Major League Baseball has set the Super Two arbitration eligibility threshold at two years and 132 days of service, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press. This is a slight increase from last season’s 118-day mark. As a result, both Ernie Clement (2.168 years) and Zach Pop (2.171 years) now qualify for Super Two status, making them eligible for arbitration earlier than most players.

Typically, players need three full years of service time before they can enter arbitration. During this process, players and teams must agree on a contract for the next season by a designated offseason deadline, though multi-year deals (like Bo Bichette’s) are possible. If they fail to reach an agreement, both sides propose salary figures, and the matter goes to arbitration. If an agreement is still not reached, an arbitration panel will decide on the player’s salary for the upcoming season. After three years of arbitration, players usually become eligible for free agency.

**Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement and Zach Pop Achieve Super Two Status**

Under Super Two status, players who rank in the top 22% in terms of service time between two and three years, and have spent at least 86 days in the majors or on the injured list in the previous season, are granted an additional year of arbitration eligibility. This provides players with a chance to earn more, as arbitration usually results in a higher salary than what is offered under a pre-arbitration team control contract.

Clement, who spent the entire 2024 season with the Blue Jays, was a standout on a struggling Toronto team. He posted a .263/.284/.408 batting line, with 21 doubles, 12 home runs, and 51 RBIs. Primarily playing third base, Clement also spent time at shortstop and second base. His strong defensive play earned him a Gold Glove nomination, highlighted by 9 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), a .954 fielding percentage, and 92 Outs Above Average.

While his OPS dropped to .692 due to a low walk rate, Clement demonstrated elite contact skills, ranking in the 99th percentile for squared-up percentage at 36.9%. His impressive 9.1% strikeout rate was nearly 14% below the MLB average. Clement finished the season with a 3.4 bWAR and, with his strong performance, is likely to be given an opportunity for a full-time role next year.

Zach Pop also earned Super Two status this offseason despite spending much of the year bouncing between Buffalo and Toronto. He appeared in 58 games out of the bullpen, posting a 5.59 ERA over 48 1/3 innings. The Canadian right-hander recorded a 1.324 WHIP, with a 3.5 BB/9 and a 6.1 K/9, resulting in a 5.53 FIP.

Pop’s biggest challenge was his inconsistency. He had dominant stretches, including a solid May where he allowed just five earned runs in 13 appearances and posted a 1.135 WHIP. However, he struggled with a high ERA in other months (over 4.00) and had issues with the long ball, giving up 1.7 HR/9.

According to Spotrac, Clement’s contract is estimated at $2.55 million, while Pop is projected to earn $1 million. The two join fellow Super Two players Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho, along with Alejandro Kirk and several others, as Blue Jays players eligible for arbitration this offseason.