On Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal react to breaking news as Trey Yesavage hits the IL with a shoulder impingement—leaving nearly 60% of the Blue Jays rotation sidelined to start the season. Did that force the sudden move to bring in Max Scherzer?

They also break down a thrilling World Baseball Classic, with Venezuela crowned champions, and what it means for the global growth of the game. Plus, Team USA falls short again—how much blame goes to manager Mark DeRosa?

And after a huge postseason and WBC, is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally ready to break out?

All that and more.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

1:20 WBC Wrap + ABS Controversy

5:49 WBC Umpires Breakdown

8:17 Venezuela Beats USA – Emotional Final

11:03 Salvador Perez Named WBC MVP

12:27 Mason Miller & Pitcher Usage Debate

14:07 Mark DeRosa's Inexperience Costs USA

14:13 Skubal, Raleigh, Pasquantino & Key Moments

21:27 Team USA Jersey Controversy (Judge/Matthews)

22:52 Best Team USA Lineup Ever?

23:44 Rob Manfred's Odd Postseason Behavior

25:09 No-Name Bullpens Power Canada & Venezuela

27:27 WBC Growth & Global Impact

31:39 Spring Training Stories

36:25 Baseball Chasing NFL's 12-Month Cycle

38:27 Top WBC Surprises

41:25 Blue Jays at the WBC

46:28 José Berríos & Jays Spring Questions

48:13 Breaking News: Trey Yesavage Injury

50:56 Jays Down to 5 Healthy Starters

56:29 Spring Breakout: Top Prospects

1:02:09 Remaining Jays Roster Questions

1:04:35 March Madness & Wrap-Up

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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/

Griff and Mal discuss Team Canada advancing further than ever in the World Baseball Classic despite a 5–3 loss to United States national baseball team. They break down the pros and cons of the game and why the Americans remain hard to like — from Cal Raleigh refusing to shake hands to manager Mark DeRosa nearly creating a tiebreaker-rule disaster.

Looking ahead, is there hope for Canada and should Ernie Whitt return as manager? Griff and Mal also highlight Canada's best players, the infectious joy of Caribbean teams, and whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s dominant WBC and World Series performance pushes him into MLB's elite hitters.

Finally, the focus shifts back to the Toronto Blue Jays with Opening Day less than two weeks away and injury concerns for José Berríos and Shane Bieber. This and more.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:44 Canada vs USA Quarterfinal

4:30 Why Team USA Is Hard to Like

6:38 Celebrating with Team Dominican

8:55 Mark DeRosa's Costly Mistake

14:56 Team Canada's Top 5 WBC Performers

21:42 Ernie Whitt's Future as Manager

27:08 Should WBC Eligibility Rules Change?

30:39 Caribbean Joy & Showmanship

34:20 New Appreciation for Vlad Jr.

38:20 Mal Picks All 8 WBC Pool Winners

41:20 Berrios Shut Down — What It Means

48:27 The Yesavage Dilemma

53:32 Leo Jimenez's Utility Role in Danger?

56:58 Is Eloy Jimenez in the Jays OF Mix?

59:56 One Bullpen Spot Left

1:01:27 Wrap Up

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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/

Griff and Mal preview the World Baseball Classic, breaking down all four pools and Canada's chances to reach the quarterfinals for the first time. Is this the most talented Team Canada roster ever, and can the bullpen hold up? They also tackle key Toronto Blue Jays spring training questions: fitting eight starters into a five-man rotation, the final bullpen spot, the utility infielder battle, and a crowded outfield featuring Jesús Sánchez and Eloy Jiménez. Plus, young prospects get a chance to shine with the infield away at the WBC.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:43 Max Scherzer and the Influence of Family

7:50 The Michael Jordan Experience

10:01 Canada national baseball team Ranked No. 20

12:35 Early Memories of the World Baseball Classic

13:18 Could There Ever Be a Team Jamaica in the WBC?

14:50 World Baseball Classic Overview: Breaking Down the Pools

24:00 Spotlight: Best Team Canada Roster Ever?

32:26 Should the World Baseball Classic Be Played During the All-Star Break?

34:23 Toronto Blue Jays and the Overcrowded Rotation

42:28 Record Number of Blue Jays on WBC Rosters

45:03 Jurickson Profar & José Rojas Performance-Enhancing Drug Suspensions

47:02 Blue Jays Outfield Logjam

52:24 Who Wins the Blue Jays Utility Infield Job?

56:35 Battle for the Final Blue Jays Bullpen Spot

1:01:14 Will We See Yimi García Again?

1:03:06 Wrap-Up

----

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/