Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:05) to detail his latest article surrounding the Boston Red Sox's messy breakup with Rafael Devers. He chronicles the lack of continuity in the Red Sox management structure, their declining payroll year over year and how this saga impacts the Red Sox's future ability to recruit high-profile free agents. Then, he weighs in on which AL teams will emerge in the postseason, the Braves' deadline direction and the Dodgers/Padres rivalry heating up. Finally, former MLB second baseman Gordon Beckham (30:21) stops by to tee up the Chicago White Sox's weekend series against the Toronto Blue 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 put a cap on the Blue Jays' series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Vlad Jr.'s comfortability in the third spot in the order, Kevin Gausman's reflection on his performances in June and loss to the D-Backs, and how Toronto's front office will look into the pitching market in search of a number two starter. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (24:30) stops by to chat about Nick Sandlin's return to the main roster, Addison Barger's transition into the outfield and up in the batting order, Alejandro Kirk's bat finding a way to the opposite field, and if Gausman will have to tinker with his pitches as he progresses through his career.

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 ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:17) in on the Blue Jays' off-day. They get into where the Jays rank among the best batting orders in baseball, how recent headline pitcher injuries shape the trade market, how the Braves approach the deadline and much more. Later, WEEI Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford (29:15) joins the show to discuss the dysfunction in Boston, the plan for Rafael Devers, their deadline priorities and how they've handled Roman Anthony's arrival.

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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker revisit the Blue Jays' sweep of the Cardinals in St. Louis. They get into whether Yariel Rodriguez is ready to take over the closer's role, whether it's beneficial to have multiple options available to pitch in the 9th inning and the Jays' identity and plate approach through June. Then, Jeff and Kevin go through the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' calls!

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 welcome Sportsnet Blue Jays insider Shi Davidi (1:50) to kick off the second hour, and they get into the team's pitching options as they work around Bowden Francis's enduring struggles, whether they will look to add to their injured bullpen at the deadline, Jonatan Clase's maturity and whether Addison Barger's trial batting second can become permanent. Later, Athletics' Canadian outfielder Denzel Clarke (28:54) relives his highlight-reel home run robbery against the Angels before discussing his process in the outfield, how he's adjusting to the big leagues and his experience playing in his hometown in Toronto.

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 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 begin the show touching on the Blue Jays' second-most comeback wins (20) before being joined by Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (5:58) to chat about some of the positives from Bowden Francis' pitching performances, areas to zone in and improve on, Chris Bassitt's adjustment to stand closer towards first base, Yariel Rodriguez in high-leverage situations, the timeline for a Max Scherzer's return, and what had stood out from Brendon Little. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Alejandro Kirk's hot bat and revisit his performances since the increased workload.

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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show with Jayson Stark from The Athletic to discuss Max Scherzer's Blue Jays spring training debut, how much he has left in the tank, an overall check-in with the team, what Jeff Hoffman brings to the team, and how Anthony Santander will help the Blue Jays make a push this season. Later, Philadelphia Phillies TV Analyst Ben Davis (31:02) joins the show to discuss the team's current status, fighting for roster spots, and if the team's bullpen can propel them to a long-term run.

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 Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez, who discusses Max Scherzer's first spring training start today, what fans can expect from him, how his new relationship with Alejandro Kirk will play out, forecasting Yariel Rodriguez's bullpen season, and the Blue Jays' biggest questions and new additions. In the second half of the hour, Jon Morosi (28:26) of the MLB Network joins the show to discuss Nolan Arenado's trade scenario with the St. Louis Cardinals, how the team needs to get back to winning, and how the Boston Red Sox can be a major threat in the American League 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 begin the show by addressing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension discourse, if it will be a distraction for the rest of the season, whether Orelvis Martinez will make the team and their observations from the Blue Jays' first spring training games. Next up, former MLB executive David Samson (27:53) joins the show to discuss the Vladdy situation, how the Blue Jays front office should approach it, and Rob Manfred's statements about a potential lockout. Finally, they address Giancarlo Stanton's latest injury.

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 get set for the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League season kicking off tomorrow against the Yankees and look at the biggest position battles for the team in Spring. They discuss what Orelvis Martinez has to prove, ripple effects of the Ryan Yarbrough signing and their expectations for Max Scherzer. Blue Jays radio voice Ben Shulman (13:46) shares the vibes from Dunedin and the biggest storylines for the team this Spring. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:55) joins the show to discuss early action at Spring Training, the team's injury news, Vlad Guerrero Jr. pushing through contract distractions, the positions up for grabs 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 start with a look at the Blue Jays' recently announced Spring Training rotation and lay out expectations for Yariel Rodriguez before going to the Back Leg Line (4:57) to answer listener questions! They get into how big of a distraction a walk year is for players, whether the Jays will regret trading Spencer Horwitz, what defines a 'generational talent,' and much more. Later, the Athletic's Jim Bowden (27:55) joins the show to discuss teams that should be targeting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. next offseason, why the Nationals make sense as a landing spot and whether the door is still open for the Jays on a Vladdy extension. Finally, he weighs in on how the Jays manage contract distractions, the plan for Bo Bichette, and Rafael Devers' commitment to third base in Boston.

