcia brings stability to the bullpen.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 kick off this off-day episode celebrating the Blue Jays' sweep of the Nationals to push them atop the American League East! The guys start off with thoughts on how the switch to playing outdoors could impact Toronto's young players as the team heads to New York to take on the Mets. They also chat about the team's standouts and surprises from the first week, the Dodgers' winning ways to kick off the season, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s form early on. Joe Siddall (24:00), former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, joins the guys on the heels of the Jays' first homestand of 2025. Joe weighs in on the team's depth contributors, the sustainability of their hot start, early impressions of Alan Roden, George Springer, Bowden Francis, Yariel Rodriguez, Anthony Santander, and Guerrero, before sharing his expectation for the team's upcoming road trip. 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 program teeing up this afternoon's snowy series finale against the Nationals in search of a sweep. They begin with thoughts on the Blue Jays' game plan to attack opposing starter Mackenzie Gore, what's behind Anthony Santander's slow start, and Davis Schneider's opportunity in the lineup today. Jeff and Kevin also share their expectations for Easton Lucas ahead of his first start of the season, before looking into how John Schneider has deployed his bullpen early on and José Berríos' bounce-back start last night. The guys chat about Kristian Campbell and Jackson Merrill signing long-term extensions, before Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins the show (29:55)! Skip shares his view on Lucas getting the ball for today's game, Yariel Rodriguez' efforts out of the 'pen, Jeff Hoffman's early returns, George Springer's hot start, and what's stood out about Alan Roden and Will Wagner. John wraps up by answering this week's fan question from Darrell in Ingersoll! 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 joined by Kevin Frandsen (0:50), Washington Nationals TV colour analyst, former MLB player, and host of MLB Network Radio, to discuss the potential of Vlad Jr. receiving an offer from the Nats if he entered free agency, CJ Abrams’ ceiling, the rising star of James Wood, what would define a successful season for the team, the future trajectory of the Washington baseball club, scouting report on left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, and weighs in on the controversial torpedo bats. Then, Jeff and Kevin look ahead to Jose Berrios' second start of the year and how he can bounce back from Opening Day in the Blue Jays' second game against the Nationals.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 kick off today's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-2 victory over the Nationals to move above .500 for the first time in 2025. The guys break down Andrés Giménez' third home run in his first five games, Bowden Francis' first outing of the season, and George Springer's promising start to the year. Dan Shulman (24:50), play-by-play of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, shares his view on Brendon Little's work out of the bullpen, how José Berríos can rebound from his rough Opening Day start, and the sustainability of Springer's hot start. Dan also weighs in on Will Wagner and Alan Roden's expectations in 2025, Davis Schneider's stats that matter, what's behind Anthony Santander's slow start, early returns of Alejandro Kirk hitting behind Giménez, 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.

Former MLB General Manager, Jim Bowden, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his take on the Yankees' use of "torpedo bats", how the Blue Jays' signing of Max Scherzer looks in hindsight, and what's behind Rafael Devers' 0-for-16 start to the season. Jim also chats about Rōki Sasaki's rough outing for the Dodgers, as well as what to make of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s agency being in attendance over the weekend. Blair and Barker wrap up with thoughts on Alan Roden's MLB debut, if his approach at the plate is sustainable, Bo Bichette's form to start to season, and what to expect heading into a three-game set with the Nationals (23:55). 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 Blair and Kevin Barker open this week on the program looking back on the Blue Jays' opening series of the 2025 season. They dive into Max Scherzer's thumb injury that limited the veteran's debut in Toronto, Yariel Rodriguez' performance out of the bullpen, the options to fill out the rotation, George Springer's change in approach and the lack of power from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander. Later, Jeff and Kevin share their take on the "torpedo bat" the Yankees have implemented. Chris Leroux (31:20), former MLB pitcher and current Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, joins the conversation to share his view the new bat technology being utilized, before weighing in on Chris Bassitt's 105-pitch outing and Rodriguez' form in Sunday's series finale. 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 start the second hour by going to the Back Leg Line where they answer your burning Blue Jays questions after a lopsided Opening Day loss at the Rogers Centre. