Ernie Clement and Nathan Lukes have landed on MLB Trade Rumors' list of offseason trade candidates. The Blue Jays fan favourites appear in the “Others to Watch” section.

At first glance, it's surprising. Both have been steady contributors over the past two seasons.

Clement has hit close to .260 with a 10% strikeout rate since 2024. Lukes posted a .730 OPS in 2025 and a .715 mark this year.

But Clement's second half was rough. After his first All-Star nod, the 30-year-old managed just one homer and 13 RBIs over 51 games after the break.

His defence slipped, too. He finished with -5 Outs Above Average and -2 Defensive Runs Saved at second base.

And the outfielder? He hasn't done anything wrong.

Nathan Lukes could be squeezed out of a crowded Blue Jays outfield

The problem is the numbers game. Addison Barger and Anthony Santander are returning, and Brett Bateman emerged as a spark plug.

Barger bats left-handed like Lukes, while Santander is a switch-hitter. Someone becomes redundant.

Toronto is also chasing an outfield power bat like Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena. That would push Lukes even further down the depth chart.

He's also among the Jays facing contract decisions before the Nov. 20 non-tender deadline.

Trade Lukes, keep Clement. A Gold Glove-caliber right fielder has real value on the market, while Clement's versatility makes him more useful in a utility role than as a trade chip.

It's like selling a good car because there are two more in the driveway. It runs fine, but you only need so many.

The utility man's future depends on second base. If Toronto signs Brandon Lowe, he slides into the super-utility role where he's most valuable.

Neither move would be popular in Toronto. But these are two of the Jays' most tradeable big-league assets, and Ross Atkins may need to spend one to fix bigger holes.