The Mets and Yankees leave Winter Meetings empty-handed while the Dodgers land Edwin Díaz and the Orioles snag Pete Alonso. The Blue Jays stay quiet after earlier moves, introducing free-agent Dylan Cease and taking a Rule 5 flyer. Is Scott Boras controlling MLB's free-agent market? Do the Jays need rotation changes, bullpen help, or clarity on Bo's future? All this and more on Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:17 – Winter Meetings Wrap Up

3:45 – What is Going on with New York?

6:10 – Scott Boras … Master Puppeteer

9:00 – Cease Press Conference

12:00 – John Schneider Media Availability

14:10 – Pete Alonso is an Oriole

17:00 – Kyle Tucker or Bo?

24:40 – Schneider Defends IKF Game 7 Baserunning

27:30 – Jays Add in Rule 5 Draft + Dombrowski Expos Story

33:00 – Changes to Major League Coaching Staff

35:25 – Jeff Kent Elected to Hall of Fame + Bonds, Delgado, Clemens

44:00 - Blue Jays 2026 Rotation Will Look Different

48:10 – Impressions of Cody Ponce

50:30 – Changes from 92 to 93 World Series Teams

53:40 – Love for Jose Berrios + What is his Future?

55:44 – Berrios for Nolan Arenado? Griff Explains

57:44 – Edwin Diaz to LAD and Who is the Jays Closer in 2026?

1:00:00 – Bills Preview + 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/

In this week's Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss the revamped Blue Jays rotation and how different the starting five is from the one that opened the 2024 season. The upside of Dylan Cease coming off a down season in San Diego and the potential downside of Cody Ponce coming off a career year in Korea. With the narrowing of position player needs, the discussion centres on Bo or Kyle Tucker and how the versatility of Clement and Barger allows the Jays to pivot in any direction. Do they truly need a bona fide closer? How much do they have left in payroll to finish close to last year's $254-million. All this and much more.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:25 – Winter Meetings Preview

6:00 – ERAs committee HOF Vote

10:40 – Dylan Cease Contract

21:00 – Cody Ponce Signs with the Blue Jays + Jose Berrios

35:00 – Thoughts on the 2026 Rotation

41:00 – What are the remaining additions?

48:30 – Breaking down 2026 Payroll and Options

55:00 – Internal Options + Ricky Tiedemann

59:35 – Rule 5 Players

1:01:00 – Expansion back alive in Montreal?

1:02:40 – Outro + Conversation with Hazel Mae

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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/

BONUS EPISODE Shortly after the latest episode of Exit Philosophy, the Blue Jays made a BIG move and signed Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million contract. Griff provides instant reaction to the major move.

Please check out previous episodes of @ExitPhilosophy on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

#torontobluejays #mlb

Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

The MLB Hot Stove is heating up early with several significant trades and with important free agent tires being kicked in earnest. Griff and Mal discuss where the Blue Jays stand with regard to '26 team payroll and what it allows them to do in their attempt to repeat a trip to the World Series. What should be the key free agents they should pursue. Does that include a new closer too slot in ahead of Jeff Hoffman. What about their own free agent, Bo Bichette? Are they in danger of making the same mistake the Leafs did with Mitch Marner, letting him go and feeling they can replace him, no problem. Could a Jays rumoured Diamondbacks trade for 2B Ketel Marte be the solution? Have the GM Meetings in early November replaced the traditional Winter Meetings in importance? All this and more.

Index:

0:00 – Intro

0: 29 -The Hot Stove is Cooking

5:47 – Rule 5 Draft + Blue Jays Outlook

12:35 – Blue Jays 2025 Payroll Issues

17:13 – Relief Pitcher Market + Closer Needs

23:24 – Max Scherzer Wants Back in T.O.

25:29 – Blue Jays vs Maple Leaf Comps

28:10 – Run Prevention Trumps All

30:17 - Blue Jays Extended Window with Contracts

35:00 – Jays Marketing in Japan + Manfred Comments

36:46 – Blue Jays Rumour Mill + Free Agent Fits

49:30 – Final Managerial Spot Filled

51:10 – NFL Thanksgiving Preview

56:25 – Ellis Valentine Conversation Preview + 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/

On Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal welcome former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons for his view on the just-completed World Series, his new gig as bench coach with the Angels, and more. The former skipper, who took his Jays to consecutive ALCS in 2015-16, explains the similarities of his first playoff team that lost to the Royals and the difficulties of repeating the next year. He explains the phenomenon of playing for an entire country and hosting Jays fans compared to others around baseball. He describes his favourite memories from Winter Tours, including driving tanks in Edmonton with his head sticking out the turret and the icicles that formed. Gibby shares his thoughts on clubhouse chemistry, winning, and how talent is the overriding factor. He talks about his first stint as Jays manager in New York when he was appointed while eating a post-game sandwich, his famous dustup with Ted Lilly, and his clubhouse clash with Shea Hillenbrand. He talks about his relationship with the late Davey Johnson. It's all vintage Gibby.