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (27:11) joins the show to discuss his chat with Juan Soto, Soto declaring himself 'the best hitter of all time,' and his ceiling with the Mets. Then, the three get into how the standard of Hall of Fame pitching is shifting, whether Teoscar Hernandez is underappreciated and much 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 affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin Friday's show finding some positives from the Blue Jays' 12-2 loss to open the regular season. The conversation shifts to the underlying concerns that Opening Day exposed including José Berríos' ugly debut and the lack of offensive power, before looking into how the team can regroup ahead of tonight's game. Later on, Manager John Schneider (21:34) joins the guys to share his view on his club's disappointing start to 2025 and how to combat the volume of home runs given up by the pitching staff. Skip also weighs in on Alan Roden's first major league hit, the challenge Charlie Morton poses tonight, the highs and lows of Alejandro Kirk's first game, Yariel Rodriguez' appearance out of the bullpen, what to expect from Kevin Gausman, George Springer's progress, and Daulton Varsho's timeline. 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 kick off the show with Blue Jays’ play-by-play announcer Ben Shulman, discussing the Opening Day lineup, game expectations, Alejandro Kirk’s season outlook, Jose Berrios’ start, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract situation. Later, former MLB Manager Fredi Gonzalez (25:43) joins to share insights on Anthony Santander, strategies against Berrios, and his expectations for Adley Rutschman.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 kick off the second hour with Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (1:15) to share his impressions of the team ahead of Opening Day on Thursday. They discuss Alan Roden's early opportunity, Alejandro Kirk's importance, expectations for Max Scherzer, and the hierarchy in the bullpen. Later, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins (35:26) joins the show to discuss the latest in the organization's negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., his evaluation of the team's offseason, takeaways from Spring Training and much 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.

On the eve of Opening Day, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by sifting through Manager John Schneider's press conference. They dive into their expectations for the Blue Jays in 2025, as well as the latest on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract negotiations. Later, Emmanuel Berbari (28:05), Yankees broadcaster on WFAN, checks in from New York to share his read on the Bronx Bombers. He chats about the state of the roster with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the season, if the rest rotation can pick up the slack, and how the team can rebound from the loss of Juan Soto. Emmanuel also looks into Jazz Chisholm's importance, Oswaldo Cabrera's job security, the Yanks' bullpen arms to watch, Paul Goldschmidt's veteran presence, 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 are joined by Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (5:51) to chat about his expectations for Will Wagner and Alan Roden, the buildup to 'Opening Day' each year, whether Kevin Gausman can return to form, what classifies a good year for Max Scherzer, bullpen depth, Alejandro Kirk's workload behind the plate and on offence, and whether Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can find some comfort alongside Andrés Giménez in the infield. Then, MASN's Roch Kubatko (27:10) stops by to discuss the impact moving the left field wall closer to home plate will have for hitters at Camden Yards, who are the Orioles heading into the 2025 season, projections for Zach Eflin, not signing Corbin Burnes, if the team will look into calling up prospect catcher Samuel Basallo, and concerns for the aging pitching staff.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 kick off Tuesday's episode zeroing in on the Blue Jays roster. They share their expectations for Alan Roden, Will Wagner and Leo Jimenez heading into the season, before looking into Toronto's clean-up options for Opening Day. Producer Mark Boffo joins the guys to pose some Jays over/under bets including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home runs, Bo Bichette hits, Anthony Santander RBIs, and much more! Later on, David Samson (29:13), former MLB executive and host of the Nothing Personal podcast, stops by! He offers his view on Alejandro Kirk's contract extension, the value of winning in April, which teams will surprise in 2025, what it will take to strike a deal with Vladdy, and how to manage George Springer in his age 35 season. 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.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker in-studio to chat about the Detroit Tigers' chances for a World Series berth, the differences with the Boston Red Sox's 2025 roster, how the Baltimore Orioles can learn from the L.A. Dodgers' method of handling prospects, why they believe that the Blue Jays and Vlad Jr. have come to an agreement on an extension, and a breakout year for Julio Rodríguez. Then, Jon, Jeff and Kevin discuss Adley Rutschman's future catching for the Orioles, if the Dodgers are good for baseball, and how the game is presented towards diehard and new fans. 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 are sick of spring training... bring on the regular season! The guys dive into the Blue Jays 26-man roster to debate those who made the cut and Alejandro Kirk's five-year extension with the club, before sharing their preseason picks for MLB division winners and Wild Card spots. