Blair & Barker

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.