Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

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 ---- 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/

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 ---- 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 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. ---- 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 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 ---- 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/

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 ---- 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/