Report – Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement and Zach Pop qualify for Super Two status

Major League Baseball has set Super Two arbitration eligibility at two years, 132 days according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press. This is a slight bump from last season’s eligibility time frame, which was set at two years, 118 days.

With this time frame set, both Ernie Clement (2.168) and Zach Pop (2.171) have become eligible for arbitration under Super Two status according to Blum.

Under normal arbitration timeframes, players usually have three years of service time on an active roster before becoming eligible for arbitration. Through this process, players and clubs must agree before a set deadline in the offseason on a contract for next year at a minimum (multi-year deals like Bo Bichette’s deal can be made). Should the two sides not agree before this deadline, both the player and club submit a salary figure for next season and the two sides head to arbitration. Should the two sides still not agree before their hearing, a group of arbitrators hear from both sides and eventually decide on the player’s salary for the upcoming season, siding with one side or the other. Players usually have three years under arbitration before becoming eligible for free agency.

Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement and Zach Pop earn Super 2 status

Under Super Two status, players who rank in the top 22% in terms of service time between two to three years of service time (and spent 86 days in the Majors or on the injured list last season) gain an additional fourth year of arbitration. This has benefits for the player in terms of earnings because under arbitration, the player and team exchange terms on a deal that is usually higher than what is offered through the pre-arbitration team control contract.

Clement spent the entire 2024 season with the Blue Jays and was one of the bright spots of a disappointing campaign for Toronto. He slashed .263/.284/.408 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs, and 51 RBIs while suiting up mostly at third base and splitting time at shortstop and second base. He earned a Gold Glove nomination at the hot corner with a 9 DRS and a .954 fielding percentage as well as a 92 outs above average.