Ernie Clement leaned against a table in the center of the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse as he listened to a reporter ask what was next for his team after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series.
Clement, the shining star of the postseason, reached behind his back and grabbed a can strategically hidden from the television cameras.
“I think I'll finish this beer. I'll finish this beer. I'll enjoy my last night with everyone,” the 29-year-old said, gesturing to his teammates in the room. “Yeah, I just want to immerse myself in the atmosphere of these guys. I can't stress this enough, I just love this band.
“Literally every person in the organization has made this year such a great year.”
Star player Bo Bichette was even more succinct about what's next after Toronto's third World Series appearance came to a disappointing end.
“I go to bed, wake up, pack my things and go home, and that’s what happens over the next couple of days,” Bichette said.
And of course, rest and recovery are necessary. Both Clement and Bichette played injured in the World Series against the Dodgers.
Clement suffered a fractured middle finger on his left hand, and Bichette missed most of September and the first two rounds of the postseason with a sprained left knee, which he deadpanned hurt “a little bit.”
Veteran reliever George Springer missed Games four and five of the Fall Classic with a midsection strain and also had a 95 mph fastball in the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners.
Toronto's lineup suffered two more serious injuries: starting pitcher Jose Berrios did not play a game in the playoffs after inflammation in his right elbow ended his season early. Slugger Anthony Santander, one of the Blue Jays' biggest acquisitions of the offseason, was shelved after three games in the ALCS with a back strain, an issue that has plagued him all year.
“I'm injured. My whole body is wounded. I just want to stay in bed for about a month,” Clement said. “After this month I'll be ready to play baseball and I can't wait for it.”
Bichette among several key free agents
While the Blue Jays recover physically, general manager Ross Atkins also has some work to do.
Several key Toronto playoff players will become free agents this offseason, including Game 7 starter Max Scherzer, pitcher Chris Bassitt and, most notably, Bichette, who has spent his entire career in the Blue Jays organization.
“I said I wanted to be here from the beginning,” Bichette said. “I want to stay here, but I just lost game seven.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has spent his entire career with Bichette and has stated that he wants to continue being a teammate. On April 9, Guerrero signed a 14-year extension with the Blue Jays worth $500 million in the United States.
“Obviously, I would like to finish my career playing for [Bichette]”,” Guerrero said with the friend just a few feet away. “But with free agency, he has to do his thing, go and do what he has to do, and get his money.”
Shane Bieber, acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians, has a player option in 2026. Clement and Gold Glove center fielder Daulton Varsho are also entering arbitration years.
Guerrero, who was a strong contender for World Series MVP if the Blue Jays win the championship, said he and his teammates will come back stronger when spring training begins in five months.
“Not only the season, this game will make us stronger,” Guerrero said through team interpreter Hector Lebron. “We didn’t want to end it like I always say, we lost one battle, but we didn’t lose the war.
“But I mean, that's the way it is. These are God's plans and we must move forward. I’m very proud of myself, my teammates, and we’ll be back.”
