Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

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 w...

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...

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.

I...

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 Jacki...

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 ab...

The Blue Jays opening homestand was undeniably less than satisfying, even though the team finished up a successful 5-2 set at Rogers Centre before heading to New York for the Mets home opener. Maybe it’s because the attendance was disappointing. Maybe it was that the front end of the bullpen was abysmal in three of the games, led by the failures of secondary southpaws Richard Lovelady and his replacement Mason Fluharty. On this edition of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss MGR John Schneider’s learning process with a team relying on its rotation and some spectacular defence to g...

Opening Day is about renewal, but there were things about Thursday that remain extremely disappointing for the Blue Jays, from the lukewarm reception accorded to players upon pre-game introductions at Rogers Centre, to the light booing of the US anthem, to a patriotic fan being thrown out of the ballpark for his choice of message on his baseball hat, to the on-field mistakes, both mental and physical, committed by the home team in a 12-2 loss to the O’s. Griff and Mal discuss the manager’s choice of Jose Berrios ahead of Kevin Gausman, the structure of the open...

With a week to go before Opening Day, Blue Jays’ president Mark Shapiro held his annual spring media availability in Florida and offered a surprisingly optimistic outlook on the possibility of a long-term contract extension for Vlad Guerrero Jr. Following a dismal winter of fans pondering Shapiro’s early opinion that Vlad was good, but not a generational talent, the CEO now cites the perceived desire for a mutual outcome and wants to make the 26-year-old first baseman a “legacy player.” Mal and Griff discuss this welcomed turn of events, plus the Max Scherzer thumb issue and how did it get t...

With more and more information leaking out last week regarding Vlad Guerrero Jr. and his multi-year contract expectations, Mal and Griff discuss whether there is there any team in baseball that will meet the 26-year-old’s apparent demands for a “current value” contract extension for 14 years that would almost equal Ohtani and may start with a five? And what happens if Vlad posts numbers more like 2023 than his MVP level ’24 stats? Dave Roberts after years of being second-guessed was rewarded by the Dodgers making him the highest paid manager in MLB. How did he reach that point and is there an...

Although the Blue Jays, rotation depth is a strength, entering MLB’s Fantasy draft season, the 5-man starting group is only ranked borderline good enough to make the post-season. Mal and Griff discuss that, plus which Jay starter should be given the opening day nod, why the art of tanking for draft position means less in baseball, is it even possible to improve a bad Jays bench, and more. Leave a review, like and subscribe!

INDEX:

0:00-Intro 

0:31 Blue Jays advantage finally open season at home 

6:00 Creative Trea Turner challenge of Scherzer firs...

Switching up the Exit Philosophy gears, veering away from the all-Vlad all the time debate, Mal and Griff check in with their deep dive into the similar choices for 26-year-old Bo Bichette between a Blue Jays contract extension or should they move to explore a trade. They talk the impact on the Jays of Max Scherzer, early reports on the challenge system, the future impact of new hitting coach David Popkins and far more. Subscribe, like and leave a review!

INDEX:

0:00-Intro  

1:26 Tkachuk won’t let Four Nations controversy fade  <...

It seems everything the Blue Jays have tried to accomplish in free agency the last two years has served to drive up the price of signing their own superstar, Vlad Guerrero Jr. leading to a Catch-22 of finding an extension with which both sides can live. On Exit Philosophy, Mal and Griff discuss the effect of the Jays serious bids the last two years for Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto and, now, where they think Vlad fits in under his unique circumstance. They explain the ripple effect of not signing Vlad with regard to their fans, inside the clubhouse...

  Spring has sprung in MLB and something special takes over the body and mind of all baseball fans, as pitchers and catchers wander out to their respective fields on a February morning to get loose for the first time, in Florida and Arizona. It’s the same feeling for the group, but different for everyone with a deep attachment to baseball, as explained by Mal and Griff. How can the Blue Jays payroll be Top 10, but they have only two of the Top 100 ranked players in the game? Top MLB prospects? No better. On the free-agent front, Alex Bregman is the...

