Will Toronto Blue Jays go looking for a new second baseman?

Toronto Blue Jays fans have taken a liking to Ernie Clement for his mannerisms and persona, though his spot at second base might not be guaranteed next season.

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins hinted at a possible change of scenery at second base this offseason during his end-of-season media availability, stating that Clement would have to earn the starting job in 2027.

The comment wasn't Atkins doubting Clement's ability, as the Blue Jays GM clarified that the team asked a lot of him this year.

Still, one thing the Blue Jays front office will have a hard time ignoring is the depth of second basemen expected to hit free agency this offseason, and the possibility of a Clement replacement.

Asked about Ernie Clement and whether he has the second base job, Ross Atkins said he’s going to have to earn it. “But he always has.”

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) September 30, 2026

New York Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr., Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Brandon Lowe, and Detroit Tigers veteran Gleyber Torres all headline the list of second basemen who are expected to become free agents come November.

Pursuing Chisholm could help Toronto address two of its biggest issues from the 2026 season: scoring runs and baserunning — two statistics the Blue Jays finished as a bottom-five team in.

The 28-year-old hit 19 home runs and stole 41 bases across 137 games with the Yankees this past season. That's double the output of Clement, who finished with nine homers and seven stolen bases. And that was a down year for Chisholm, who hit 31 home runs and stole 31 bases in 2025.

Lowe could offer a similar upgrade. The 32-year-old hit 35 home runs last season, leading all second basemen in that category. He has also been extremely consistent, hitting more than 20 home runs in each of his past four seasons.

Then there's Torres, a veteran infielder whose offensive production is similar to Clement's, but with a little more power. The 29-year-old has averaged 18 home runs per season throughout his nine-year MLB career.

Gleyber Torres spent the last two seasons with the Detroit Tigers. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)

There's also chemistry between Torres and Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez, who won a world championship with the Venezuelan national team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic together.

Torres' experience batting near the top of the order could also make him an appealing option for Toronto,  as it would give the Blue Jays another power hitter who can work the count before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. comes to the plate.

Of the three options, Torres could be the most affordable and best fit for Toronto. He's coming off a one-year, $22 million deal with Detroit and will likely command a similar salary, possibly even lower if it's over three or four years.

As for Clement, he's arbitration-eligible in 2027 and isn't scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2029 season, meaning the Blue Jays still have three more seasons of control over the 30-year-old.

Even if the Blue Jays sign a second baseman, I wouldn't expect Atkins and the Blue Jays to give up on Clement just yet. He has previously thrived as a utility player, and there's a lot of value in his ability to play second, shortstop, and third when needed.