Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show assessing the Blue Jays' potential moves with the trade deadline one week away; notably why it makes more sense to trade Bo Bichette in the offseason if that’s the route the front office wants to take. Rays TV analyst and friend of the show Brian Anderson (28:00) previews the latest Tampa Bay-Toronto series at Rogers Centre and discusses the talent of starting pitcher Taj Bradley.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 MLB insider Shi Davidi (3:33) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share how the Jays are approaching the upcoming MLB trade deadline. He digs into pitcher/hitter markets across the majors, the Jays' trade assets and what sort of market they could generate for players on expiring contracts. Later, MLB host & analyst Ryan Spilborghs (40:26) weighs in on the Blue Jays' roster flaws, their outlook for the 2025 season and the clubhouse vibes ahead of the deadline.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 discuss the Blue Jays losing two of three against the Tigers and the types of trades the Blue Jays could make before next week’s deadline citing how the front office has operated in years past. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (16:31) discusses this year’s Hall of Fame class that was inducted in Cooperstown over the weekend; particularly Jim Leyland’s legacy as one of the game’s greatest managers; before discussing the deadline and if the Orioles and Tigers could match up on a deal for starting pitching. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss reports that Bo Bichette would 'welcome a trade.'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 former MLB executive David Samson (1:23) to review the past week of All-Star activities. He gets into the diminishing allure of the Home Run Derby, its lack of star power and whether it needs a fix. Then, getting back into the swing of the season, he shares a front office's POV of what to look for coming out of the All-Star break, his expectations for the Jays' second half and more around MLB. To close, Jeff and Kevin answer your questions 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 return from the All-Star break ready to look ahead to the unofficial second half of the MLB season! They are joined off the top by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (4:30), who provides a few roster updates and discusses Joey Votto inching closer to his Blue Jays debut as he plays this weekend in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons. Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Matt Stairs (25:53) catches up with the guys to talk some hitting with Barker, this weekend’s WCBL All-Star Game and just how widespread baseball is in Canada from coast-to-coast. 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 (1:12) for his weekly chat to discuss the difficulties of telling players they've been place on waivers with the news that the team placed Kevin Kiermaier on waivers yesterday. Then, the skipper shares his takeaways from the team's series against the Giants, Bassitt and Gausman's forms heading into the break, Spencer Horwitz's path to everyday play and what he is looking to see from Zach Pop and Trevor Richards at this stage of the season. To wrap up the show, Blair and Barker take some calls from the Back-Leg Line (27:13).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 recap the Blue Jays' series win over the San Francisco Giants, discuss the team placing Kevin Kiermaier on waivers, the best place to slot Spencer Horwitz in the lineup and how his in-game awareness has improved. Then, former Blue Jay and current Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Randal Grichuk (27:43) stops by to chat about what impressed him the most about his current baseball club prior to signing with them, adjusting to playing under different managers, the art of being a pinch-hitter when called upon and dealing with the uncertainty of his playing time from team to team. 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 World Series champion and Giants analyst Hunter Pence (1:42) to give his take on the identity of the San Francisco Giants this season, the difficulties to get an offence going at Oracle Park, Heliot Ramos' path to becoming an MLB All-Star and what the Blue Jays can expect facing Jordan Hicks. Blair and Barker then look at their first impressions of Matt Chapman playing in the Bay Area and the offseason fallout between the third baseman and Toronto. Afterwards, ESPN's Jeff Passan (27:57) shares his thoughts on why Paul Skenes should start in the MLB All-Star game, which teams in the AL East will be buying at the trade deadline and why a move from an NL team won't shake up the post-season picture.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 voice Dan Shulman (3:15) to chat about the steps for Spencer Horwitz to become an everyday player, why Daulton Varsho could be the team's future centre fielder, Chad Green's trade value and his first impressions of Leo Jiménez. Then, Blair and Barker share their thoughts on Tim Mayza signing with the New York Yankees on a minor-league deal. Afterwards, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (26:25) stops by to discuss the factors of a successful outing from Yusei Kikuchi, the changes Yariel Rodriguez made to his pitch mix, when he knows it's time to talk to his pitchers on adjusting their approach and his relationship with Chris Bassitt and how he's grown as a starter. 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 Athletic's San Francisco Giants reporter Andrew Baggarly (1:19) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss what he'll remember the most from the late Willie Mays, how the Giants have underperformed to their expectations, Matt Chapman's tenure in the Bay Area, if Blake Snell will be moved at the trade deadline and the team's interest in Juan Soto in free agency. Then, Blair & Barker debate the National League selections for All-Star pitchers - including Paul Skenes - and preview the Blue Jays' upcoming series against the Giants.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.