The Blue Jays may indeed be receiving Herculean efforts from the lineup and the starting rotation, but when it comes to closing out ballgames, the bullpen and the way the relievers are being used are clearly their Achilles' Heel. Griff and Mal discuss the Jays' relief corps individually and consider whether it can be improved. And what about Trey Yesavage? The danger sign showed up in the Reds series, allowing 23 runs. Three games, yet winning two. Exit Philosophy recounts the sports world’s issues of the week…Kahwi and the Clippers, Boone and the Yankees, Framber’s hissy-fit, who are the legit AL East contenders, and more. We rank the Jays Top 3 players of the year, plus it’s NFL Week 1, and we give you each of our Top 5 best bets.

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INDEX:

0:00 - Intro

1:25 - Thoughts on Kawhi Leonard/Clippers Scandal and Salary Cap in Sports

8:00 - Yankees Fallout and Umpire Frustrations vs Houston in Loss

12:45 - Did Framber Valdez Cross Up His Catcher on Purpose?

18:27 - Roman Anthony Out for Season, What is Red Sox Outlook?

22:10 - Will There be a 100 Win Team This Year?

27:15 - Recapping the Blue Jays/Reds Series and What Is Going on With The Pitching?

34:42 - Blue Jays Defensive Limitations

36:40 - The Bullpen and What NEEDS to Happen

50:50 - Trey Yesavage Is Ready to Pitch Out of the Pen

54:30 - Who is the Blue Jays 2025 MVP?

58:25 - Week 1 NFL picks ATS

1:05:21 - Outro

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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/

The Blue Jays know it’s crunch time and manager John Schneider has worked the rotation to have his three best starts vs. the Brewers then in the Bronx. Griff and Mal discuss extra rest for Lauer, making the bullpen great again, AL Top 5 MVPs, the importance of avoiding the Wildcard round, shoutouts to Cito Gaston, Markham’s Jonah Tong called up to the Mets and more.

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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/

On this weeks episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal reflect on the series vs Pittsburgh and Tommy Pham's infamous ball four bat flip. Will Shane Bieber force the hands of the Blue Jays brass and insert himself at the top of the rotation and who will get bumped? Rob Manfred keeps making headlines, this time about league realignment and expansion. Canadian slugger Owen Caissie is just starting his big league career, and some other happenings around Major League Baseball.

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INDEX:

0:00 Intro

1:32 Pirates series discussion. Why Pham is fleeting

5:30 Vlad’s aching hamstring and a series they needed to win

12:02 Yankees, other chasers and the comfort of reaching 90 wins

17:14 Rotation abundance of riches and is Lauer now a reliever

25:35 Setting up a playoff Rotation

36:06 Rob Manfred’s worst laid plans…expansion, realignment and more

48:46 Shoutout to Owen Caissie and more. Astros woes, Wheeler surgery.

55:41 Final thoughts and more.

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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/

For a rare appearance in front of Blue Jays media, team president Mark Shapiro talks about his future with Rogers ownership as he nears the end of his contract. On Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discusses Shapiro’s views on the evolution of his manager John Schneider, what his lukewarm comments on negotiations with Bo Bichette might mean, the success of the team compared to 2024 and more. The boys explain the importance of Mason Fluharty’s huge strikeout of Shohei Ohtani and how it may have saved the psyche of the clubhouse. Heading to September, will the lefty combo of Brendon Little and Fluharty, if they are joined by Eric Lauer, be an advantage. It may be that Sahlen Field in Buffalo was the place to be this week, with Alek Manoah, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber all getting a chance to start for the AAA-Bisons. Also, is 90 wins the target for the Blue Jays to safely earn a playoff spot … and more.

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INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:37 The media avail of Mark Shapiro

5:20 Shapiro on Shapiro’s future

10:43 Bo’s future with the Jays

23:02 Manager John Schneider performance review and question of an extension

31:25 Shapiro remembers the anniversary of the start of the ‘94 strike and the Indians

34:34 The impact of Fluharty’s strikeout of Ohtani in L A.

41:05 Building a late-season Jays bullpen with 3 lefties and Yesavage

46:36 Building a shortened playoff rotation

49:37 Targeting 90 wins for the Jays

55:27 Raleigh or Judge for AL MVP

59:39 Ironbacks summary and looking ahead

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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/

