The dust still is settling on the MacKenzie Gore trade to the Rangers, yet the air in D.C. has become debatably thicker in terms of trade rumors. According to reports, Paul Toboni isn't just listening in on offers for CJ Abrams... he's actively discussing him to teams that inquire.
Just when Nats fans were finally seeing some of the fruits of the "Soto haul" pan out, what was supposed to be the foundation of the future... It comes out that the Nationals are reportedly rebuffing interest from teams like the Giants while keeping the door open for another "farm altering" return. If you thought that trading Gore was an iffy move, how about trading a 25-year-old All-Star shortstop with three years of control, which is nothing less than a franchise-defining gamble.
If Toboni is serious about "playing for the future," here are three teams that could actually meet the astronomical asking price for the face of the Washington Nationals...
1. San Francisco Giants
Obviously they've already called and been rebuffed, which probably just means that Toboni is just waiting for them to sweat. The Giants are desperate for another franchise cornerstone after missing out on the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes and a mostly quiet second half from Rafael Devers. They have a hole to fill within their middle infield, and a fan base that is hungry for the best brand of baseball it can get in the Bay Area.
- The Package: 1B Bryce Eldridge (#25 MLB Prospect), OF Bo Davidson, and LHP Joe Whitman
- Why it works: The Nats get a potential 30 homer threat in Eldridge to pair in the lineup with James Wood, plus a promising young outfield prospect and lefty arm. For the Giants, they get a controllable star infielder to pair with Devers and Willy Adames.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
After falling short in the World Series and losing out on Tucker as well, the Jays are in "scorched earth spending" mode. They need a spark, and they need a long term answer at shortstop after Bo Bichette's departure. Abrams in that lineup, playing on the turf in Rogers Centre, would be a statistical nightmare for the rest of the AL East.
- The Package: INF Arjun Nimmala (#77 MLB Prospect), RHP Gage Stanifer, and INF Charles McAdoo
- Why it works: Nimmala gives the Nationals yet another promising middle infielder who could push for the big leagues within a couple years, while Stanifer and McAdoo should be in the majors by next year. McAdoo can be a potential option at third base long-term if Brady House flops this season, while Stanifer has shown the elite swing-and-miss stuff that Toboni covets.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
It sounds like a sick joke, but the Dodgers still aren't done. After signing Tucker they are reportedly looking to solidify the middle of their infield for the next decade at least. They have the deepest farm system in baseball and the motivation to build a literal "Super Team." This trade would be them gathering all the infinity stones to just push the league closer and closer to a lockout.
- The Package: OF Zyhir Hope (#27 MLB Prospect), SS Kellon Lindsey, and RHP River Ryan.
- Why it works: Zyhir Hope is a Virginia native and has become one of the most exciting young outfield prospects in the entire league. If the Nats are going to trade an All-Star shortstop, they need a blue chip return that helps to deter the fan from the losses that will continue to pile up. Some combination of Hope, James Wood, Daylen Lile, and Dylan Crews would be the most feared outfield in baseball by 2027.
Trading CJ Abrams would be the ultimate test of the Toboni Era. It would show a complete and total pivot away from the Rizzo regime and a full embrace of the Rays or Orioles model of constant asset churning. Is it risky? Absolutely. But if Toboni can turn one All-Star into three more cornerstones, the 2026 kick the can season might actually be worth the pain.