Ernie Clement is a fan favourite in Toronto.
The Blue Jays‘ energetic second baseman has been recognized to stroll to the ballpark for house video games and interact with followers on his approach to the Rogers Centre.
Clearly, he’s the kind of participant that almost all of the Blue Jays’ fanbase wouldn’t need to see go elsewhere — significantly after his legendary 2025 postseason, when he set an MLB report for hits in a single playoff run.
However after a 2026 season of disappointment in Toronto, the Blue Jays might be contemplating plenty of potentialities. One in all them will contain making a change at second base, the place Clement wasn’t nearly as good in 2026 as he had been in 2025.
Why Would Blue Jays Transfer On From Ernie Clement?
Sportsnet’s Nick Ashbourne wrote a brand new article on Friday wherein he examines the components that might go into the Blue Jays probably transferring on from Clement.
The dialogue was began when GM Ross Atkins wouldn’t decide to Clement as subsequent season’s beginning second baseman in Toronot.
“An absence of dedication to beginning Clement at second in 2027 shouldn’t essentially be stunning given his manufacturing this season, however the infielder appeared within the All-Star Recreation after a robust begin to 2026, was a Gold Glove finalist in each 2024 and 2025 and set the MLB post-season report for hits final 12 months,” Ashbourne writes. “He’s an completed participant to probably demote from an on a regular basis position.”
Ashbourne cites just a few items of Clement’s 2026 season that allow him down:
- “Solely 5 certified hitters had a decrease exit velocity than Clement’s 84.4 mph, and simply three had a decrease hard-hit charge. His xwOBA of .258 was the second-worst amongst certified hitters.”
- “On defence, Clement’s work (primarily at second base) earned a minus-5 OAA rating from Statcast, placing him within the twelfth percentile league-wide.”
Ashbourne then notes that Clement might be 31, might be higher suited at third base (the place Kazuma Okamoto already resides), and that the Blue Jays have the remainder of their infield signed to long-term contracts already.
“If Toronto hopes to considerably enhance its position-player core, the outfield might use a revamp, however the second-base place can be a logical spot to discover upgrades,” Ashbourne writes.
Alternative Choices
OK, so if the Blue Jays are going to exchange Clement, who’s going to do it?
Ashbourne begins by pitching each Josh Smith and Charles McAdoo as inner choices.
It might most likely make sense for Toronto to as a substitute go the free agent route, although.
Ashbourne names the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Pirates’ Brandon Lowe and the Phillies’ Luis Arraez.
He additionally wonders about trades for the Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, the Angels’ Zach Neto and the Nationals‘ C.J. Abrams.
Relying on acquisition value of any of these gamers, they might definitely match the position the Blue Jays would need them to fill.
Clement wouldn’t be gone fully, both. He’s bought two extra years of membership management remaining. If one among these guys was acquired, Clement would return to his super-utility position.
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