Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a busy week, and on this episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down all the latest Blue Jays news, controversies, roster decisions, and major developments around Major League Baseball. Anthony Santander continues to make his five-year free-agent contract look like a questionable investment after two injury-plagued seasons in Toronto. Now, his recent comments about U.S. midterm elections and Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed have created another controversy, forcing the Blue Jays to respond to media questions. Griff and Mal look back at previous Blue Jays controversies and examine how the organization has handled difficult situations. The Blue Jays have also declined the $8 million team option on popular outfielder Myles Straw for 2027. What does this decision mean for Straw's future in Toronto? Is there more to the story, and could he still return to the Blue Jays? With MLB award season approaching, Griff and Mal break down the leading candidates and make their picks for this year's major awards. Plus, with less than a month remaining before a potential MLB lockout on December 1, what should baseball fans expect? How are MLB teams preparing for a possible labour stoppage, and what could the looming collective bargaining dispute mean for the future of baseball? All this and more on the latest episode of Exit Philosophy, your weekly discussion of Toronto Blue Jays baseball and the biggest stories across Major League Baseball.  

The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions for the first time in franchise history! After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in five games, two of baseball's most likeable low-payroll teams delivered a memorable Fall Classic. But what lessons can MLB take away from this championship matchup? On this week's Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the 2026 World Series, what the Brewers' historic victory means for the future of baseball, and how the upcoming December 1 MLB lockout could impact the offseason. Will the final month before the lockout bring business as usual, or will we see a frenzy of free-agent signings before the deadline? Which starting pitchers should the Toronto Blue Jays target as they look to bounce back from a disappointing sub-.500 season? Plus, is baseball's copycat culture about to produce the next Chandler Simpson? Can speed, athleticism and raw hitting ability be developed in an organization's hitting lab? And is baseball on the radio really dead, as one former MLB executive seems to believe? All that and more on this week's Exit Philosophy! Topics include: Milwaukee Brewers win their first World Series championship Lessons from the Brewers vs. Rays Fall Classic Two low-payroll teams reach the World Series  MLB lockout scheduled for December 1 Potential free-agent frenzy before the lockout Toronto Blue Jays offseason pitching targets Building the next Chandler Simpson Player development, speed and athleticism The future of baseball on radio

The World Series matchup is set: the Tampa Bay Rays vs. the Milwaukee Brewers! Two small-market teams, two of the best records in Major League Baseball, and two division winners with plenty to prove. Griff and Mal break down the World Series matchup and what it could mean for the future of MLB. With Rays manager Kevin Cash and Brewers manager Pat Murphy both blending analytics with instinct, these teams share plenty of similarities, including strong defences, dominant bullpens and payrolls ranked 20th and 23rd in MLB. Could their success strengthen the argument for a salary cap in baseball, or does this matchup prove that smart roster construction can overcome financial limitations? Plus, Griff and Mal discuss Junior Caminero's incredible 38-second home run trot, whether speedy outfielder Chandler Simpson could inspire a new trend in MLB roster construction, and what the Rays-Brewers World Series tells us about building a winning team. On the Toronto Blue Jays front, the guys examine a surprising group of five Blue Jays Gold Glove nominees and debate what Toronto should do with players whose futures with the team remain uncertain heading into the 2027 MLB season. On this episode of Exit Philosophy: ⚾ Rays vs. Brewers World Series preview and analysis ⚾ MLB salary cap debate and competitive balance ⚾ Kevin Cash and Pat Murphy: analytics vs. instinct ⚾ Junior Caminero's 38-second home run trot ⚾ Chandler Simpson and the value of speed in MLB ⚾ Toronto Blue Jays Gold Glove nominees ⚾ Blue Jays roster decisions and the outlook for 2027 Subscribe to Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal for MLB analysis, Toronto Blue Jays news, baseball commentary, World Series coverage and discussions about the biggest issues shaping Major League Baseball.

