In Defence of Ernie Clement
With the Blue Jays seemingly in on everybody and willing to leave no opportunity unchecked, many analysts are saying that the team could use an upgrade at third base.
And while big names like Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman have been thrown around, the Jays likelihood of landing either of them is slim.
As it turns out, the best option for Blue Jays might be the third baseman they already have; Ernie Clement.
Clement enjoyed a breakout a season hitting 12 home runs to go with a .263. average across 139 on his way to being a gold glove finalist. And while those numbers may not seem impressive on the surface, he had less than 500 at bats over the course of the season.
He success was 2nd-half heavy as he was getting more regular at-bats post All-Star break.
During the first half of the year, with Isaiah Kiner-Falefa still at third, Clement was largely as a defensive replacement. Once IKF was traded mid-season however, Clement became the man at the hot corner.
And while his offensive numbers still leave something to be desired, if he can reach over 600 at bats, it is not out of the question for Clement to hit between 15-20 home runs. Not that the Blue Jays necessarily need him to.
A gold-glove caliber third baseman who can also hit 20 home runs is something most teams would love to have.
Last year, Arenado hit 16 home runs, his lowest total in a decade (not including the pandemic-shortened 2020 season). Bregman hit 24.
Clement's WAR for 2024 also sits right in the middle, with his 3.4 a full point higher than Arenado's and about 0.7 lower than Bregman's.
Arenado's OPS+ was 101, Clement's was 95.
Now, if either Bregman or Arenado become available to the Blue Jays then of course it is worth pursuing. Players like them with a proven track record can only make a team better, especially since Clement is also a fantastic short stop and 2nd baseman
However, saying the Blue Jays could do with - and should - an upgrade at third base is unfair to Clement.
While replicating success is never a given with any player, Ernie Clement deserves every chance to be the Blue Jays starting 3rd baseman in 2025. Maybe, he'll even win the Gold Glove this time.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 8 | 234 ANSWERS In Defence of Ernie Clement Does Ernie Clement deserve to be the Blue Jays everyday 3rd baseman? | ||
| Yes | 169 | 72.2 % |
| No | 65 | 27.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
