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…

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 Ge…

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…

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 mea…

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…

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 ha…

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 genera…

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?…

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 possib…

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 s…

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…

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 explain…

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 r…

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. W…

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 luc…

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-l…

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…

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 me…

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, knowin…

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 prog…

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 highes…

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 bat…

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 o…

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 po…

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 possibili…

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 un…

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, Rodge…

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 fo…

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 hi…

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 t…

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…

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…

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 o…

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 …

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…

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 …

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 month…

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 C…

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…

Following the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend visit to Wrigley Field, Griff and Scotty Mac, both of whom have been to the fabled stadium on many different occasions, share their favourite memories. The conversation then turns to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s and Bo Bichette's long-term situations, how and why the situations are so different and what, if anyth…

It's the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Major League Baseball players' strike, a sadly pivotal moment in Montreal Expos history and a moment which literally changed the course of Griff's life, as he details in this episode. Then, the guys get into Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro's media availability from last week and it leads to a l…

It's been almost a week since the MLB Trade Deadline and Scotty Mac wants to know, has the dopamine rush ended yet? Getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed long term needs to be the top priority. The guys discuss who of the Toronto Blue Jays' young players should have a guaranteed spot on the 2025 opening day roster. Has the mood changed with regard t…

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Griff and Scotty Mac will be LIVE on YouTube at 8pmET on Tuesday, July 30, recapping the Major League Baseball trade deadline. Join in the conversation at www.youtube.com/@exitphilosophy As of this recording the Toronto Blue Jays have traded Yimi Garcia, Nate Pearson, and Danny Jansen. There's more to come, surely, headlined by Yu…

Griff and this week's co-host, Dave Perkins, discuss their mutual history at the Toronto Star, with Dave as sports editor hiring Griff away from the Montreal Expos. They discuss how fans and the media have evolved through the years from the early 1990s to now. They talk the Hall-of-Fame and memories of Jim Leyland, plus a recent father-son road tri…

Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez wins the Home Run Derby at the MLB All-Star Game. And who was that wearing his jersey? And should those two be reunited in 2025? Griff wonders why a 5-4 western road trip felt worse than the winning record suggests. Scotty Mac ranks MLB franchises from 2001, Rogers first full season as owners of…

Off a mostly successful weekend in Seattle for the Toronto Blue Jays, Griff and Scotty Mac share memories of the annual trip to the Jays' western "home away from home." Do we owe George Springer an apology? With Kevin Pillar reaching the coveted 10 years of Major League service time, the guys celebrate Pillar's unlikely career. Plus, a debate over …

Griff and Scotty Mac record on Tuesday, July 2, fresh off the Toronto Blue Jays' Canada Day loss to the Houston Astros, Toronto's 10th defeat in 13 games. Griff thinks a major piece of the Jays' core could be dealt at the trade deadline; Scotty Mac isn't so sure because of what it would mean for the front office. What was with the empty seats at Ro…

The Toronto Blue Jays are experiencing "a season in crisis," as Scotty Mac now puts it. Griff and Scotty Mac discuss who in the Blue Jays organization needs to speak to this mess and their answer may surprise you. Is there even the posssibility of accountability from on high? How close is the team to be sure-fire sellers at the trade deadline? Who,…

The Toronto Blue Jays have made changes to the roster; it's apparent the club's philosophy also has changed in its pursuit of more offence. Griff and Scotty Mac wonder: is the new philosophy sustainable? The Blue Jays are dealing with another worrying injury in the bullpen. And the 30th anniversary of the OJ Simpson Bronco chase brings up where-wer…

Cavan Biggio's time with the Toronto Blue Jays is over. Were Griff and Scotty Mac surprised? What's the rationale? The guys try to figure out the fifth spot in the starting rotation now that Alek Manoah's season is over. And off of the series victory in Oakland, the guys share memories of the Coliseum now that the Blue Jays have paid their last vis…