Ernie Clement had the kind of season many baseball players dream about. He became an All-Star, established himself as Toronto’s regular second baseman and played in 158 games. Yet as the Blue Jays look toward 2027, a question hangs over his future that wasn’t nearly as obvious a few months ago.

Clement’s season was a tale of two halves. He finished with a .259 batting average, a .285 on-base percentage and a .649 OPS. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story, though. He hit .296/.318/.433 before the All-Star break, then fell to .203/.235/.259 in the second half. September was particularly difficult, when his OPS dropped to .386.

That’s quite a change for a player who had become such a dependable part of Toronto’s lineup.

Can Clement Return as the Jays’ Everyday Second Baseman?

General manager Ross Atkins recently addressed whether Clement would return as the everyday second baseman. His answer was interesting. Clement, he said, would have to earn the job, adding that he always has. I think there’s something worth considering in that second part.

Clement didn’t simply stumble into an everyday role. He earned it through his play, his willingness to move around the infield and his ability to give the team dependable work. One difficult stretch doesn’t erase those contributions.

But an All-Star selection shouldn’t guarantee a starting job indefinitely.

How Should the Blue Jays Use Clement in the 2027 Season?

For Toronto, the bigger question might be how best to use Clement rather than whether he belongs in the lineup. His defensive versatility gives the Blue Jays options at several infield positions. That flexibility can become particularly valuable over a 162-game season, when injuries, rest days and changing matchups create opportunities for players who can handle more than one position.

Of course, Clement probably sees things differently. At 30, having established himself as an everyday player, he has every reason to want to keep that role. A strong spring training and a more consistent offensive season would help his case considerably. There’s also something to be said for having a player who has already shown he can handle the demands of a full season.

Can Ernie Clement Build on Last Year’s All-Star Season?

The Blue Jays need more consistent offence in 2027, and they can’t simply assume Clement will rediscover his first-half production. But they also shouldn’t overlook what he brings beyond his batting average.

Clement earned his All-Star recognition. Now comes another challenge: showing Toronto that his best baseball isn’t behind him. He needs to show that he can be part of a Blue Jays team looking to recapture the consistency and success it enjoyed in 2025.

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