In this episode of Exit Philosophy, Griffin and Mal discuss the All-star game with all its tweaks, like Mic’d up players, the limited challenge system and the swing off to end a tie. What about the Blue Jays and the 2025 draft. Is scouting director Marc Tramuta bringing a new philosophy? What about Vlad? Is he worth all that money and being the All-Star starting first baseman? Then with the trade deadline approaching, why do they need more bullpen help. 

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INDEX:

0:00 Blue Jays first half and AL East resurgence. 2:11 The Tigers dominate the fading AL Central. 3:29 Tribute to the late Jim Clancy 8:22 All-Star Game opinions 13:08 Mic’d up players at the ASG 16:00Pitch challenges at ASG 21:07 what intangibles separate Vlad and Alejandro Kirk 23:36 Did the Miz deserve all-star invite for Brewers 27:01 Is HR Derby in danger of becoming Slam Dunk competition 30:26 Evaluating Blue Jays draft and rating scouting director Marc Tramuta 38:12 What is Vlad’s worth beyond the statistics 43:52 Why is nobody talking about Bo 46:38 History of 8th overall pick through the years. 48:22 The Bullpen as Achilles Heel 52:26 Ironbacks update

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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 are arriving at the All-Star break with an unexpected lead in the once-again powerful AL East. How did their once-ridiculed farm system create a lineup with this much significant length from unexpected sources? What do the Jays need to do at the trade deadline to maintain a 95-win pace? Was George Springer the biggest All-Star snub and what about Max Scherzer as a legacy selection? The MLB Draft is at hand and the Jays have had just 5 major-leaguers out of the last five drafts. And is it a PR disaster for ownership to jack the price of streaming Jays games by 30% in Sept? Then there’s the Ironbacks.

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INDEX:

Time stamp 7-11

0:00 Intro 

1:04 The MLB Draft

4:58 The Jays Great ‘24 draft

8:40 Draft stories from the Past

12:38 Drafting Brett, Schmidt, and Dan Warthen back-to-back

15:13 Jays all-stars. Did MLB miss the boat on Springer and Scherzer?

24:18 How did Jays get to this point?

27:13 Can Jays sustain and maintain in AL East using trade deadline?

35:18 Anthopoulos and the ‘14 Jays clubhouse revolt at the deadline

38:47 Jays length vs Yankees depth. How the farm system contributed

44:55 Roger’s+ package price increase in Sept. Why? 

49:19 Shoutout to Jays social media 

51:06 Ironbacks report

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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/

Coming off a break from the Exit Philosophy podcast, Griff and Mal return with plenty to talk about as the Blue Jays complete a four-game sweep of the Yankees to take over top spot in the resurgent AL East. How have the Jays gone from two games below .500 on May 28 to the current status of battling for first with the Yanks and Rays? What have been the biggest surprises for this Jays team over the first 88 games? Who are the most important players? What about the injuries? Did injuries to Anthony Santander, Andres Gimenez and Daulton Varsho, in fact, allow the team to discover some diamonds in the rough that have made this lineup deeper and stronger?

Griff and Mal discuss the Blue Jays' major need at the trade deadline and the state of the starting rotation, given the iffy status of Max Scherzer and the likelihood Eric Lauer will suffer some sort of lull later in the year. Will they add an arm?

The ’25 All-Star Game is almost at hand, and Vlad Guerrero Jr. has earned the starting nod at first base with Alejandro Kirk as the AL’s second catcher. Does Vlad’s season thus far warrant him being deserving starter? What should be the criteria for being an all-star?

They discuss the MLB’s biggest trade of the year and the lingering anger in Boston over Rafael Devers being dealt to the Giants. Was Devers being selfish, or did the Red Sox front office mishandle the situation of Alex Bregman taking Raffy’s position with no discussion. Finally, there’s an Ironbacks report and update, after half a season at historic George Taylor Field in St. Catharines. Mal and Griff give their impressions on the newest team in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro  

2:36 Other sports clear the way as Raptors fire Ujiri + Shai Gilgeous Alexander and growing the sport 

8:29 Florida Panthers repeat Stanley Cup. How close were the Leafs?

10:23 The Blue Jays historic run of 33 games and reading into current slim run differential

17:36 Blue Jays four biggest surprise players 

29:25 Analyzing the starting rotation in the age of Lauer and Scherzer

36:00 Biggest Potential Buzz Kills for the Jays hopes  

42:50 Analysis of Rafael Devers deal to Giants. Selfish?  

47:33 Vlad is the AL all-star starting first baseman. Should he be?

