Blair & Barker The Path Back to the Fall Classic with Jayson Stark & Robert Flores
Feb 27, 2026
Robert Flores, MLB Network reporter who scouts camps and storylines, and Jayson Stark, senior MLB writer famed for deep baseball analysis, join to unpack the Blue Jays’ spring impressions. They discuss roster construction, rotation management including Max Scherzer and an eight-starter debate, spring standouts like Addison Barger, and the rising buzz around the World Baseball Classic.
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Spring Training Conversations Revealed Team Transformation
- Jayson Stark found spring-training conversations uniquely revealing and used them to explore how the Blue Jays processed losing Game 7.
- He reported players and staff poured their hearts out, showing a cultural shift from last spring that could affect 2026 performance.
Postseason Loss Gave Blue Jays Renewed Belief
- Stark observed the Blue Jays' vibe has changed: belief, culture and assurance improved after the World Series loss.
- He cautioned this altered mentality helps but doesn't guarantee a title because performance fluctuations (e.g., Dylan Cease) remain.
Evaluate International Signings For Cultural Fit Too
- Don’t assume international stars translate immediately; evaluate both skill and cultural transition needs.
- Stark called Ankomodo the safer Japanese bat but stressed his ability to handle living and representing his culture affects his MLB success.