Within 24 hours on Thursday and Friday, the two top MLB free-agent hitters linked to the Blue Jays signed and came off the board, but neither one was headed north of the border. First, it was Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers, then Bo Bichette to the Mets. On Exit Philosophy we discuss the possible impact to the Jays' hopes of improving their lineup via free agency and where this leaves the AL Champs moving forward. Was Bo to the Mets a panic move by owner Steve Cohen? Was Bo's departure always an inevitability? Mal and Griff discuss the Hall-of-Fame announcement later this week, the looming labour negotiations after the '26 season, Ernie Clement to Team USA and much more.

Note** - Bo signed right after recording original episode so the first 25 mins are recorded separately from the rest of the episode. Hope you enjoy!

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:35 – Kyle Tucker is an LA Dodger

9:50 – Bo Bichette is a New York Met

21:40 – Realmuto resigns with Phillies + How Will Bo Handle NY Media

25:30 – How to Avoid a Salary Cap and a Lockout

35:15 – Bo Bichette and Mitch Marner Comparisons

43:15 – Hall of Fame Announcement Preview

50:45 – Rob Manfred and Lockout Negotiations

1:00:32 – Ernie Clement on Team USA for WBC

1:04:15 – Red Sox Have Best Rotation in the AL East

1:12:10 – International Signing Period

1:13:45 – NFL Divsional Weekend Preview + Outro

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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/

The Blue Jays made a significant addition from the Japanese pool signing free-agent 3B Kazuma Okamoto -- four years, $60M. On this Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal explain how much the Jays' dramatic World Series run impacted the club's international profile and what this latest addition may mean to the team's pursuit of Bo Bichette and/or Kyle Tucker. Which AL teams have had the best off-season, a month to spring training. Detailing the dramatic change in the Jays starting rotation and the bullpen from opening Day 2025 to now. Should Ross Atkins wait until March to attempt a trade for Jose Berrios or is that too much a distraction? All this and more, including handicapping NFL wildcard weekend.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:38 Kazuma Okamoto discussion

5:16 Okamoto presser with Scott Boras

10:49 Are Tucker and Bo still on the table

16:44 Rogers figures out spend money make money

19:16 Who's going to bat middle of the order

27:49 Jays and Luxury Tax with Jose Berrios

33:32 Jays will miss influence of departed pitchers

36:28 Comparing 2025 pitching to '26

46:20 AL Teams with best off-season

55:21 NFL Playoff Preview

1:02:56 Wrapup

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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/

In this edition of Conversations with Griff, I chat with iconic Blue Jays television personality, Hazel Mae, recently recognized by the Canadian Hall of Fame with the Jack Graney Award, given to a media member for a lifetime of contribution to baseball. We discuss her stellar career, from the first time she was handed a tape recorder and sent to a Jays game, to her current status as a huge part of the most-watched telecasts in MLB, her role models in sports broadcasting, and her positive influence on young women in Canada.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:25 – Winning the Jack Graney Award and Canadian Baseball HOF

3:25 – Her love of the Kansas City Chiefs

6:45 – The wonderful progression of women in sports media

10:00 – Admiration of Susan Waldman

14:25 – Double standard in Media + Personal anecdote

18:15 – Dealing with self doubt and struggles early on in career

24:30 – Moving and working for NESN in Boston

28:00 – Early days of MLB Network and Hazel's time there

33:38 – Working with Buck and Dan + Sportsnet

37:01 – Relationship building with players + Rowdy Tellez

39:15 – Carlos Delgado + Troy Tulowitzki

43:35 – Spirited conversations with husband and analyst, Kevin Barker

47:50 – Meeting her in-laws for the first time

49:50 – Hazels parents' reactions on her career and becoming an icon

53:10 – The humanity of Hazel's interview style

56:20 – Hazel's important influence on the next generation

59:30 - Outro

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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/

The Blue Jays head to the New Year having accomplished necessary improvements to the pitching staff, but still needing one big bat to solidify the lineup. The answer could be Bo, or Kyle Tucker, maybe someone else via trade or free agency, but on Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss the implications if this is the final position-player roster. What is the new market for Bichette, now that he has expressed a willingness to consider second base? The Jays ranked sixth in all of MLB in Luxury Tax, but nobody can match the Dodgers. How did the Jays arrive at ranking among the big boys in payroll? Finding a landing spot that would benefit Jose Berrios, ranking the AL East with eight weeks left before spring training 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/

The Mets and Yankees leave Winter Meetings empty-handed while the Dodgers land Edwin Díaz and the Orioles snag Pete Alonso. The Blue Jays stay quiet after earlier moves, introducing free-agent Dylan Cease and taking a Rule 5 flyer. Is Scott Boras controlling MLB's free-agent market? Do the Jays need rotation changes, bullpen help, or clarity on Bo's future? All this and more on Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:17 – Winter Meetings Wrap Up

3:45 – What is Going on with New York?