Index:

0:00 – Intro

0:35 – John Gibbons Joins the Show!

1:30 – How Has Gibby Been?

5:40 – Going from Manager to Bench Coach

7:25 – Relationship with Perry Minasian

11:25 – Transitioning from Player to Coaching

16:45 – Managerial Surprises

21:14 – Winning with Good Chemistry

24:00 – Ted Lily

26:00- Changes from 2015 to 2016 with the Blue Jays

29:05 – Young players on 2015 Club

31:10 – The Blue Jays Terrific Fan Base

36:40 – Blue Jays Fans in Seattle

39:00 – Clubhouse Meetings

44:22 – Boston Red Sox Attitude

45:32 – Shea Hillenbrand

47:09 – Thoughts on Starters Innings + Scherzer's Intensity

56:01 – Hitters Strike Zone Awareness and Umpires

58:50 – Thoughts on ABS Challenges

1:00:52 – Mapping out Relief Pitchers + Game Strategy

1:03:50 – Gibby's Hall of Fame Ballot Thoughts

1:10:25 – Remembering Davey Johnson

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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/

It began with an upbeat media session starring Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins, describing the joyous October journey to World Series Game 7 and Shane Bieber's surprising decision to opt in for 2026. But the Jays task of defending the AL championship title does not get any easier, as Bo Bichette heads into his free agency, as Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt potentially leave the rotation and as Don Mattingly decides to step away from the dugout. What are the various scenarios for Bo moving forward? Will he stay or will he go? The epic Vlad October and its perception of his mega-extension are discussed as well as a potential spinoff, the possibility that the run to the Fall Classic has made it easier to recruit free agents in Asia, as well as North America. Is there a new MLB emphasis when it comes to hiring major-league managers and what are going to be the major stumbling blocks when it comes to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement? All this and more on this week's Exit Philosophy podcast.

INDEX:

0:00 - Intro
2:16 - Media avail for Shapiro and Atkins
8:41 - Contract extensions for Shapiro, Schneider and Atkins
12:09 - Departure of Don Mattingly
16:22 - Hall-of-Fame Veterans Committee
22:27 - Shane Bieber's surprise decision to opt in and what it means.
27:51 - Breaking down Blue Jays clubhouse chemistry and what it means to a winning team.
31:56 - Blue Jays' offseason search for more pitching
35:08 - The saga of Bo Bichette
48:22 - The real impact of Vlad Guerrero Jr. and his mega-contract
51:43 - World Series gives Jays new profile in Pacific Rim countries
54:23 - Rookie of the Year results and baseball getting younger
1:00:40 - New managerial hires don't be fit a formula. many outside the box
1:03:56 - MLB's gambling crisis
1:06:56 - NFL take by Mal on his Buffalo Bills

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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/

Was this the greatest World Series story ever told? How about the most memorable Game 7? The Blue Jays, in the end, had chances to hold on to or extend the lead, then, when the Dodgers tied it, chances to win in regulation and then tie it when falling behind in the 11th. The Dodgers' comeback in Games 6-7 came mainly due to the Japanese influence of Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and superstar DH-RHP Shohei Ohtani, with rookie Roki Sasaki looming as yet another Rising Sun weapon. Griff and Mal discuss the short list of the Jays' top heroes and who wears the horns of the goat. What has this post-season run done for Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s image and his future. What happens to Bo Bichette in free agency, and is Trey Yesavage a mortal lock for stardom in 2026. All this and more in this week's Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:35 – Impressions and Reactions to Game 7

10:45 – Max Scherzer is a Maniac In The Best Way

17:35 – Dodgers and Japan ..Can the Jays be Players in Pacific Rim?

25:47 – Miguel Rojas Home Run

28:52 – Jeff Hoffman

33:45 – Ernie Clement's Outstanding Postseason

37:56 – Gold Glove Snubs

39:35 – IKF's Baserunning Might Have Cost them The World Series

45:50 – Top World Series Performers

50:20 – Ohtani's Extra Warm Up Time

52:10 – Trey Yesavage - What Does 2026 Look Like?

57:29 – Greatest Game 7 Ever?

1:01:10 – When Richard Met Debbie

1:02:18 – Where Do The Jays Go with Bo Bichette?

1:07:24 – Impact on Canada of World Series Run

1:10:55 - Outro

Please subscribe, like and leave a review whereever you listen!

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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/