When reports broke that the Toronto Blue Jays had landed star pitcher Dylan Cease, the excitement of the move spread far beyond the fanbase.
Following the team's run to the World Series, adding one of the top free agents available on the winter market also had Blue Jays players itching to get back on the field.
"I was fired up," Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement told The Nation Network's Lindsay Dunn during a community event in Rochester, N.Y. "We want as many good people and good players as possible. From what I've heard, he's an awesome guy and he's a pretty darn good pitcher, so we'll take that."
Clement took part in Small Business Saturday with the MiLB's Rochester Red Wings, where he signed autographs, was given a key to his home Monroe County and was honoured by the proclamation of Nov. 29 as "Ernie Clement Day," after his breakout campaign.
The 29-year-old became a key contributor for the Blue Jays in 2025, posting a .711 OPS with nine homers while emerging as one of MLB's top defenders. Clement led MLB with 22 defensive runs saved, spending time at all four infield positions.
In the post-season, he took his offensive game to another level, though. Clement broke the MLB record for hits in a single playoff run, collecting 30 knocks to pass the mark previously held by Randy Arozarena.
While his on-field contributions were undoubtedly impactful, Clement seemingly left just as large — if not larger — a mark with his presence in Toronto's clubhouse.
So it's perhaps no surprise that Clement is lobbying to return some of the free agents that played a part in the Blue Jays' special season.
Most notably among the 2025 Blue Jays to currently be testing the open market are starters Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer, who both delivered key performances for Toronto in the ALCS and World Series.
"We have our fantasy football group chat, so there's plenty of smack talk going on," Clement said when asked if he's been staying in touch with his teammates this off-season. "All those free agents we're losing, we're trying to make sure we don't lose them.
"So, we're trying to bring the boys back and run it back, because that was a special group."