51:42 Niagara Ironbacks Update. Learning to love long bus rides and tallboys.

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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 leave home having swept the powerful Padres in three games to complete a 5-4 homestand and now play six, in Tampa (3) and Texas (3). This week’s Exit Philosophy has Griff and Mal weighing in on the big sports story of the moment in Toronto, the Maple Leafs and their parting of ways with president Brendan Shanahan. Are there comparisons with the Jays organization and should Shanahan have been given a media platform on the way out the door. Griff describes a similar situation in the ‘90s with fired manager Buck Rodgers. Is this the moment for the Jays with six primary outfielders, to give a banged-up Anthony Santander 10 IL days to get healthy and regroup? The Jays bullpen has stepped up and is as deep as anyone can remember…except for some blips on the Jeff Hoffman radar. Do they keep him in the closer role? A look at how good MLB teams with slow starts have bounced back and how that reflects on the Jays. The Top 5 List of position players born in the ‘80s is amazingly thin and how is that a caveat for Vlad in the final five seasons of his mega contract. Plus, a Niagara Ironbacks inaugural season (St. Catharines) is looming in the PGCBL. 

INDEX:

0:00 Intro   

0:22 Maple Leafs decision to let president Shanahan go  

2:47 The Jays and the future of their president Shapiro 

5:15 Vlad and Bo and the factor of no salary cap 

10:13 Shanahan’s no presser exit compared to Buck Rodgers  

16:37 Homestand ends with sweep of Padres 

22:29 Jays struggles in Tampa through the years   

27:33 Santander, Springer and the crowded OF mix    

31:40 What happens when Andres Gimenez returns 

36:35 State of the Jays Bullpen   

43:51 Jays Rotation and the looming crisis of 4-5 starters 

50:18 Good teams rebounding from slow starts 

55:36 Phillies emerge as Jordan Romano heats up 

1:02:05 Top 5 List … MLB position players born in the ‘80s 

1:08:13 Niagara Ironbacks Update  

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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/

Very quietly, the Blue Jays have been playing winning ball, since April 30, sabotaged far too often by inexplicable bullpen failures blowing leads in the 8th and 9th innings. In this week’s Exit Philosophy, Mal and Griff discuss those woes that have left the Jays playing pickleball with.500. On Tuesday Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that all-time hits leader Pete Rose has had his ban lifted and he is no longer ineligible for the Hall-of-Fame. Why did baseball do this out of the blue and what does it do to Griff’s respect and perception of MLB and the Hall. How much of this lifting of the ban was due to influence from the White House? The boys discuss the Rafael Devers situation and whether he is a proud superstar or bad teammate and could all this drama have been avoided. A Jays back-end of the rotation review, an update on the Niagara Ironbacks and more. Hit the subscribe button, like and leave a review wherever you listen!

 INDEX:

0:00 Intro   

0:38 Blue Jays bullpen steps up vs Rays  

3:30 Leafs Playoff talk 

6:32 Jays since April 30 could be far better 

10:50 Up and down bullpen over 13 games 

14:48 Back end of Jays rotation forecast 

28:24 Jays injury update and Clement-Barger fill-in   

30:49 Jays who’s hot and who’s not    

33:51 Mal’s Niagara Ironbacks update home opener June 7 

37:44 Pete Rose eligibility restored. What about politics?   

49:11 Red Sox and Rafael Devers position change. Who screwed up? 

61:38 Remaining homestand doesn’t get any easier 

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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 bullpen alarmingly turned three leads into losses on the way to a devastating four-game losing streak vs. the Guardians and Angels. Griff and Mal discuss how rare it is for a team’s two highest leverage relievers to slump at the same time and are there any possible solutions. Recent roster changes include RH Spencer Turnbull and RH Jose Urena  aimed to solve the crisis that has emerged at the back-end of the rotation, filling in for Max Scherzer and after Easton Lucas and his brief two-start time as the answer. Discussing Alan Roden and if it was the right move to send him back to Triple-A in favour of the speedy OF Jonatan Clase. Plus, the Top 5 list of most disappointing teams in baseball andn should that include the Jays…and more. 

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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/

The Blue Jays somehow have arrived at the end of April just two games below .500 despite zero in the way of significant offence. Griff and Mal discuss the individual performances of the season’s first month for Blue Jays hitters and what needs to happen to create a best possible batting order. The Exit Philosophy co-hosts discuss an all-of-a-sudden shaky back end of the rotation and what may have to become an answer. Away from baseball, there was the rogue father issues of Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) and Shedeur Sanders (NFL), plus a look back at a great fund-raising event, a 1,000 person Gala, in Montreal at ExposFest, retiring the uniform numbers of nine former stars, raising over $300K with the major vehicle being a team that left town for Washington D.C. 20 years ago.

