The Toronto Blue Jays have a strong chance at making the MLB playoffs despite struggling for most of the year. Entering Wednesday’s series finale against the Athletics, Toronto sits just one game back of the Cleveland Guardians. The Blue Jays also own the tiebreaker over the Guardians.

With every game carrying more weight, the Blue Jays need their players performing at their highest potential. Unfortunately, fan-favorite utility infielder Ernie Clement has not been doing so.

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While Clement usually provides value with his glove and his speed, he has not delivered on either front in 2026. According to Baseball Savant, Clement has posted a Fielding Run Value of minus-4, largely due to his weak arm.

He has also stolen just three bases since the All-Star break. While his versatility is valuable, he does struggle at the positions he plays most often.

The most glaring problem is his bat in the second half. Since the break, the 30-year-old has posted a .227 batting average, .360 on-base percentage, .542 OPS, one home run and 14 RBIs. Clement has just eight total extra-base hits during that stretch.

For Wednesday’s finale in Sacramento, the Blue Jays once again started Clement at his usual spot at second base, hitting seventh in the order.

With the playoffs getting closer, the Blue Jays must consider moving Clement out of the everyday lineup to give other players more opportunities, or at least begin mixing in options at second base. Josh Smith and Charles McAdoo are both available for manager John Schneider if he chooses to exploit a platoon advantage in certain matchups.

At this stage of the season, with a playoff spot on the line, every lineup decision carries consequences and Schneider can no longer afford to ignore what the numbers are saying about Clement’s second-half production. Clement was a postseason hero for the Blue Jays in 2025, but that should not guarantee his place in the lineup.

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