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MLB Trade Rumors sees Ernie Clement and Nathan Lukes as potential Blue Jays' trade candidates

These two Blue Jays fan favourites could be squeezed out by a winter roster shake-up.
ByEdward Eng
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May 21, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Nathan Lukes (38) is greeted at home plate by second baseman Ernie Clement (22) after hitting a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
May 21, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Nathan Lukes (38) is greeted at home plate by second baseman Ernie Clement (22) after hitting a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

MLB Trade Rumors recently released their Top 40 trade candidates heading into the 2026-27 offseason. A couple of Toronto Blue Jays were pegged as potential tradeable assets this winter under their “Others to Watch” section. Those players happened to be fan favourites Ernie Clement and Nathan Lukes.

At first glance, it might be surprising to see those names surfacing in potential trade talks. Both Clement and Lukes have been positive contributors for the majority of the past two seasons.

Clement has hit close to .260 with a strikeout rate of 10% since 2024. Lukes has compiled double digits in home runs along with an OPS of .730 and .715 in 2025 and 2026 respectively. Both players have been strong performers in the past. Clement was nominated for multiple Gold Glove awards in 2025, while Lukes has been nominated for the Gold Glove award in right field two years running now.

The numbers game could push Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement out of a role with the Blue Jays in 2027

However, Clement seemingly hit a wall in the second half of 2026. Following a strong first half where he earned his first ever All-Star nod, the 30-year-old infielder hit a feeble .182 with an OPS of .442. He scored only 14 runs, hit one home run and drove in13 RBIs over 51 games after the break.

His defense also took a slight step back in 2026. Following two consecutive seasons of being a Gold Glove finalist, Clement registered a -2 Defensive Runs Saved at second base, a .966 fielding percentage at third base, and a -5 Outs Above Average. With solid power infield bats such as Brandon Lowe available in the free agent market this offseason, the Blue Jays could look to upgrade second base before 2027.

In the case for Lukes, he hasn’t really done anything wrong in terms of his play and performance. But with Anthony Santander and Addison Barger due to return from the injured list, along with the emergence of spark plug Brett Bateman, it has created a bit of a logjam in the Blue Jays outfield.

With Santander able to hit from both sides of the plate and Barger being a left-handed bat, like Lukes, someone is going to become redundant. The Blue Jays are also said to be looking to add an outfield power bat such as Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena. As a result, Lukes could be squeezed out of an everyday role.

The Blue Jays need to make some significant changes this winter to get the themselves back into contention. While these would likely be unpopular roster decisions, these are also two of the Blue Jays most tradeable big league assets.

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