Examining some unheralded Blue Jays who could be extension candidates

Not only have the extension talks regarding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette become tiresome, but they've also started to define the Blue Jays' season.

And while it's still important the team prioritizes trying to ink them to extension, it might be worthwhile for the team's front office to consider offering some extensions to some of the more unheralded players on the roster.

With that in mind, here are three unheralded players on the roster who could be in line for an extension.

Examining some unheralded Blue Jays who the team should consider extending

Ernie Clement

Clement, a Gold Glove finalist at third base last season, offers versatility and can play most infield positions. He was worth 3.4 bWAR last season depite having a .692 OPS and an OPS+ under 100, which is a testament to the value he provides in the field and on the basepaths.

Clement and the Blue Jays agreed on a one-year, $1.975 million in the offseason to avoid arbitration — the first of the four offseasons where he's eligible for arbitration.

If With that in mind, it would make some sense for Clement and the Blue Jays to agree on a three-or-four year contract for his arbitration years. He's going to make a minimum of $2 million in abritation last year, so three-year contract anywhere between $7-8 million seems fair for a player with Clements profile.

Bowden Francis

Francis earned a spot in the Blue Jays' starting rotation in 2024 with a solid performance in the second half of the season where he carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning twice.

A valuable weapon that Francis has developed in his arsenal is his splitter, which is particularly dangerous against left-handed hitters. Along with having a Stuff+ rating of 109 with the pitch, he also limited hitters to a .169 average on the pitch.

He allowed two earned runs in six innings in his season opener, and has begun to look like a real piece for the future. With that, the Blue Jays should consider locking up the 28-year-old on long-term deal.

Francis is earning $781,500 this season and won't be arbitration-eligible until 2027, but, like Clement, the Blue Jays could get ahead of that with a team-friendly deal that gives Francis some security.

Daulton Varsho

While Varsho has had his ups-and-downs on offense, his defense has always been top-notch. Varsho won a Gold Glove last season for his solid defense in center field, and seems primed for a bounce-back season whenever he's able to return from the injured list.

He is currently recovering from rotator cuff surgery and is expected to return in Mid-April. Varsho slugged four home runs in spring training despite only being able to hit as a designated hitter.

Varsho and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration with a one-year, $8.2 million contract for 2025, which is an increase from the $5.65 million he made in 2024. He has one more year of arbitration left before he can hit free agency.

It seems like an extension could be in the works.

After general manager Ross Atkins expressed interest in signing Varsho to a contract in the spring, the Toronto Star's Gregor Chisholm reported that the Blue Jays and Varsho had negotiations last last year. If Varsho has a strong season offensively this year, he presents himself as an enticing extension candidate.