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 John Schneider's comments on the Blue Jays' potential lead-off hitter this season and project the team's ideal lineup order. Then, they discuss the task ahead for John Schneider, what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is actually worth on the open market and how management views him. Later, they share what they're looking forward to from the Jays' Spring Training before welcoming ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (31:20). The three reflect on the Blue Jays' failure to lock up Vladdy long-term, the front office's flawed approach to talent management, and where the organization goes from this point. Finally, Jeff shares what to expect from Spring Training's trial of the ABS challenge system.

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 with daily episodes of Blair & Barker! The guys open with thoughts on today's breaking news that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays were unable to come to terms on an extension by the slugger's self-imposed deadline. They dive into what this means for Vlad's future in Toronto, if the door is still open for an extension after the 2025 season, and the organization's level of trust in the player long-term. Jeff and Kevin listen back to President and CEO Mark Shapiro's comments from this morning's media availability, before discussing how the team can rebound if the 4x All-Star does not return next season. Later on, Sportsnet MLB Insider Shi Davidi checks in from sunny Dunedin to share his read on the situation with the Blue Jays' first baseman (29:00). He examines the possibility of a deal between the two sides after the season, who's to blame in the failed negotiations, the front office's mentality throughout the process, how the team can stay focused in 2025, and what's next for Bo Bichette.

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 pitchers and catchers beginning to report at Spring Training, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to Ross Atkins' comments on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. negotiations as the slugger's self-imposed extension deadline nears. ESPN insider Jeff Passan (9:27) discusses how Blue Jays management approaches Vladdy's deadline and what he'd be worth after an offseason of mega-deals around MLB. Then, Jeff weighs in on the Red Sox outlook this season after signing Alex Bregman, teams with the most surprising offseasons and the biggest Spring Training storylines. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss uncertainties for the Blue Jays at Spring Training and take calls 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays’ starter Kevin Gausman before he takes off for Spring Training. Gausman shares his thoughts on the team’s offseason so far, his time as a free agent before signing with Toronto, making adjustments on the fly when pitching, and what three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer will bring to the team’s rotation. Blair and Barker end the show with a discussion on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he remains unsigned to a long-term 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 welcome in former Twins GM Thad Levine (1:20) to share his thoughts on the Red Sox calling up MLB's no. 1 ranked prospect Roman Anthony, the impact of A.J. Hinch's experience in Detroit, the challenge of winning with high expectations, the Jays' options for the struggling Bowden Francis, and why GMs are more focussed on 'platoon players.' Later, Cardinals analyst and former MLB pitcher Brad Thompson joins the show (29:36) ahead of the Cards' series against the Jays to discuss how they have defied expectations this season, the biggest surprises for St. Louis this year, and where they can improve.

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 things off with reactions to the Blue Jays' signing of future hall-of-fame pitcher Max Scherzer to a one-year deal, and how this addition affects Toronto's starting pitching rotation. The duo then welcome in Blue Jays Centrals' Caleb Joseph to weigh in on what the veteran righty brings to the lineup, if the Jays have any other moves on the horizon in free agency, and how the recently acquired Anthony Santander can bolster the team's power. Later, Dallas Morning News' (33:22) Evan Grant joins to chat what Scherzer has left in the tank, and how his veteran presence along with pitching coach Pete Walker will elevate this Jays squad. 

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 wonder what else could be in-store for the Toronto Blue Jays (Max Scherzer?) after signing Anthony Santander before sharing their thoughts on this year’s Hall of Fame Class, and which players got snubbed. With Toronto’s reported interest in free-agent slugger Pete Alonso, the guys call up ex-Mets GM and SportsNet New York Contributor Zack Scott (22:32) to discuss the Alonso sweepstakes, Mets’ owner Steve Cohen making public comments about the team’s offers to Alonso, what its like to negotiate with super-agent Scott Boras, and how he grades Santander’s contract with the Blue 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 host a special edition of Blair and Barker reacting to the news of the Toronto Blue Jays agreeing to a 5-year deal with outfielder Anthony Santander, his track record with the Baltimore Orioles, what he adds to the Jays' offence, before diving into the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes and trading for centrefielder Myles Straw. Then, Roch Kubatko, Orioles reporter for MASN Sports, jumps on to give the scouting report on Santander on and off the field, if he's able to translate to an analytics-heavy organization, the potential for him to play in the infield, and if Rogers Centre will be a challenge for Anthony (30:10).

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.