The MLB Championship Series are underway, and Griff and Mal are breaking down the biggest storylines shaping the postseason and the future of Major League Baseball on this week's episode of Exit Philosophy! MLB PLAYOFFS: ARE THE BEST TEAMS REALLY BEING REWARDED? With four top-seeded teams battling for a World Series championship, we examine how they got here, whether the Los Angeles Dodgers have the motivation to win a third consecutive World Series, and why bullpen management has become such a dominant factor in October baseball. Are built-in off days giving elite relievers too much influence over playoff outcomes? Could changes to the postseason schedule give the best teams over 162 games a better chance to prove their superiority? MLB SALARY CAP: IS IT ABOUT COMPETITIVE BALANCE OR MONEY? MLB owners have proposed changes that could benefit baseball, but those proposals are tied to implementing a salary cap. With three of the final four teams coming from the bottom 11 MLB payrolls, does this postseason undermine the argument that a salary cap is necessary to create competitive balance? Or is the push really about cost certainty for owners and the potential expansion fees from new MLB franchises? TORONTO BLUE JAYS: WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR 2027? The Blue Jays' offensive struggles cannot be ignored after finishing as MLB's lowest-scoring team. Could Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s reported laser eye surgery lead to a resurgence in 2027, or does that optimism risk overlooking the team's bigger problems? Griff and Mal break down what Toronto needs to change around the diamond this offseason, which positions require upgrades, and whether the Blue Jays should pursue another starting pitcher to slot behind Dylan Cease and ahead of José Soriano in the rotation. From the MLB postseason and World Series race to salary cap controversy, competitive balance, and the Toronto Blue Jays' 2027 offseason, it's another wide-ranging episode of Exit Philosophy! LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to Exit Philosophy, and turn on notifications for more Toronto Blue Jays analysis, MLB news, baseball debates, and offseason discussion. #BlueJays #MLBPlayoffs #MLB #ExitPhilosophy #TorontoBlueJays #WorldSeries #MLBSalaryCap #VladimirGuerreroJr   ---- 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/

On this week's Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the latest Toronto Blue Jays year-end review from Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins and look ahead to the biggest questions facing the Jays heading into the 2027 season. With the MLB offseason underway, what could a potential Dec. 1 lockout mean for the Blue Jays' plans for 2027? Griff and Mal examine the potential impact on Toronto's offseason strategy, roster construction and free-agent plans. The discussion also focuses on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his offensive struggles, what the Blue Jays should do to get Vlad back on track, and whether Ernie Clement should have a permanent role as a starter. Plus, why Randy Arozarena could be an intriguing fit for the Blue Jays in free agency. Griff and Mal also break down the current MLB playoff picture, including the surprising number of teams from the bottom half of MLB payrolls still competing, and what that could mean for the future of baseball's competitive landscape. Plus, the guys unveil their projected Blue Jays starting lineup for 2027, discuss the biggest offseason priorities and look at what Toronto needs to do to get back into contention. ---- 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 Toronto Blue Jays' 2026 season is officially over, and the finale at Rogers Centre was filled with emotion, controversy and plenty to discuss on Exit Philosophy. Max Scherzer and George Springer received emotional farewell tributes in front of an appreciative Blue Jays crowd as Toronto closed out a disappointing 2026 season. But did the focus on two departing stars overshadow the bigger story of an 80-82, sub-.500 finish? Then there's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his controversial Spanish-language interview in Baltimore. What happened, how did the comments become such a major story, and what can the Blue Jays and Vlad learn from the situation going forward? With Toronto's season over, Exit Philosophy also previews all four 2026 MLB Wild Card Series and examines the teams that were the biggest disappointments around Major League Baseball.  Plus, more Blue Jays offseason questions, MLB playoff discussion and plenty more from Griff and Mal. #BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #VladimirGuerreroJr #MaxScherzer #GeorgeSpringer #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #BlueJays2026 #ExitPhilosophy INDEX: 0:00 Intro 0:30 Jays' End of Season Drama 1:25 Scherzer & Springer Farewells 9:24 Valenzuela on Scherzer 14:14 Vlad's Controversial Interview 28:04 Jays Finish 80-82 34:43 MLB Wild Card Preview 39:06 2026 Blue Jays Strengths & Weaknesses 45:24 MLB's Most Disappointing Teams 49:20 Giants' Tony Vitello Experiment 52:49 What Do the Jays Need for 2027? 58:33 NFL Week 3 Talk ---- 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/

