WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 27: Ernie Clement #22 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks to the on deck circle in the sixth inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays entered their offseason with many more questions than answers after a disappointing 2026 campaign exposed significant problems throughout the roster. In their end-of-season media sessions, the team’s top executives acknowledged that the club needs more than minor adjustments, particularly for an offense that finished last in the majors in both home runs and total runs scored.
“This offseason will bring all of the usual tinkering, likely by adding a starter or two, or perhaps some depth in the bullpen,” Keegan Matheson wrote for MLB.com. “But it feels like something more substantial is needed to fix the Blue Jays’ offense, something that changes the DNA of this group and points them in a different direction.”
That potential overhaul could ultimately affect players who appeared to establish themselves as important pieces during Toronto’s run to the American League pennant last year, including All-Star infielder Ernie Clement.
Toronto Blue Jays Boss Sends Surprising Warning After Ernie Clement’s All-Star Season
Even though Clement was a key piece of the Blue Jays’ surge last year and was the team’s leading All-Star vote getter with a very strong first half in this campaign, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins made it clear that the team is not committed to him as the everyday second baseman for 2027.
“He’s got to earn every bit of it,” Atkins warned following the season, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. “It’s not just a write down, OK, we’re covered… Ernie can be an everyday, impactful player. He can also be a player that (takes) 500 (at-bats) and plays at a really high level and because we’re such a good team, he isn’t the guy that’s being pencilled in every day.”
Clement’s situation is particularly notable because of the concerns that grew around his production as this disappointing season went on.
“Clement had his best season last year and was a postseason hero during Toronto’s run to an AL pennant,” Anthony Franco noted for MLB Trade Rumors. “He wasn’t nearly as impactful this season, hitting .259/.285/.364 across 621 plate appearances. Clement had an All-Star first half but was a liability down the stretch, batting .203/.235/.259 in the second half.”
That second-half decline appears to have changed the club’s calculations. Clement’s defensive versatility remains valuable, but Toronto can no longer assume that his 2025 offensive breakthrough will automatically carry forward.
Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Ernie Clement Faces Sudden Competition
Atkins explicitly acknowledged that Clement can still become an everyday contributor, while also suggesting the Blue Jays want flexibility rather than handing him a guaranteed role.
That distinction could make the 2027 offseason especially important for Clement. If Toronto adds established talent at second base, third base or designated hitter, Clement could find himself competing for playing time rather than receiving it by default.
The challenge is clear: Clement must show that his All-Star-level first half was not an isolated stretch and that he can provide enough offense to complement his defensive versatility. And in the meantime, it seems as if the team is open to upgrading its roster with an acquisition that could take his spot.
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