The Blue Jays made a significant addition from the Japanese pool signing free-agent 3B Kazuma Okamoto -- four years, $60M. On this Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal explain how much the Jays' dramatic World Series run impacted the club's international profile and what this latest addition may mean to the team's pursuit of Bo Bichette and/or Kyle Tucker. Which AL teams have had the best off-season, a month to spring training. Detailing the dramatic change in the Jays starting rotation and the bullpen from opening Day 2025 to now. Should Ross Atkins wait until March to attempt a trade for Jose Berrios or is that too much a distraction? All this and more, including handicapping NFL wildcard weekend.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:38 Kazuma Okamoto discussion

5:16 Okamoto presser with Scott Boras

10:49 Are Tucker and Bo still on the table

16:44 Rogers figures out spend money make money

19:16 Who's going to bat middle of the order

27:49 Jays and Luxury Tax with Jose Berrios

33:32 Jays will miss influence of departed pitchers

36:28 Comparing 2025 pitching to '26

46:20 AL Teams with best off-season

55:21 NFL Playoff Preview

1:02:56 Wrapup

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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 edition of Conversations with Griff, I chat with iconic Blue Jays television personality, Hazel Mae, recently recognized by the Canadian Hall of Fame with the Jack Graney Award, given to a media member for a lifetime of contribution to baseball. We discuss her stellar career, from the first time she was handed a tape recorder and sent to a Jays game, to her current status as a huge part of the most-watched telecasts in MLB, her role models in sports broadcasting, and her positive influence on young women in Canada.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:25 – Winning the Jack Graney Award and Canadian Baseball HOF

3:25 – Her love of the Kansas City Chiefs

6:45 – The wonderful progression of women in sports media

10:00 – Admiration of Susan Waldman

14:25 – Double standard in Media + Personal anecdote

18:15 – Dealing with self doubt and struggles early on in career

24:30 – Moving and working for NESN in Boston

28:00 – Early days of MLB Network and Hazel's time there

33:38 – Working with Buck and Dan + Sportsnet

37:01 – Relationship building with players + Rowdy Tellez

39:15 – Carlos Delgado + Troy Tulowitzki

43:35 – Spirited conversations with husband and analyst, Kevin Barker

47:50 – Meeting her in-laws for the first time

49:50 – Hazels parents' reactions on her career and becoming an icon

53:10 – The humanity of Hazel's interview style

56:20 – Hazel's important influence on the next generation

59:30 - 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 head to the New Year having accomplished necessary improvements to the pitching staff, but still needing one big bat to solidify the lineup. The answer could be Bo, or Kyle Tucker, maybe someone else via trade or free agency, but on Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss the implications if this is the final position-player roster. What is the new market for Bichette, now that he has expressed a willingness to consider second base? The Jays ranked sixth in all of MLB in Luxury Tax, but nobody can match the Dodgers. How did the Jays arrive at ranking among the big boys in payroll? Finding a landing spot that would benefit Jose Berrios, ranking the AL East with eight weeks left before spring training and much 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/