It has become far more than just one player, one contract. The decision on an extension for Vlad Guerrero Jr. by the Blue Jays will have a ripple effect on the future of the franchise, either up or down. Mal and Griff discuss what has become a key moment in, recent, franchise history, as we offer up a solution that would make Vlad one of the highest paid players in the game. Timing is everything. Exit Philosophy offers up a Top 5 list of Blue Jays catchers through the years. We discuss my 2025 Hall-of-Fame ballot, the impact of Andres Gimenez with the Jays, and much more. Like and Subscribe.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

The Blue Jays have added yet another Gold Glove, this time from the Guardians, in the wake of losing out on Juan Soto. With run prevention taken care of were the Jays ever really in play for the most prized free agent since … uh, Ohtani. This Scott Boras-orchestrated winter meeting was busy and eventful, but the Jays need to follow up with some bats in order to compete. This week’s list has Mal and me offering the Top 5 pitchers we have seen that are not enshrined at Cooperstown.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

With the annual MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas this week, Griff and Mal offer an Exit Philosophy primer on the process, with personal memories from past meetings, plus a preview of what to expect and how the whole thing works. It could be a busy week for transactions. We interpret this week’s GM Ross Atkins session with the Toronto BBWAA, offer up our Top 5 lists of favourite MLB ballparks and, of course, update our thoughts on the looming contract situations with Soto and Vlad. Plus some spirited NFL discussion.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

The Blue Jays have to deal with a handful of obvious needs if they truly want to compete immediately, part of a quick rebuild for 2025. The free agent pool is an easy shortcut, especially as a cure for what has become a shallow bullpen, with as many as five spots still open. Griff and Mal discuss the recent non-tender list swelling the FA relief pool to 100 and talk about whether Jordan Romano could ever return to the Jays. Is the Blake Snell signing by the Dodgers bad for baseball and then they debate a suggested Top 5 list of GM Ross Atkins free agent signings among his 35 MLB additions since 2016.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

The deadline for setting 40-man rosters has come and gone and the Blue Jays chose not to add any of their dozen Rule 5 eligible Top 30 prospects, meaning they can be lost to any other team in the draft, December. 11. Is that something or nothing? Owners meetings and the commissioner reacts to the Rays dilemma. Dealing with Scott Boras and possibility of an accelerated Soto signing decision. Argument for a 6-man Jays rotation and more.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

Blue Jays brass will reportedly fly to Los Angeles this week to meet with Juan Soto’s reps. Atkins and Shapiro will likely present their best offer for the best free agent available, but will it be enough? The Red Sox, Mets and Yankees are next and history tells you that going first in negotiations is never a good thing. Mal and Griff ponder the unexpected departure of popular hitting coach Matt Hague to the Pirates and set up the arrival of Jays new director, amateur Scouting, Marc Tramuta. In addition, Exit Philosophy discusses Bo Bichette’s place in MLB shortstop rankings, predicting a strong 2025 bounce back for the 26-year-old. Finally, we discuss nominees for BBWAA Awards week starting on Monday.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

For years, the unique home run calls of Expos French-language broadcaster Rodger Brulotte have received huge airplay across North America. Excited and drawn out, “Bonsoir, elle est parti” was delivered as if each homer was Game 7 of a World Series. But Rodger was far more than that for the first Canadian franchise. Over 36 years of the Expos, Rodger had duties in scouting, PR, marketing, promotions, as traveling secretary and a TV/Radio star. Brulotte joins Griff’s Conversation with stories of Pebble Beach, Youppi, a young Celine Dion and much more.

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Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

With the San Antonio GM Meetings ongoing, it signals the launch of what will be the most important off-season in the 10 years of this Blue Jays front office. In Exit Philosophy, Season 2 Episode 43, Griff and Mal suggest a blueprint GM Ross Atkins might want to follow if this team hopes to add the 14-16 wins to their record, necessary to compete for a wild-card in ’25. The importance of being super-agent Scott Boras and how his list of high-priced clients, led by Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Corbin Burns and others will control the pace and timing of the Hot Stove offseason. How the Jays can build a competitive bullpen, whether to add another starter, what about the low-hanging fruit ... and more.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons joins Griff and Mal on Exit Philosophy to discuss the ‘24 World Series, his role as bench coach with the Mets, his long and grinding road on and off the field including two stints as Jays skipper, thoughts on all of his GMs in Toronto, plus it’s clear the urge to manage again, is still there, as reflected by his recent interview with the White Sox.

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Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

Exit Philosophy, Episode 41, Griff and Mal discuss the prospect of the Jays making a serious run at free-agent Juan Soto. Pay tribute to the late Fernando Valenzuela on the eve of The ’24 World Series, a rematch between his team, the Dodgers and their nemesis the Yankees. The ’81 season was the dawn of FernandoMania and the closest the Expos came to reaching the World Series, ending with Blue Monday, Game 5 of the NLCS started by Fernando. The Blue Jays rebuild has already begun and the first baby steps include a new hitting coach brought in from outside. The importance of signing Vlad Guerrero here and now could be key to the rebuild, but is it too late for it to happen before his free agency. And more.

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Get the audio version of Exit Philosophy wherever you get your podcasts, including:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Q0MJVS...

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/