If the Blue Jays are looking to not have Clement in an everyday role next year, what are the options they could utilize?
Speaking to the media on Wednesday at Rogers Centre, Toronto Blue Jays brass made it clear that Ernie Clement needs to earn an every day job in 2027, it will not just be given to him like it was in 2026.
And that seems fair after Clement hit .259 with nine home runs and 48 RBIs, posting an OPS+ of 78 and one of the highest chase rates (44.4 percent) in the entire league.
And while the idea of relegating Clement to a bench/utility role is one that sounds understandable, it's always a little easier said than done.
So, if the Jays want to upgrade, how exactly could they?
Sign a new second baseman
This is obviously the simplest and cleanest answer, a 1:1 change.
This is not regarded as a great free agent class, but there are options at second. Gleyber Torres will be on the market, as will Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm and Brandon Lowe. All of them could help Toronto's league-worst run-scoring offense.
What about a new shortstop?
If the Blue Jays want to sign a new shortstop, they could always move Andres Gimenez back to the keystone if they wanted. Those options are far more limited, but they do include former Jays infielder Bo Bichette - if he opts out of his contract with the New York Mets.
If Bichette is willing to play second base, he could be in that mix as well.
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (22) nibbles on his thumb as he watches play against the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Dan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesInteresting lineup discourse
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kazuma Okamoto and Alejandro Kirk are generally set in their positions. Because of the money he's making, it seems like Anthony Santander's designated hitter spot is solidified as well. That means that four of the nine lineup spots are already accounted for, and with Brett Bateman's emergence in the outfield, it feels more like five. And Gimenez is making $23 million, so it's really six.
As a result, there are very spots for the Jays to actually upgrade. Clement, as likable as he is, is one of the players that can be upgraded. It's just a question of how the team goes about doing it.
And one last question
The question is, of course, money. The Blue Jays have it, and they have been willing to spend it generously over the last half-decade or so. But do they think this is the best use of financial resources? Or, do they want an outfielder more? Or, do they want to fill out the starting rotation more?
And how do those interests coincide with the collective bargaining agreement issues and the fact that no one quite knows what the financial situation will look like in 2027?
