The Washington Nationals have fallen back to .500 over the last couple of games after dropping Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins, but it still is not the end of the world. After all, the Nationals have weirdly struggled against the Marlins over the last few seasons dating back to 2023 when they only went 2-11 against the team from South Beach.
Of course, the Nationals have overachieved in a major way this season, especially with the efforts of some of their star players that might be turning the corner to superstardom. In fact, you could easily make an argument that the Nationals should have multiple starters in this summer's MLB All-Star Game.
Outside of James Wood, who made last year's team but did not earn a starting spot, the Nationals also might have CJ Abrams potentially emerge as a starting candidate for the National League. As such, does it not seem a little bit ridiculous that he continues to pop up in trade rumors given the Nationals' success?
Yes, his fit for the timeline is a little bit strange. Yes, he is still subpar in the field as a shortstop. However, with the way he is playing this year, he might be a guy whose bat is indispensable for the success of this club's future. Although shortstop is the most crowded position in the Nationals' system currently, perhaps Abrams would consider a move to another spot.
If he is able to move to second base, he would profile to me similarly to a Ketel Marte, where he would easily be considered one of the game's premier players at the keystone due to his bat. Or, perhaps he could even move to a corner outfield spot, where his athleticism and speed would likely allow him to still be an above-average defender.
Still just 25-years-old, the Nationals still have 2.5 more years of control over Abrams as of now, and at this point he seems more like a true extension candidate once his long-term position gets figured out. He is not a Scott Boras client either, and there have also been some previous extension talks between his camp and the Nationals.
With Seaver King, Eli Willits, Devin Fitz-Gerald, and others headed up the pipeline at the shortstop spot, perhaps locking up the known young All-Star commodity in Abrams would prove to be the wise move. However, unless the Nationals ink Abrams to an extension, the trade talks will not subside at this time. While Paul Toboni would be able to get a sizable haul, with the Nationals perhaps ahead of schedule in their rebuild, perhaps keeping him around makes more sense for the future.
What do you think of CJ Abrams continuing to be mentioned in trade rumors? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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