The Toronto Blue Jays have successfully navigated the arbitration process, securing deals with key players Ernie Clement and Daulton Varsho. According to reports, the team and Clement have agreed on a $4.6 million contract for the 2026 season, while Varsho's contract was set at $10.75 million. These agreements come as a relief for the Blue Jays, ensuring stability and continuity for the upcoming season.
Ernie Clement, a 29-year-old utility player, had a remarkable 2025 season. He played in 157 games, accumulating a 4.3 WAR. Clement's offensive statistics were impressive, with a .277 batting average, 151 hits, nine home runs, and 50 RBIs. His performance was even more outstanding in the postseason, where he hit .416 with a major-league record 30 hits, one home run, and 9 RBIs in 18 games. Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft, Clement made his big-league debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2021. He later signed with the Oakland Athletics before joining the Blue Jays in 2023.
Daulton Varsho, a 29-year-old outfielder, also had a productive season in 2025, despite being limited to 71 games due to injury. Varsho's batting average was .238, with 58 hits, 20 home runs, and 55 RBIs. He was named a Gold Glover in 2024 and performed well in the postseason, hitting .227 with 17 hits, three home runs, and 10 RBIs in 18 games. Varsho's career began with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade that sent Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno to the Diamondbacks. With these deals, the Blue Jays have demonstrated their commitment to building a strong and stable team for the future.
