The Toronto Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with three players on Thursday.
The deadline for players and teams to file numbers with each other was today. And, before the deadline, Toronto got plenty of business done. The first move of the day was avoiding arbitration with the backup catcher Tyler Heineman to a one-year, $1,237,500 deal, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Nicholson-Smith then reported the Blue Jays avoided arbitration with star utility player Ernie Clement, who became a playoff hero for a $4.6 million deal.
Shortly after Clement’s deal was reported, Joel Sherman reported that Toronto avoided arbitration with Daulton Varsho on a one-year, $10.75 million deal.
Clement is expected to be a key part of the Blue Jays’ roster this season and will likely replace Bo Bichette at second base. Clement can play second and third base, and had a career year in 2025. He hit .277 with 9 home runs and 50 RBIs. In the playoffs, he hit .411 with 1 home run and 9 RBIs.
Varsho, meanwhile, is the Blue Jays’ starting center fielder and a key part of the roster. Varsho is one of the top defensive center fielders in baseball. Last season, he hit .238 with 20 home runs and 55 RBIs.
Heineman, meanwhile, is beloved in the clubhouse as he’s a magician and the team’s backup catcher. He played a valuable role last season. But, he will have competition for the backup spot with Brandon Valenzuela, whom Toronto acquired at the deadline last season.
Eric Lauer remains the only player the Blue Jays have yet to settle with.
Clement & Varsho Considered Extension Candidates
Although Toronto avoided arbitration with Clement and Varsho, the team can still sign them to an extension.
Blue Jays analyst Nick Asbourne of Sportsnet named Clement a likely extension candidate, and it could also be a reward for him. But, Toronto still has him under team control through 2028.
“Clement is the sweet spot for a contract extension in terms of proximity to free agency because he’s arbitration-eligible for three more seasons,” Ashbourne wrote. “A contract with the infielder could be a win-win that allows him to get financial security and a significant upgrade on his near-term income while the team buys out a couple of years of free agency.”
Ashbourne, meanwhile, believes Varsho is the most interesting extension candidate. He believes a deal makes sense for both sides to get a deal done.
“There are pretty good arguments for the Blue Jays to lock Varsho up as soon as possible. Or let another team be the one to pay him handsomely into his 30s,” Ashbourne added. “Varsho could also want to capitalize on his offensive progress and avoid 2026’s possible pitfalls, or bet on himself. At this moment, each side could make the case that this is a good time to get a deal done. And both would be risking a significant misstep by putting pen to paper.”
For now, the Blue Jays avoided arbitration with Clement and Varsho, which is a key part of the offseason.
Blue Jays May Not Be Done
Toronto has been active this offseason, and the team isn’t ruling out making another move.
At the Kazuma Okamoto press conference, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said the team can still spend more money.
“You have heard me say, probably too many times to count, that we will always be open to making our organization and team better, if there is a way to do that,” Atkins said on Tuesday. “At this point, we were answering the question back in early December and even in November, that we felt good about our team. That remains the case.
“We’ve made it better, so we do feel good about your team. The one thing I would add is that additions at this point would cut away from playing time from players we feel are very good Major League pieces. So we have to factor that in. But we’ve always had incredible support from ownership.”
Toronto has been linked to the likes of Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette.
Blue Jays Avoid Arbitration With 3 Players, Including Potential Bichette Replacement