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. ---- 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/
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1:05:48
The Need For Big Boy Bats
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 ---- 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/
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1:05:23
The Blue Jays April Showers
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 ---- 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/
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1:04:53
The Vlad Legacy Being Written
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 ---- 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/
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1:02:53
The Vlad Factor
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 ---- 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/
Richard Griffin and Mal Romanin talk baseball, sports and life. They discuss their mutual love of baseball and how it is they arrived at the point in their lives, teaming up for Exit Philosophy. A large dose of Blue Jays talk, where nothing is off limits with honest opinions and smart suggestions for making things better in sports and life.
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