Clement's newest contract comes with a big raise after a big season with Blue Jays

It didn't take an arbitrator to reveal what was already obvious; Ernie Clement deserves a raise. The Blue Jays utility infielder, who was nominated for not one, but two separate Gold Glove awards after the 2025 season, indeed got his raise. The final number for Clement's contract was right around what industry experts projected it would be.

MLB Trade Rumors had Clement's 2026 salary set at $4.3 million and the final number is $4.6, allowing the Blue Jays to avoid arbitration with one of their breakout star players in 2025. Clement made $1.9 million a year ago.

Clement's newest contract comes with a big raise after a big season with Blue Jays

That number almost feels like a bargain price after what Clement did in the postseason. He slashed .411/.416/.562 with one home run, nine RBIs, 13 runs scored and set the record for the most hits (30) in MLB history in a single playoff run. As of right now, Clement would be the Blue Jays starting second baseman, and if he can replicate his playoff and regular season success in 2026, this could be one of the better contracts handed out all winter.

During the 2025 regular season, Clement was worth 4.3 bWAR, hitting .277/.313/.398. The 29-year-old also had nine home runs and 50 RBIs. Not bad for a guy that had not played more than 140 games in a single season previously. Prior to coming to Toronto, Clement was drafted by Cleveland in 2017 and made his MLB debut in 2021. He got into 63 games with the Guardians in 2022 before being selected off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.

He was released by Oakland on March 12, 2023 and two days later, he signed a free agent deal with the Blue Jays. Clement got into 29 games with Toronto in 2023, hitting .380/.385/.500 in 52 plate appearances. He put up a 3.4 bWAR in 2024 when he had an OPS of .692 with 12 home runs and played all over the field.

That versatility helped the Blue Jays in the early part of the 2025 season when they were slotting Clement in at third base, second base and sometimes at shortstop. He also spelled Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a few times at first. He provided elite defense at each position and when the season was over, Clement was nominated for the Gold Glove award at third base and as the Gold Glove utility player award.

Clement had the highest defensive runs saved in the majors at +22, he was tied for second in the American League in Fielding Run Value among infielders, (+10) and tied for third within that group in Outs Above Average (+13). But he was snubbed for both awards - something that may give him a chip on his shoulders heading into the new year.

While the Blue Jays are still said to be interested in bringing back Bo Bichette, who would be an upgrade on Celement offensively, the Blue Jays would probably also be going into the season with Clement being the main guy slotted in at the keystone.