Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

After missing out on Kyle Tucker, Mets owner Steve Cohen pivoted quickly to Bo Bichette, triggering a ripple effect across MLB free agency. On Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down Bo's awkward Mets introduction, questions about leaving the Blue Jays, opt-outs, and the Phillies deal that fell apart. The episode also covers the 2026 Hall of Fame results, a weak first-year ballot, a look ahead to Buster Posey and the 2027 class, plus MLB Network's Top 100 list—highlighting the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and a debate over John Schneider vs. Dave Roberts.
INDEX:
0:00 Intro
0:43 Bo leaves for Mets and his presser at CitiField
4:38 How will Bo handle New York
7:36 Bichette and his opt-outs
12:15 Bo at 3rd base and the new Mets defence
16:42 Phils thought they had a deal with Bo
18:24 Signs Bo was not coming back to T-O
23:13 What about Cody Bellinger
25:48 Jays still could use a bullpen arm
29:16 Bo says goodbye to fans via Hazel Mae
34:57 Beltan and Andruw Jones to Cooperstown
41:39 Dave Stieb and the Hall's Veteran Committee
43:17 Buster Posey leads new candidates in '27
47:46 MLB Network Top 100 players
51:46 Re-Ranking 2026 AL East
55:08 Jays non-roster invitees to watch
58:34 Salary Cap and the new CBA
1:06:04 NFL Championship Weekend
1:10:49 Niagara Ironbacks update
1:12:07 Bob Elliott's CBN's Top 100 influential CDNs.
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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/

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
----
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
----
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
----
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/