Baseball Central @ Noon

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing Barker’s observations at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex, notably Brandon Belt looking strong doing drills at first base. The guys also examine Yusei Kikuchi’s velocity as he prepares for his latest Grapefruit league start, Zach Pop’s role in 2023, and how Toronto is equipped with better options in the bullpen than a year ago. MLB Insider Jeff Passan talks about spending time around the Blue Jays in spring training, which players could be ex-factors for the team in 2023, and what a contract extension could look like for Matt Chapman at season’s end (29:51). 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 a victorious weekend for the Blue Jays as they picked up wins against the Rays, Tigers, and Phillies; and break down the most recent outings from Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt. The guys also discuss the status of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s knee injury which has forced him to skip the World Baseball Classic, who will be the 26th man on the roster, and the Blue Jays’ deciding to get rid of their home run jacket. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi previews the World Baseball Classic, how the Dominican Republic will offset the loss of Guerrero, and which teams he thinks are being overlooked and could surprise (31:10). To end the show, Blair & Barker check their voicemail and send Barker on assignment (45:10)! 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 and Kevin concentrate on Yusei Kikuchi following his second consecutive successful Grapefruit League start. With Toronto facing Pittsburgh this afternoon, the guys call up Pirates Manager (and former Blue Jays coach) Derek Shelton to chat about why he and Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde decided to play a half-inning without umpires, and the veterans his club brought in this offseason including Carlos Santana, Rich Hill, and Andrew McCutchen (15:30). Later on, former Blue Jays and Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett catches up with the guys and reflects on his time in Toronto, being teammates with Barker, keeping things loose in Spring Training, and fitting-in with new organizations after being dealt (28:30) 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 assess the performances from a few of the most talked about pitchers in Blue Jays’ camp: Jose Berrios’ outing against the Phillies, along with new addition Chris Bassitt and top prospect Ricky Tiedemann who both faced the Tigers. With a few days of sample-size, Major League Baseball’s Vice President of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez discusses the feedback he has received on the new rules and quicker pace of play from players, managers, and executives around the game (27:55). Blair and Barker end the show with the debut of their new phone line! They chat about if the Blue Jays should have signed a depth catcher after trading away Gabriel Moreno (44:47). 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 share their early reads on the Blue Jays' batting order, before discussing Alejandro Kirk skipping the World Baseball Classic after the birth of his daughter, expectations for Matt Chapman in 2023, and significant injuries around baseball (Joe Musgrove, Tyler Glasnow, and Gavin Lux). With Jose Berrios & the Blue Jays facing Philadelphia in split squad action this afternoon, the guys welcome Phillies analyst and former catcher Ben Davis on the show to break down the Phillies’ potent lineup, the addition of Trea Turner, Bryce Harper’s injury status, and how he feels catchers will adapt to the new pitch clock (29:18). 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 week discussing MLB's new rules being put on display and share their takeaways from the Blue Jays' opening weekend of Grapefruit League action. Later, they break down Toronto's hiring former Houston Astros GM James Click as their VP of Baseball Strategy. Later on, MLB Insider Jeff Passan chats about the early feedback on the pitch clock and rule changes, Manny Machado’s massive contract extension with the Padres, and the Jays' decision to add Click to the front office (29:35). 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 off discussing a report that Alek Manoah has forced the Blue Jays to renew his contract; what does it mean and how it will effect his salary going forward? Later on, MLB Network analyst & host of The Mayor’s Office, Sean Casey shares why he thinks the new rule changes are great for the game, his thoughts on the Jays ahead of the 2023 campaign, and what its like for players entering a new clubhouse (13:57). Jeff and Kevin wrap things up by unveiling the plans for their new phone line, before looking ahead to Yusei Kikuchi’s first start of the spring against the Pirates (31:15). 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 plethora of coaches and ex-players working with Blue Jays players in Dunedin and what they can learn from the guest instructors in camp and what factors players face when deciding to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Later on, MLB Network Radio and Rockies analyst Ryan Spilborghs joins the guys to explain why the Blue Jays are his pick to win the American League, what Daulton Varsho and Brandon Belt will add to Toronto’s lineup, Kevin Kiermaier’s defence, and how he thinks players will adapt to the game’s rule changes (24:40). 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 new addition Chris Bassitt, his experience using PitchCom last season with the Mets, and how he and Danny Jansen have been working together early in spring training. Later on, Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez joins the show live from Dunedin with his takeaways from camp and how pitchers, hitters, and catchers will adapt to the pitch clock (24:52). 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 show wondering which of the Blue Jays’ new additions will be most important to the team’s success in 2023 and why they believe Bo Bichette has the inside track to hitting in the cleanup spot. Later on, Tim Britton of The Athletic joins the show to discuss the Mets’ free-spending ways, owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to pay a significant luxury tax, and how real New York’s interest would be in Shohei Ohtani if he were to hit the open market (29:10). 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.