INDEX   

0:00 Intro   

0:59 Hockey Playoff comments 

3:18 In praise of the Blue Jays heart 

5:42 Haliburton and Sanders and dealing with sports parents 

15:20 ExposFest in Montreal was a great show 

19:15 April player-by-player review and how Jays are not buried  

42:00 Best batting order vs. RHP    

46:12 Revisiting the Kikuchi trade and what’s at Buffalo  

49:57 The back end of Rotation looking shaky  

53:57 The Bullpen discussion  

55:45 Top 5 April MVPs for Jays   

58:58 Solutions for Jays current crisis 

59:00 Ironbacks update  

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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/

The Blue Jays arrive at the end of April after a rollercoaster ride of fan optimism and despair. The shooting star that was LH Easton Lucas has departed leaving questions of where to go next. What about the batting order after a dismal performance in Houston? Is bringing Daulton Varsho back a stabilizing answer for what ails the Jays, and should George Springer be reintroduced to leadoff? Mal and Griff discuss the Top 5 teams in the latest power rankings and the AL’s rookie class in 2025. All this and far more is in this week’s Exit Philosophy.

INDEX  

0:00 Intro   

0:52 Great time of year for Pro Sports 

7:16 Solving the Jays April woes 

11:40 Bo and the batting order 

16:59 Rotation possibilities 

26:23 Fall behind and feels like its over   

27:52 When should we see Varsho    

32:41 Organization OF depth 

35:59 Oh what a relief it is  

42:25 MLB Top 5 Teams  

48:35 Ranking AL Rookies   

58:58 Solutions for Jays current crisis 

48:13 Top 5 List Jays strikeout games  

1:02:37 Ironbacks update

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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/

Should Blue Jays fans be encouraged by the solid start to the ’25 season, even though there have been obvious flaws and an offence not clicking on all cylinders. Mal and Griff discuss that, plus what to make of the Vlad extension press conference, Max Scherzer’s relationship with his replacement Easton Lucas and what it means to a new-look rotation, how high leverage bullpen pieces have come together and more. They talk about unusual injuries through the years, plus a Top 5 list of Jays strikeouts in a game, a list dominated by Roger Clemens. Finally, there’s the disappointing way Jackie Robinson Day handled by the Dodgers and by MLB.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro   

1:26 Attendance Concerns 

3:45 Jays early success in AL despite flaws 

5:24 Easton Lucas and Max Scherzer 

6:57 Team concept and Lineup Construct 

11:46 In praise of NL West  

14:59 Hoffman and the bullpen    

19:42 Clues from the Vlad Presser 

24:43 Roster Moves and Springer  

33:55 Rotation and Leverage  

37:53 Jackie Robinson   

42:45 Freak Injuries 

48:13 Top 5 List Jays strikeout games  

1:01:05 Ironbacks update  

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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/

The biggest news of the Blue Jays week, of course, was the monstrous 14-year extension offered up to Vlad Guerrero Jr. In addition to outlining the dollar details, Mal and Griff explain the possible ripple effect of the third-largest total value contract in MLB history and what having Vlad, the face of the franchise, on board through 2039 could mean for Bo Bichette, to Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins, for attendance at Rogers Centre and the trickle-down benefitting future free agents like Kyle Tucker. Should the Jays trade Bo if they think they can’t afford both young stars. What about the Jays rotation and the improved length they are giving, compared to a year ago. Is Easton Lucas this year’s Bowden Francis and who are the Top 5 homegrown Blue Jays starting pitchers, signed and developed since 2000. Plus, another week in which EP offers apologies to backup catcher Tyler Heineman, who has started the season like an all-star.    

INDEX

0:00 Intro  

0:31 Jackie Robinson Day and Clemente disrespect 

4:00 Vlad tribute to victims of the DR disaster 

9:22 Vlad’s Contract and its ripple effect 

12:34 What about Bo Bichette 

17:10 Vlad deal impact on Mark and Ross  

20:34 Does Vlad make Jays destination of choice    

22:41 The Stadium renos and no roster rebuild 

26:59 Vlad’s contract details  

34:30 Rotation impact without Scherzer 

38:33 Internal surprises Roden and Lucas  

41:37 Top 5 List Jays homegrown starters  

1:00:41 Varsho update Heineman apology  

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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/