The Blue Jays are the Beasts of the East, the hunted not the hunters in this race to the title in what has traditionally been the toughest division in baseball. How did they get there and what about the Yankees and Red Sox. Did Bo Bichette win the bet on himself when he didn’t sign any of the deals that have been offered by the Jays over the past several years and what kind of total value, or AAV could he expect? Does Bo know shortstop or could he do a Marcus Semien? The Yankees seem like a good fit as a new home for the Jays shortstop this coming offseason. How would Bo look in pinstripes? Griff and Mal discuss the well-documented clubhouse confrontation between Phillies star Bryce Harper and MLB Commissioner. Was there a message to his madness and how big an influence was his super-agent Scott Boras? What about when RH Shane Bieber is ready to start in the majors again coming off Tommy John. It’s a great problem to have, deciding whether to go with a six man rotation for the final seven trips through the rotation or the traditional five. LH Eric Lauer has been the most consistent starter but he could be the odd-man out. Are the Blue Jays getting the proper respect from national media and their own fan-base? Why not? Ross Atkins deserves some credit for filling the need for two more hard throwing bullpen arms and a clear roll of the dice with Bieber. Should he have done more at the deadline? Finally, a heartfelt discussion between Mal and Griff about the expansion Niagara Ironbacks' experience in the Perfect Game Collegiate Summer League. With Mal as co-owner and GM and Griff as field manager, the two compare memories of a team that despite a difficult season on the field, provided a culture that stayed bonded in the clubhouse and dugout.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

2:25 - As Bichette steps up offensively so does his price tag. Will he remain at short.

14:44 - Tale of the tape Manfred vs. Bryce Harper clubhouse dustup

21:12 - Do Blue Jays get the respect they deserve and why not?

25:43 - What to do with Shane Bieber and the existing 5-man rotation.

33:57 - Who is the Jays main threat in the AL East, Red Sox or Yankees

41:13 - In praise of Ross Atkins.

46:40 - Will the prospect capital sent away at the deadline haunt the Jays?

49:49 - The Jays have a record $75.6M on the IL. Significance?

52:47 - A tribute to the Niagara Ironbacks expansion season and a reaffirmation of why we love baseball and team sports.

59:11 - 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/

Coming out of one of the busiest MLB trade deadline days in recent memory, the Blue Jays feel they may have completed their shopping list, adding a former Cy Young Award winner, a right handed bat and a hard throwing reliever to go with Seranthony Dominguez obtained from the O’s two days earlier. Was that enough for Ross Atkins and the Jays to rank among the Top 6 winners heading down the stretch and what’s the best way to coax a rehabbing Shane Bieber remaining healthy into October? Rich Griffin rolls solo for this episode with Mal set to return next week.

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INDEX:

0:00 Intro

1:00 How O’s disaster forced Jays hand

2:22 Zane Smith vs. Seranthony Dominguez

4:28 Bieber and a 6-man rotation

8:30 Trade with the Twins

11:35 Shape of the pen

12:25 Top 6 Deadline winners

26:1 Wrap-up of busy day

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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 episode of Exit Philosophy, Griffin and Mal discuss the All-star game with all its tweaks, like Mic’d up players, the limited challenge system and the swing off to end a tie. What about the Blue Jays and the 2025 draft. Is scouting director Marc Tramuta bringing a new philosophy? What about Vlad? Is he worth all that money and being the All-Star starting first baseman? Then with the trade deadline approaching, why do they need more bullpen help.

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INDEX:

0:00 Blue Jays first half and AL East resurgence.
2:11 The Tigers dominate the fading AL Central.
3:29 Tribute to the late Jim Clancy
8:22 All-Star Game opinions
13:08 Mic’d up players at the ASG
16:00Pitch challenges at ASG
21:07 what intangibles separate Vlad and Alejandro Kirk
23:36 Did the Miz deserve all-star invite for Brewers
27:01 Is HR Derby in danger of becoming Slam Dunk competition
30:26 Evaluating Blue Jays draft and rating scouting director Marc Tramuta
38:12 What is Vlad’s worth beyond the statistics
43:52 Why is nobody talking about Bo
46:38 History of 8th overall pick through the years.
48:22 The Bullpen as Achilles Heel
52:26 Ironbacks update

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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 are arriving at the All-Star break with an unexpected lead in the once-again powerful AL East. How did their once-ridiculed farm system create a lineup with this much significant length from unexpected sources? What do the Jays need to do at the trade deadline to maintain a 95-win pace? Was George Springer the biggest All-Star snub and what about Max Scherzer as a legacy selection? The MLB Draft is at hand and the Jays have had just 5 major-leaguers out of the last five drafts. And is it a PR disaster for ownership to jack the price of streaming Jays games by 30% in Sept? Then there’s the Ironbacks.

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INDEX:

Time stamp 7-11

0:00 Intro

1:04 The MLB Draft

4:58 The Jays Great ‘24 draft

8:40 Draft stories from the Past

12:38 Drafting Brett, Schmidt, and Dan Warthen back-to-back

15:13 Jays all-stars. Did MLB miss the boat on Springer and Scherzer?

24:18 How did Jays get to this point?

27:13 Can Jays sustain and maintain in AL East using trade deadline?

35:18 Anthopoulos and the ‘14 Jays clubhouse revolt at the deadline

38:47 Jays length vs Yankees depth. How the farm system contributed

44:55 Roger’s+ package price increase in Sept. Why?

49:19 Shoutout to Jays social media

51:06 Ironbacks report

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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/