The Blue Jays are spending $77.5M in payroll on their talented Top 4 starting pitchers, so how to protect this investment and make sure the rotation has its best chance to remain healthy and productive. Mal and Griff outline a plan for a six-man rotation that affords at least one extra day of rest for 90 of 97 games pre-All-Star. With Pete Alonso re-signing with the Mets, are the Jays done with improvements to the lineup and, if so, what letter-grade do they deserve. The Top 5 list is rating the AL infields and do the Jays make the list? A Super Bowl...

The late-breaking Max Scherzer signing by the Blue Jays leads this week’s discussion on Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal. Is the Dodgers spending spree in building a potential dynasty good for baseball. Does MLB, in fact, need an Evil Empire? An up close look at MLB win totals from Bet 365 with the Jays set at 76.5. Mal says that’s about right. Why is nobody allowed to talk directly to Pete Alonso? Have the Jays done enough this off-season and can it ever be enough without extending Vlad?

INDEX: 

0:00-Max Scherzer signing 

9:15-NFL c...

How important for the 2025 season was the  Blue Jays signing of OF Anthony Santander to a five-year free-agent contract and what does the projected lineup now look like. Griff and Mal discuss. They evaluate the merits of Hall-of-Fame voting results and the ‘25 class featuring Ichiro, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. The Top 5 list compiles the most lucrative total value contracts in Jays history, led by George Springer, at $140M. The fact that is the 89th biggest deal in MLB history leads to the belief that if you are going to claim to be a big-market team then you need to...

Having recently joined the Reds as manager, Terry Francona is eventually headed to the Hall-of-Fame, but for now has accepted the challenge in Cincinnati and their talented young stars. Tito joins Griff’s Conversation and reflects on his years as a player with the Expos, as teammates with Pete Rose, managing Michael Jordan, being a son of a major-leaguer, friendships in baseball, managing the Rex Sox, breaking the Curse of the Bambino and far more. 

INDEX:

0:00 - Intro 

0:39 - Good health and a comeback with the Reds

2:03 - Relating to a youn...

Following Blue Jays signing of closer Jeff Hoffman to a 3-year, $33-million free agent contract, it was leaked that the O’s and Braves had each reached a tentative agreement with the ex-Phillies setup man, but didn’t like what the physicals revealed and backed away. That may mean the Jays were actually a third choice for the team’s own former first round draft pick, lining up with other, apparent, bronze medal finishes surrounding Ohtani, Soto, Corbin Burnes and maybe an upcoming podium finish with RHP Roki Sasaki. Exit philosophy explains that the Jays still have some money availa...

The Jays payroll fog has lifted with MLB’s arbitration deadline seeing all seven roster players agree to terms for 2025, leaving well over $30M to add talent for a quick rebuild. But it still all seems to centre on Vlad Guerrero and whether he will be long-term or simply one and done as a ‘26 free agent. Vlad signed for $28.5M and what does that mean? Mal and I do a deep dive into the Jays projected final payroll and how they may spend to add talent with half the off-season remaining. Our Top 5 list is of current managers with no M...

In Griff’s Conversation, my guest is the ever-resilient Blue Jays broadcaster, Buck Martinez. Still going strong and ready for another season, Buck goes deep regarding his often complex relationships with Ernie Whitt, Bobby Cox, his Jays teammates, Chris Berman and Cal Ripken’s game-saving moment, the Toronto media, his time as Jays manager, knowing he was going to be fired, his work-ethic with partners in the booth, his respect and genuine affection for the fan base and his wife of 50 years, Arlene, his trusted advisor and guiding light.

----

Get the video version of "Exit...

The new year has arrived and, following Exit Philosophy’s one week holiday hiatus, nothing has really changed for the baffling Blue Jays. With more than half the off-season still ahead, prior to Opening Day, in terms of the Jays wish-list, they could use another outfield bat, a starter, and, most especially, fans would love to see any signs of progress in signing Vlad Guerrero Jr to an extension. But, do they really want to sign their star first-baseman? This week, Griff and Mal and discuss who is most to blame for the Vlad crisis. Is it Edward Rogers, Ma...