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (28:02) joins the guys to chat about Toronto's roster decisions including Alan Roden's promotion, Ryan Yarbrough's release, and Yariel Rodriguez' outlook for 2025. Shi also shares his view on Kirk's freshly inked contract, what's next for Orelvis Martínez, and who will start in centerfield on Opening Day.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 step into the box on Friday's edition of Blair and Barker with a promising update on Max Scherzer's thumb injury, before sifting through today's Blue Jays lineup. Manager John Schneider (15:56) joins the guys to discuss the latest on Scherzer, before getting into how Bowden Francis can build off of his strong second half of 2024, Yariel Rodriguez' form this spring, and how Will Wagner is fitting in at third base. John also sheds light on the plan leading up to Opening Day, how he wants his team to utilize the Automatic Ball-Strike system, the general reception of ABS from umpires, and who he envisions batting clean-up. Later, Marc Topkin (33:27) of the Tampa Bay Times checks in on Rays as they gear up to play the 2025 season from George Steinbrenner Field. Marc looks into how the minor league park could impact the team's offensive presence, the "big three" in Tampa's lineup, Shane McClanahan's status, and how former Jay Danny Jansen is fitting in. 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 kick off today's episode with thoughts on Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro's optimism that the team and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will reach an agreement. ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan (06:52) joins the conversation to share his view on divide between the two parties, before discussing his efforts to republish a story on Jackie Robinson's military service that was removed from the United States Department of Defense website. After the break, Blair and Barker open up the 'Back Leg Line' to respond to your questions and comments (27:10)! 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with Brian Kenny from the MLB Network to discuss whether the Los Angeles Dodgers can repeat as champions this year, whether Shohei Ohtani should abandon pitching and what the Blue Jays need to do to make the playoffs. Later in the show, Red Sox reporter, Rob Bradford (27:47) joins the show to discuss the state of the team, whether they’re capable of taking the A.L. East, whether Rafael Devers should be DH and Alex Bregman’s contribution to the Red Sox.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 kick off the show with ESPN MLB Writer, Jesse Rogers to discuss Max Scherzer’s looming injury and whether Yariel Rodriguez will get the start over Scherzer. Next, they hit on Kyle Tucker’s free agency, the state of the A.L. Central and the Chicago Cubs division outlook. Later, Blue Jays Announcer Ben Shulman (27:46) joins the show to weigh in on Scherzer’s thumb implications, whether Davis Schneider’s impressive spring training will be sustainable, how the Opening Day lineup will look like and debate Yariel Rodriguez’s role this year.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.

On this St. Patrick's Day edition, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show by discussing an outfield scare involving Anthony Santander and Alan Roden, José Berríos' Opening Day start, the decision to start Daulton Varsho, and reports of a new contract offer for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Next, MLB Analyst and Insider Jim Bowden (27:51) joins the show to discuss the continued injuries in spring training, whether prospect spring training stats matter and his thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s alleged new offer.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 step into Friday's edition of Blair & Barker with managers on the mind. Toronto Blue Jays Bench Coach Don Mattingly joins the guys to discuss how his role with the team has evolved, how he applies tactics from his playing career as a coach, and how that strategy changes from player to player. "Donnie Baseball" also weighs in on how the team envisions the batting order, his first impressions of Anthony Santander and Andrés Giménez, and what he's focusing on as spring training winds down. Later, Manager John Schneider (26:05) checks in from the team bus on the way to tonight's game against the Astros. John updates us on Erik Swanson's health after experiencing elbow discomfort, before diving into Addison Barger's spring, what he wants to see from George Springer at the plate this season, who's in contention for the final roster spots, and how Bowden Francis can build off of a strong 2024. 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 kick off today's show with thoughts on John Schneider's comments about Max Scherzer and if his thumb injury is related to past ailments. Barker shares his take on the Blue Jays' lineup for this afternoon's spring training matchup against the Orioles, before getting Sportsnet's own Caleb Joseph's opinion (12:30). The former big league catcher shares his view on Bo Bichette's power surge this spring, his level of concern on Scherzer's setback, and what to make Kevin Gausman's performance in Dunedin so far. Later on, MLB Insider Jeff Passan (31:21) shares his view on the Tampa Bay Rays not moving forward with a new ballpark in the St. Petersburg area and the contract negotiations between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Jays. 