Blair & Barker Blue Jays 2026 Expectations with Caleb Joseph + Red Sox Preview
Mar 23, 2026
Caleb Joseph, former MLB catcher and Blue Jays analyst, breaks down the Jays’ roster, bullpen roles, pitch-catcher dynamics, and player development. Rob Bradford, Red Sox reporter and podcast host, assesses Boston’s place in the AL East, defensive upgrades, rotation workload, and trade/roster questions. Multiple short takes on Vladdy, Varsho, Dylan Cease, Roman Anthony, and Alex Cora’s job security.
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Blue Jays May Be A Hit Short Despite Pitching Upgrades
- Caleb Joseph sees the Blue Jays as a pitching-forward team but believes they're a batter short after losing Bichette and Santander.
- He highlights bullpen improvements and Cease's role but says replacing ~200 hits is the main offensive concern.
Give Hoffman Predictable Workloads
- Use consistent reliever usage to protect Jeff Hoffman and improve his performance.
- Caleb recommends predictable work patterns and trusted setup arms (Varsho, Rodgers, Brendan Little) to avoid overusing Hoffman.
Work New Pitches In During Spring Not Regular Season
- Introduce new pitches selectively from spring to regular season, keeping spring for experimentation.
- Catchers (Alejandro Kirk) and coaches gauge usefulness; only 'filthy' pitches become regular weapons.