This week on Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the Toronto Blue Jays' final nine games of the season and the decisions facing manager John Schneider as the Jays navigate a thin three-man rotation and a bullpen that needs to be ready every day. With the Blue Jays playoff push entering crunch time, can Schneider think outside the box with his pitching staff? What does the bullpen look like down the stretch, and should Joe Mantiply and Michael Lorenzen continue to be used in high-leverage situations? Plus, Shane Bieber has an interesting conversation with Griff about his future, including the possibility of betting on himself with a short-term contract in hopes of maximizing a bigger free-agent deal down the road—and whether the Toronto Blue Jays could be a fit in 2027. The guys also look ahead to the Blue Jays offseason, including what Toronto needs to do to improve its offence, potential roster moves, and whether this could be the organization's best rookie class since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette debuted in 2019. Subscribe to Exit Philosophy for more Blue Jays analysis, MLB news, player discussions, playoff coverage and Toronto Blue Jays offseason talk. #BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNews #ExitPhilosophy #ShaneBieber   ---- 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/

Blue Jays Wild Card Push: Are They Emerging as the Team to Beat? | Keegan Matheson Joins Exit Philosophy On this week's Exit Philosophy, Mal and Griff welcome MLB.com Blue Jays beat writer and author Keegan Matheson as guest host for a wide-ranging discussion about the Toronto Blue Jays and their push for the American League Wild Card. With the postseason race heating up, has the Blue Jays' recent surge made them the favourite to claim the final AL Wild Card spot? The guys break down the Jays' playoff chances, the starting rotation, bullpen workload, injuries, and the impact of the team's emerging rookies. Keegan brings a fresh perspective on what has been one of the busiest bullpens in the American League, the Blue Jays' pitching depth, and the players making an impact down the stretch. Plus, a closer look at what makes Brett Bateman so special and, of course, plenty of discussion about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The episode also begins with personal reflections and memories of September 11, 2001, before turning to the Blue Jays' increasingly fascinating October chase. Toronto Blue Jays | Blue Jays Playoffs | AL Wild Card | MLB | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Brett Bateman | Keegan Matheson | Blue Jays News | Blue Jays Podcast ---- 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 AL Wild Card race is WILD — and with just 21 games remaining, the Toronto Blue Jays are right in the middle of the fight to become the best mediocre team in the American League. On this episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the chaotic Wild Card race. Who are the real contenders, which teams have fallen out, and can the Blue Jays actually make a playoff run? The boys also examine the Jays' injury situation. Do Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and Anthony Santander have enough time to return from injury and become factors down the stretch? The Blue Jays' series against Cleveland was filled with fundamental mistakes, defensive lapses and throwing errors, reigniting a bigger debate about the direction of baseball. Is the sport putting too much emphasis on athleticism and getting young players to the major leagues before they are truly ready — and has the importance of fundamentals been lost? Finally, Griff and Mal dive into MLB labour relations, discussing the strategies players and owners could use as baseball heads toward what could be an inevitable off-season showdown.  Wild Card chaos. Injuries. Fundamentals. Player development. MLB labour. It's all on the table. Subscribe to Exit Philosophy with Griff & Mal and join the conversation INDEX: 0:00 - Intro 1:15 - Wild AL Wild Card Race + Blue Jays Outlook and Chances 30:25 - Is there a baseball fundamentals problem in the big leagues? + Athleticism reigns supreme 42:40 - MLB News and Notes 1:02:20 - 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 playoff clock is ticking for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays, with fan frustration boiling over after Thursday's loss to the Royals. Should Toronto shift its goal to simply finishing the season at .500? Griff and Mal also discuss Michael Lorenzen's long road back, Brett Bateman's surprising emergence and his potential importance to the 2027 Blue Jays, while paying tribute to Buck Martinez and remembering legendary Expos broadcaster Jacques Doucet. All that and more on Exit Philosophy. INDEX: 0:00 -Intro 0:40 - Buck Martinez Day Celebration 7:50 - R.I.P. Jacques Doucet 16:50 - KC Royals Series Debacle + Michael Lorenzen 27:48 - The Fans are Booing Vlad + What is the Solution? 38:40 - The AL Wildcard Picture 48:40 - Is Brett Bateman the Starting CF in 2027? 52:12 - 2027 Pitching Staff 57:13 - MLB News 1:01:25 - 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/