The Toronto Blue Jays can do whatever they want in free agency.
The reason? Ernie Clement.
This is mostly about Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman, two of the top free agent hitters remaining, both infielders. But it really applies to the whole possibility of Toronto adding bats to the lineup.
Clement opens everything up because of his versatility.
The postseason hero, who set a new record for hits in a single playoffs, can play third base, and shortstop, and second base, and even first base. He played centerfield for a national champion Virginia team in college, too.
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So when the Blue Jays are looking to sign one of these top bats, they can focus on getting them in the building. Clement can move wherever there is an opening to accommodate the rest.
That means if the Blue Jays want to bring Bichette back and keep him at shortstop, they can. Clement would play third.
It means if they want Bichette to return but play third, they can. Clement would play short (or Andres Gimenez could play shortstop and Clement second).
Bregman is a third baseman, and the same moves could apply for Clement.
Some teams trying to fill a spot really only have one spot, which rules out certain free agents.
But specifically because of Clement's defensive versatility, the Blue Jays have pretty much every option available to them. And that's a good place to be.
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