PHILADELPHIA — Demand is usually strong when versatile middle infielders who have big-league experience become available on a minor-league deal, which is why in the spring of 2023, four teams competed to sign Ernie Clement.

The Athletics, who had claimed him off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians the previous September, had released him March 12, and the calls to agent Steve Skrinar started immediately after. Two leading options quickly emerged — the New York Yankees, who held appeal as Clement’s childhood team; and the Toronto Blue Jays, whose triple-A affiliate in Buffalo offered the Rochester, N.Y., native a chance to play close to home.

The Yankees made what Skrinar described as “a pretty good offer,” but he felt the Blue Jays, who had less money on the table, actually had the better opportunity. Even with a deep big-league infield of Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Whit Merrifield, Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal, his read of the depth charts suggested a clearer path to the majors there. So Skrinar called assistant GM Mike Murov, whom he had known since they both worked as interns for the Marlins in 2008 and was overseeing the talks, said “you came in a little bit lighter,” and added, “hey, this is what it's going to take.”

“I thought it was probably the best spot for him,” said Skrinar. “And Mike was like, 'Give me 10 minutes, I'll call you back.' Sure enough, he called me back and the rest is history.”

Clement signed with the Blue Jays on March 14, and what a fateful decision that’s turned out to be. The 3.5 seasons since have taken him from off-roster depth piece, to bench player, to everyday guy, to single-season-playoff hits record-holder, to member of Team USA at the World Baseball Classic and, now, to starting second baseman and American League top vote-getter for the 96th All-Star Game.

2026 MLB All-Star Game on SportsnetBlue Jays ace Dylan Cease starts for the AL as the brightest stars in baseball go head-to-head in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. Watch the Midsummer classic Tuesday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.Broadcast schedule

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Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease starts for the AL as the brightest stars in baseball go head-to-head in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. Watch the Midsummer classic Tuesday on........

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