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 begin the show with Shi Davidi discussing Max Scherzer's lingering thumb injury and whether it is cause for concern. They also discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s reported contract offer from the Blue Jays, how the offer will be perceived throughout the season, and whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can block out the noise. The lads then briefly move to the back leg line before being joined by MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman (29:23). The three discuss how the front office should approach the problem, how to enhance their rotations, and whether first basemen should be paid 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 affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the episode by discussing Gerrit Cole's season-ending injury, whether George Springer deserves to continue as a lead-off hitter, and whether Myles Straw should be the everyday center fielder in Daulton Varsho's absence. Later, former MLB catcher and MLB Network analyst Alex Avila (23:35) joins the show to discuss what it's like to catch Max Scherzer, how Alejandro Kirk should catch him, and how other veteran players like Gausman and Bassitt can still learn from Scherzer. Finally, Alex tells one of his favourite stories about Max while playing a game.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 begin the show by reacting to the Blue Jays signing Dillon Tate, discussing how the bullpen could be another negative factor in the season, and delving into their schedule for the season. Next, David Samson (27:15) joins the show to discuss rumours of the Tampa Bay Rays selling the team, as well as the implications and possibilities of such a move. They then turn their attention to the Blue Jays, whether it was smart for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to reveal his contract details, whether Max Scherzer tried to sell himself to other teams and the landscape of the A.L. East.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 are joined by Blue Jays Manager John Schneider, who spoke about Kevin Gausman’s Spring debut, the use and impact of his slider, Alejandro Kirk catching Max Scherzer, how he views the team’s batting order, slotting Anthony Santander behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and his impressions of top prospect Arjun Nimmala. MLB Insider Jeff Passan discusses a variety of topics around the sport notably the Rays and A’s both playing in minor-league ballparks in 2025, if Pete Rose will be re-instated, and former Mariner Justin Turner criticizing Seattle and their unwillingness to improve their roster during the offseason (30:27). 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 begin the show by discussing Kevin Gausman’s 2025 spring training debut today, his expectations for the season, and the importance of a hot start. Next, Blue Jays Central Analyst, Joe Siddall (26:49) joins the show to discuss Gauman’s pitching adjustments this spring, they debate what are the Blue Jays' plans with Yariel Rodriguez, Alejandro Kirk's longevity for the season and whether the Jays need to trade for a lead-off man.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 begin the show by discussing yesterday's game against the Detroit Tigers. MLB Network Analyst Ryan Dempster then joins them to discuss pitchers making spring training changes, the Blue Jays' veteran rotation, and spring training expectations. Finally, the boys close the program with questions from the back leg line (26:38).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 begin the show by discussing their first impressions of Daulton Varsho's 2025 spring training debut, how the Blue Jays should structure their batting lineup, whether Max Scherzer can fine-tune his pitches before the season begins, and who should start in center field on Opening Day. Next up, Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman (25:01) joins the show to talk about Bo Bichette's first home run of the spring, how the team will build their lineup, and who will make the Opening Day roster.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.

MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:26) joins Blair and Barker to discuss the Red Sox' impressive offseason, their top prospects that should make a huge impact, if Mike Trout can bounce back after another injury-plagued year, and just how good the Dodgers can be in 2025 after winning it all last season. Later, Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman (27:55) joins the guys to reflect on re-joining the team after being traded for Troy Tulowitzki while he was still a prospect, his expectations for the upcoming season, working with a new array of catchers, how free agency unfolded for him and more! Blair and Barker end the show with thoughts on Daulton Varsho, who is returning to the lineup and making his 2025 Grapefruit League debut. 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 today's episode sorting through the Blue Jays' spring training lineup ahead of this afternoon's game against the Orioles. The pair chat about Anthony Santander's arrival to Dunedin and his critique of how Kevin Gausman and José Berríos pitched to him in 2024, before opening up the 'Back Leg Line' to answer listener questions! Later on, former MLB manager and host of the Book of Joe podcast, Joe Maddon joins the program (26:35)! He discusses the evolution of spring training, what goes into managing players on a walk year, how the Jays stack up in the American League East, and the Yankees finally allowing players to grow beards. 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.