Varsho, Clement and Heineman agree to one-year deals with Jays to avoid arbitration

Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Toronto on Oct. 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO — Outfielder Daulton Varsho, infielder Ernie Clement and backup catcher Tyler Heineman agreed to one-year contracts with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Varsho’s deal was worth US$10.75 million, Clement came to terms at $4.6 million and Heineman agreed to $1.2375 million.

Pitcher Eric Lauer, the only other Blue Jays player eligible for arbitration, will have a hearing on his contract.

Varsho, 29, was limited to 71 games last season due to shoulder and hamstring injuries. A Gold Glove Award winner in 2024, the defensive star hit .238 last year with an .832 on-base plus slugging percentage, 20 homers and 55 runs batted in.

Clement, 29, became an everyday player with the Blue Jays last season, hitting .277 with a .711 OPS over 157 games. He hit nine homers and drove in 50 runs before shining in the playoffs.

The utility infielder set a Major League Baseball record with 30 post-season hits and had a .411 average. The Blue Jays reached Game 7 of the World Series before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Clement was an American League Gold Glove finalist at both utility and third base in each of the last two seasons.

Lauer, 30, was a reliable member of the starting rotation in the middle of the year before returning to the bullpen late in the campaign.

The left-hander, who pitched in South Korea and the minor leagues in 2024, was 9-2 with a 3.18 earned-run average over 28 appearances (15 starts).

Heineman hit .289 last season over 64 games as a backup for Alejandro Kirk. The 34-year-old had three homers, 20 RBIs and an OPS of .777.

MLB players who don’t reach deals by Thursday’s deadline will have hearings scheduled from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

— With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2026.