The Toronto Blue Jays have been the winners of the MLB offseason so far.

The Blue Jays bolstered their starting rotation by giving out nearly $250 million combined dollars to Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million) and Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million).

Toronto also added to its bullpen by signing reliever Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million contract and brought in third baseman Kazuma Okamoto on a four-year, $60 million contract.

The Blue Jays also remain tied to several marquee free agents on the rumor mill. The rumors, in addition to Okamoto's deal, have led to speculation on what the club's infield could look like in 2026.

In a recent appearance on the Foul Territory podcast, the Athletic's MLB insider, Ken Rosenthal shared his belief that Ernie Clement is likely safe as an every day player in '26 — barring a move Rosenthal says is "increasingly unlikely."

" ... In my opinion (signing Bo Bichette) is increasingly unlikely. If they sign Bichette or (Alex Bregman) — and I don't know if they're gonna do Bregman. Bregman doesn't seem to fit right now for the Blue Jays. But if they re-sign Bichette, then you have Okamoto at third, Bichette at second, then where does Ernie Clement play? But I don't see that necessarily happening. I kind of see Okamoto being the third baseman primarily as long as they believe he can play that position and he's thought to be at least average there. And then Clement plays second and the big move, it would seem to me, is (Kyle Tucker) for them. If they can somehow get to a financial point with him that they're comfortable with. There is a scenario in which Ernie Clement would be at least squeezed for playing time but it's only, in my opinion, if Bichette comes back."

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Clement is coming off a record-setting postseason for Toronto, which won its first American League pennant in over 30 years and lost the World Series in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Clement slashed .411/.416/.562 with a .978 OPS in 18 games in his first-ever postseason. He hit six doubles, a triple and had a home run with nine RBIs. His 30 hits set a new MLB record for the most in a single postseason, breaking the previous record set by Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena in 2020. Arozarena was with the Tampa Bay Rays at that time.

Rosenthal's note about not signing Bichette is also interesting.

Bichette has been with the Blue Jays his entire career (2019-25) and was second in the majors in batting average (.311) behind American League MVP Aaron Judge. He's expected to command a salary of more than $150 million, and while the Blue Jays have a seemingly bottomless pit of funds, they may not have the room for him.

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