6:10 – Scott Boras … Master Puppeteer

9:00 – Cease Press Conference

12:00 – John Schneider Media Availability

14:10 – Pete Alonso is an Oriole

17:00 – Kyle Tucker or Bo?

24:40 – Schneider Defends IKF Game 7 Baserunning

27:30 – Jays Add in Rule 5 Draft + Dombrowski Expos Story

33:00 – Changes to Major League Coaching Staff

35:25 – Jeff Kent Elected to Hall of Fame + Bonds, Delgado, Clemens

44:00 - Blue Jays 2026 Rotation Will Look Different

48:10 – Impressions of Cody Ponce

50:30 – Changes from 92 to 93 World Series Teams

53:40 – Love for Jose Berrios + What is his Future?

55:44 – Berrios for Nolan Arenado? Griff Explains

57:44 – Edwin Diaz to LAD and Who is the Jays Closer in 2026?

1:00:00 – Bills Preview + Outro

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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/

In this week's Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss the revamped Blue Jays rotation and how different the starting five is from the one that opened the 2024 season. The upside of Dylan Cease coming off a down season in San Diego and the potential downside of Cody Ponce coming off a career year in Korea. With the narrowing of position player needs, the discussion centres on Bo or Kyle Tucker and how the versatility of Clement and Barger allows the Jays to pivot in any direction. Do they truly need a bona fide closer? How much do they have left in payroll to finish close to last year's $254-million. All this and much more.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:25 – Winter Meetings Preview

6:00 – ERAs committee HOF Vote

10:40 – Dylan Cease Contract

21:00 – Cody Ponce Signs with the Blue Jays + Jose Berrios

35:00 – Thoughts on the 2026 Rotation

41:00 – What are the remaining additions?

48:30 – Breaking down 2026 Payroll and Options

55:00 – Internal Options + Ricky Tiedemann

59:35 – Rule 5 Players

1:01:00 – Expansion back alive in Montreal?

1:02:40 – Outro + Conversation with Hazel Mae

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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/

Conversations With Griff Presents Ellis Valentine

Griff welcomes former Expos outfielder Ellis Valentine, discussing his career as a blossoming young Montreal baseball star in the '70s, derailed in the early '80s by injury and immaturity, from what once was a Hall-of-Fame career path, to finding himself out of MLB prematurely due to injury and a self-destructive lifestyle. The L.A. native talks about his journey from high school star, to second round draft pick in 1972, mentored by Mel Didier and Karl Kuehl in the Expos organization. He talks about similarities with the Jays' homegrown duo of Vlad Jr. and Bo Bichette, as he was linked in his early career with Hall-of-Fame catcher Gary Carter, advancing to the majors year by year from the same draft class and with similar potential. Valentine's big personality shines through as he talks about what it was like being young and an Expo, surrounded by a roster of like-minded friends, winning games in 1979-80, all in their early 20's all single and coming into their own together, with a fanbase that had a chance to get to know them in downtown srettings after almost every game. Ellis offers an opinion on what has happened to the African-American presence in the majors, his dislike of Gene Mauch, how he lost his peripheral vision for three full years after being hit in the face by Roy Thomas of the Cardinals, his trade to the Mets in 1981, his retirement, realizing he needed help and facing the problems head-on. A true Redemption Song of freedom.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

1:31 – 1972 Draft and Being Selected alongside Gary Carter and Bobby Goodman

3:15 – Great Throwing Arms of his Era + Addison Barger

6:50 – Remembering Mel Didier

8:17 – Power Outage Throwing Contest at Olympic Stadium

10:31 – Love of Montreal

12:00 – Being at Athlete in Montreal in the 1970's

15:10 – Growing up in LA and Love of Crenshaw High School

20:45 – MLB Moving Back Towards Contact Over Homeruns?

