Toronto Blue Jays, utility infielder Ernie Clement avoid arbitration
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays and utility infielder Ernie Clement have avoided arbitration.
Toronto already avoided arbitration with centerfielder Daulton Varsho and backup catcher Taylor Heineman on Thursday.
Now they've reach an agreement with fan favorite Ernie Clement.
According to Mitch Bannon of the Athletic, the Blue Jays and Ernie Clement have avoided arbitration.
Ernie Clement and the Blue Jays have agreed on a $4.6 million deal to avoid arb, per source
2025 proved that Ernie Clement is an everyday player in MLB
The 29-year-old Rochester native appeared in 157 games for the team, shuffling to multiple spots in the infield and being one of manager John Schneider's most reliable players.
Meanwhile, Clement set an MLB record with 30 hits in the playoffs, and slashed .411/.416/.562 in the post-season.
HISTORY: Ernie Clement now has the most hits in a single #Postseason in baseball history 🤯
Clement, who will make $4.6 million US in 2026, a nice bump from the $1.98 million he collected in his breakthrough 2025 season.
Clements role up in the air as Blue Jays continue to round out roster
Clement's role with the Blue Jays was up in the air this week after the team agreed to a four-year deal with Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto.
Okamoto is expected to begin the season at third base, meaning Clement could move to second base or shortstop as the Blue Jays continue to round out their roster
The arbitration process is most noteworthy when a team and player fail to reach agreement and it hits the hearing stage.
The Blue Jays clearly value the impact of Clement, especially given his role in last year's American League championship season.
Special player. No one encapsulates the 2025 Blue Jays better than Ernie Clement.
The only other Jays player possibly headed to arbitration is pitcher Eric Lauer, who remains their only unsigned player.
Thursday marks the deadline for teams to come to settlement agreements with arbitration-eligible players.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Toronto Blue Jays, centerfielder Daulton Varsho avoid arbitration
Toronto Blue Jays, centerfielder Daulton Varsho avoid arbitration
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 8 | 132 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays, utility infielder Ernie Clement avoid arbitration Do you think the Blue Jays will sign Ernie Clement to an extension in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 113 | 85.6 % |
| No | 11 | 8.3 % |
| Too early to tell | 8 | 6.1 % |
| List of polls | ||