Blair and Barker are back in their daily timeslot to bring you their Blue Jays thoughts now that spring training is in full swing! Jeff and Kevin examine the projected win totals for Toronto and their foes in the AL East, the expectations for the starting rotation, and the importance of the team's starters pitching deeper into games. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the show from the Blue Jays complex in Dunedin, Florida to chat about how teams will adjust to the 2023 MLB rule changes, José Berríos’ outlook for 2023, and manager John Schneider being a hero off the field (26:47). 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.

Spring Training has begun down in Florida! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker visit with Blue Jays radio voice (and Dunedin offseason resident) Ben Wagner to discuss the position battles early in camp, how the new additions of Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier have looked so far, and who the Opening Day starter might be at the end of March (3:13). Afterwards, they chat with former MLB shortstop Paul Janish on what it takes to play his position (versus playing second base, for example) and how players make the transition to other places on the field if asked (25:33). Plus, another edition of the weekly listener mailbag (45:44)! 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 Bo Bichette’s new three-year pact with the Toronto Blue Jays, and why the deal makes sense for both sides. Later on, Blair & Barker shift their focus to Team Canada and the World Baseball Classic as they speak to Manager Ernie Whitt and catcher Bo Naylor (26:11), before ending the show answering this week’s listener mailbag (54:03)! 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 to discuss Alek Manoah vs. Anthony Recker, Chad Green joining the Blue Jays bullpen, and this year’s Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame class. Later on, two-time World Series Champion with the Toronto Blue Jays John Olerud reflects on his career and his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020; finally being able to celebrate it in-person this upcoming June in St. Marys, Ontario (27:34). 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 & Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (17:27) who shares the low down on the renovations and new outfield dimensions that Blue Jays fans and players can expect at Rogers Centre. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark discusses Scott Rolen punching his ticket to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, covering him while he was with the Phillies, and the players remaining on the ballot who missed the call to the hall in 2023 (26:47). 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 and welcome Thad Levine, Minnesota Twins’ Senior Vice President & General Manager to the show! Levine discusses how the Twins ended up re-signing star shortstop Carlos Correa, why they were comfortable moving forward after the Giants and Mets had medical concerns, and what the arbitration process is like for both players and management (05:20). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays going to salary arbitration, before answering listener questions with the offseason winding down (18:53).   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 & Kevin Barker are back for 2023! The guys weigh-in on the Blue Jays-Diamondbacks trade that saw Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. go to Arizona for outfielder Daulton Varsho; notably the decision to trade Moreno, who was considered by many as the organization’s top prospect. Afterwards, Daulton Varsho himself joins the show to discuss the surprise of being dealt to Toronto, what he brings to the team, and the excitement of competing in the AL East (14:18). Following Varsho, Jeff & Kevin talk about Rafael Devers contract extension with the Boston Red Sox, if Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future deal could be comparable to it, and what else the Blue Jays could do this offseason to improve the roster (28:16). 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.

New Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier joins Jeff and Kevin to explain his excitement about joining the team before opening up about what the free agent process was like for him, why he chose Toronto, and bouncing back after hip surgery. Following Kevin, Blair & Barker give out gifts to members of the Blue Jays for the holiday season (23:22).   Happy New Year - see you in 2023! 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 Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Chris Bassitt on a three-year deal! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker call up Mets reporter John Harper to discuss the type of pitcher and personality the Blue Jays are acquiring, and New York’s ever-expanding payroll under owner Steve Cohen (11:00). MLB insider Jeff Passan broke the Bassitt signing and joins the guys to talk about how the deal came to be and the Blue Jays’ next steps this offseason (23:40).  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 Blue Jays have finally made a free agent signing! 32-year-old centerfielder, Kevin Kiermaier is reportedly coming to Canada! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down Kiermaier’s game, what the move means for the Jays future plans this offseason, what the move means for George Springer, 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.