25:35 – Gene Mauch

32:25 – 1977 All-Star Game

35:30 – Unfortunate Decrease in African American Ball Players and How to Address it

44:10 – Gary Carter

51:10 – Outfielder Development

53:54 – Winter Meetings and Larry Doby

55:45 – Lack of Mentors for Young Players

57:05 – The Redemption of Ellis Valentine + Life After Baseball

1:08:00 - Outro

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Get the audio version of "Griff's Conversations" and the "Exit Philosophy Podcast" 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/ #MontrealExpos #MLB

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

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

----

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/

BONUS EPISODE Shortly after the latest episode of Exit Philosophy, the Blue Jays made a BIG move and signed Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million contract. Griff provides instant reaction to the major move.

Please check out previous episodes of @ExitPhilosophy on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

#torontobluejays #mlb

Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

The MLB Hot Stove is heating up early with several significant trades and with important free agent tires being kicked in earnest. Griff and Mal discuss where the Blue Jays stand with regard to '26 team payroll and what it allows them to do in their attempt to repeat a trip to the World Series. What should be the key free agents they should pursue. Does that include a new closer too slot in ahead of Jeff Hoffman. What about their own free agent, Bo Bichette? Are they in danger of making the same mistake the Leafs did with Mitch Marner, letting him go and feeling they can replace him, no problem. Could a Jays rumoured Diamondbacks trade for 2B Ketel Marte be the solution? Have the GM Meetings in early November replaced the traditional Winter Meetings in importance? All this and more.

Index:

0:00 – Intro

0: 29 -The Hot Stove is Cooking

5:47 – Rule 5 Draft + Blue Jays Outlook

12:35 – Blue Jays 2025 Payroll Issues

17:13 – Relief Pitcher Market + Closer Needs

23:24 – Max Scherzer Wants Back in T.O.

25:29 – Blue Jays vs Maple Leaf Comps

28:10 – Run Prevention Trumps All

30:17 - Blue Jays Extended Window with Contracts

35:00 – Jays Marketing in Japan + Manfred Comments

36:46 – Blue Jays Rumour Mill + Free Agent Fits

49:30 – Final Managerial Spot Filled

51:10 – NFL Thanksgiving Preview

56:25 – Ellis Valentine Conversation Preview + Outro

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

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

----

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/

On Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal welcome former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons for his view on the just-completed World Series, his new gig as bench coach with the Angels, and more. The former skipper, who took his Jays to consecutive ALCS in 2015-16, explains the similarities of his first playoff team that lost to the Royals and the difficulties of repeating the next year. He explains the phenomenon of playing for an entire country and hosting Jays fans compared to others around baseball. He describes his favourite memories from Winter Tours, including driving tanks in Edmonton with his head sticking out the turret and the icicles that formed. Gibby shares his thoughts on clubhouse chemistry, winning, and how talent is the overriding factor. He talks about his first stint as Jays manager in New York when he was appointed while eating a post-game sandwich, his famous dustup with Ted Lilly, and his clubhouse clash with Shea Hillenbrand. He talks about his relationship with the late Davey Johnson. It's all vintage Gibby.

Index:

0:00 – Intro

0:35 – John Gibbons Joins the Show!

1:30 – How Has Gibby Been?

5:40 – Going from Manager to Bench Coach

7:25 – Relationship with Perry Minasian

11:25 – Transitioning from Player to Coaching

16:45 – Managerial Surprises

21:14 – Winning with Good Chemistry

24:00 – Ted Lily

26:00- Changes from 2015 to 2016 with the Blue Jays

29:05 – Young players on 2015 Club

31:10 – The Blue Jays Terrific Fan Base

36:40 – Blue Jays Fans in Seattle

39:00 – Clubhouse Meetings

44:22 – Boston Red Sox Attitude

45:32 – Shea Hillenbrand

47:09 – Thoughts on Starters Innings + Scherzer's Intensity

56:01 – Hitters Strike Zone Awareness and Umpires

58:50 – Thoughts on ABS Challenges

1:00:52 – Mapping out Relief Pitchers + Game Strategy

1:03:50 – Gibby's Hall of Fame Ballot Thoughts

1:10:25 – Remembering Davey Johnson

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

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

----

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/