The Blue Jays are the Beasts of the East, the hunted not the hunters in this race to the title in what has traditionally been the toughest division in baseball. How did they get there and what about the Yankees and Red Sox. Did Bo Bichette win the bet on himself when he didn’t sign any of the deals that have been offered by the Jays over the past several years and what kind of total value, or AAV could he expect? Does Bo know shortstop or could he do a Marcus Semien? The Yankees seem like a good fit as a new home for the Jays shortstop this coming offseason. How would Bo look in pinstripes? Griff and Mal discuss the well-documented clubhouse confrontation between Phillies star Bryce Harper and MLB Commissioner. Was there a message to his madness and how big an influence was his super-agent Scott Boras? What about when RH Shane Bieber is ready to start in the majors again coming off Tommy John. It’s a great problem to have, deciding whether to go with a six man rotation for the final seven trips through the rotation or the traditional five. LH Eric Lauer has been the most consistent starter but he could be the odd-man out. Are the Blue Jays getting the proper respect from national media and their own fan-base? Why not? Ross Atkins deserves some credit for filling the need for two more hard throwing bullpen arms and a clear roll of the dice with Bieber. Should he have done more at the deadline? Finally, a heartfelt discussion between Mal and Griff about the expansion Niagara Ironbacks' experience in the Perfect Game Collegiate Summer League. With Mal as co-owner and GM and Griff as field manager, the two compare memories of a team that despite a difficult season on the field, provided a culture that stayed bonded in the clubhouse and dugout.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

2:25 - As Bichette steps up offensively so does his price tag. Will he remain at short.

14:44 - Tale of the tape Manfred vs. Bryce Harper clubhouse dustup

21:12 - Do Blue Jays get the respect they deserve and why not?

25:43 - What to do with Shane Bieber and the existing 5-man rotation.

33:57 - Who is the Jays main threat in the AL East, Red Sox or Yankees

 41:13 - In praise of Ross Atkins.

46:40 - Will the prospect capital sent away at the deadline haunt the Jays?

49:49 - The Jays have a record $75.6M on the IL. Significance?

 52:47 - A tribute to the Niagara Ironbacks expansion season and a reaffirmation of why we love baseball and team sports.

59:11 - 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/