MLB Odds: Blue Jays avoid arbitration with Daulton Varsho, Ernie Clement
The Toronto Blue Jays finished a key piece of off-season business by avoiding arbitration with Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement.
It was reported on Thursday that Varsho has agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million contract, while Clement has agreed to a $4.6 million deal. Both players were key contributors to Toronto’s run to Game 7 of the World Series.
Here’s what you need to know.
Daulton Varsho
Varsho was limited to 71 games because of injury last year, but still managed to record 20 home runs and 55 RBIs while posting a .238 batting average.
The 29-year-old played all 18 games for the Jays in the playoffs, hitting .227 with three home runs and 10 RBIs.
Varsho is a solid power-hitter, but he’s most prized for his defensive play in centre field. He won a Gold Glove Award in his second season with Toronto in 2024.
Ernie Clement
Clement was absolutely dominant in the playoffs in 2025, setting a post-season record with 30 hits while batting .411. In the regular season, he had nine home runs and 50 RBIs while hitting .277.
Clement’s role in particular was in question after the Blue Jays signed Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal last week.
Okamoto is expected to begin the season at third base, meaning Clement will likely move to second base or shortstop depending on how the rest of the roster shapes out.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto has been one of the most active teams this off-season, signing pitchers Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and utility player Kazuma Okamoto.
The Blue Jays began the off-season at +2000 to win the World Series next year, but the signings of Cease, Ponce and Okamoto in addition to Shane Bieber opting into his 2026 player option have moved Toronto to +1300, tied with Seattle and trailing the Phillies (+1000), Yankees (+750) and Dodgers (+300).
The roster is getting crowded, but the Jays may not be done. Toronto is also still reportedly among the favourites to land top free agent slugger Kyle Tucker and there’s a belief they could possibly get Bo Bichette back on a one-year deal, similar to what Pete Alonso did last year with the Mets.