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...

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.

----

Get the video version of Exit...

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.

----

Get the video version of...

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...

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.

----

Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on YouTube:

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

----

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...

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.

----

Get the video versio...

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 of...

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.

----

Get the video version of Exit Philosophy on Youtube:

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

 ----

For the f...

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 sign...

Griff and Mal in Episode 40 discuss the damaging changes in MLB post-season strategy wherein bullpens dominate and a deep starting rotation is no longer important. At a time when baseball should be offering up its marquee pitching stars to combat the competition — the opening of the NBA and NHL seasons, with the NFL in full swing, 6-7 pitchers in a combined shutout is how teams feel they can win. Exit Philosophy revisits the legacy of Cito Gaston and examines the encouraging trajectory of youth and elite baseball in Canada.  

----

Get the audio version of Exi...

After a short hiatus, Exit Philosophy returns with interim co-host, Mal Romanin, who enters with 12 years as the Blue Jays Director of Communications, with that coming off 10 years in the Jays press box as an original analytics guy. Featured in Episode 39 are discussions on the difficulties in a 5-month Blue Jays rebuild, especially with this front-office, a look at the remaining MLB playoff participants, critiquing the Shapiro/Atkins end-of-year availability, plus a series of sure-fire NFL Week 6 winners.

---- 

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

Apple: ht...

Earlier this summer, Griff’s the Pitch caught up with Ernie Whitt for a wide-ranging conversation in which the former Jays’ catcher describes his time in Toronto, many of the highlight moments from his 26 years as manager of Team Canada that includes every WBC event and how his experiences almost make him feel Canadian. 

----

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...

 <

What, if anything, is there left for the Toronto Blue Jays to learn about themselves in the final three games of the regular season? Griff and Scotty Mac discuss the roster machinations which cost Rowdy Tellez a bonus in Pittsburgh and Zach Pop crucial service time in Toronto. Griff takes us back to 1979 to counter those who are upset the Mets and Braves will play an inclement weather-influenced doubleheader the day after the regular season ends. The episode closes with the guys making an announcement.

It was 55 years ago that an entire nation was introduced to the passion of Montreal Expos baseball. Canada's first Major League Baseball team was on TV just once per week, so it was all about re-creating in your mind's eye via Dave Van Horne and his partners on radio. Dave was the voice of summer for many generations. In our latest Griff's Baseball Conversations, Dave and I recall the start of his career, the many Hall-of-Fame partners he worked with, and we go down the list of positive franchise memories that still make us all smile.

Griff and Scotty Mac celebrate Shohei Ohtani's historic 50/50 season (50 home runs, 50 stolen bases), but not before they break down Rogers' takeover of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and what it means for the Toronto Blue Jays and the professional sports landscape in the city. Included in the discussion, the increasingly blurred relationship between the teams and the media which cover them.

After starting off with more love for Toronto Blue Jays breakout Bowden Francis, Griff and Scotty Mac shift their attention to recent comments from shortstop Bo Bichette, whose 2024 season has been one he'd like to forget. What Bo told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi was markedly different than what he told the Toronto Star's Rosie DiManno a couple of months ago; the guys consider Bo's motivations and options in the months and year ahead.

The Toronto Blue Jays are into the final month of the season and the kids have been playing long enough now for Griff and Scotty Mac to play "Realistic Ronnies" (as opposed to "Negative Nellies") and give their opinions on where the young players fit, or don't, on the 2025 roster and beyond. Bowden Francis continues to ascend; and a comment about Chris Bassitt triggers memories of the guys covering R.A. Dickey.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: A longer, unedited version of this episode can be found, no later than Wednesday, on youtube.com/@exitphilosophy. In this episode, Griff and Scotty Mac discuss the recent 16-game run against lesser teams and whether the Toronto Blue Jays 10-6 record was a mirage. Joey Votto retires - did the Blue Jays handle it properly? And as Bo Bichette nears a return from the injured list the guys discuss whether he can salvage his season.