PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 12: Manager John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 12, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays have spent much of the 2026 season searching for offensive consistency as they attempt to defend their American League pennant. While injuries and roster turnover have played a role in its struggles, the club has also been forced to evaluate several key lineup decisions as production has fluctuated throughout the year.
One of the organization’s biggest offseason moves came when the Blue Jays opted not to match the New York Mets’ contract offer for longtime shortstop Bo Bichette. Instead, the Blue Jays moved perennial Gold Glover Andres Gimenez to Bichette’s former position, a change that was designed to strengthen Toronto’s defense up the middle.
Toronto Blue Jays Make Change With Bo Bichette Replacement Struggling
But as the season has progressed, the Blue Jays have made a decision on tweaking the replacement strategy.
“The Jays have started to use the struggling Andres Gimenez in a platoon instead of as an everyday player,” Gregor Chisholm reported for the Toronto Star. “Each of the last two times they faced a lefty starter, Gimenez was on the bench with Ernie Clement at shortstop, and it’s a trend that should continue until the Jays start scoring more runs.”
Chisholm added that Giménez’s struggles against left-handed pitching have played a major role in the change.
Toronto Blue Jays Turn To Ernie Clement As Part-Time Bo Bichette Replacement
The development is notable as a sign of how desperate the Blue Jays are becoming for better offense, but also because the team originally hoped that Gimenez and Clement would serve as everyday infielders at the same time. During spring training, Gimenez made it clear that he was embracing the chance to replace Bichette at shortstop with Clement replacing him at second base.
“I like that responsibility,” Gimenez said, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. “Obviously for me personally, it’s kind of like a challenge… So at this stage of my career, getting moved again to shortstop, I’m accepting the challenge and embracing it.”
At the time, the organization viewed the alignment as one that could effectively replace Bichette’s production on defense and offense. However, manager John Schneider appears willing to adjust in search of additional runs.
Gimenez is slashing just .218/.262/.350 and has struggled particularly against southpaws. But the decision does not necessarily mean Gimenez has lost his starting job permanently.]
It does, however, represent one of the clearest indications yet that the Blue Jays are willing to alter their original plan as they attempt to keep pace in a competitive American League playoff race.
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