CJ Abrams trade rumors could derail Nationals’ season

The Washington Nationals finally have a reason to glance at the standings without feeling embarrassed. Naturally, that has been followed by reports that they could trade the player doing more than anyone else to keep them there.

Washington is reportedly willing to listen to offers for CJ Abrams ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. The Nationals are not actively shopping their All-Star shortstop, nor have they decided to move him. Listening is not the same as selling. It still seems strange for the conversation to be taking place at all.

This is not a completely new position for the organization. During the offseason, Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni acknowledged the club would consider offers for Abrams. Toboni said it would be “negligent” for Washington to refuse to consider potential deals, although the reported asking price was extremely high.

Abrams responded to the latest trade chatter Saturday by going 3-for-4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He doubled home two runs, stole a base and launched his 25th homer of the season in Washington’s 5-3 win. His 79 RBIs lead the National League, while his .288 average and .905 OPS are both career highs.

The victory improved Washington to 53-52 and moved it within two games of a National League wild-card spot. This is not a club buried 15 games below .500 and trying to turn every useful veteran into prospects. The Nationals have a winning record, a positive run differential and a legitimate chance to play meaningful baseball into September.

Trading Abrams now would send a miserable message.

What would it take to trade CJ Abrams?

The Nationals acquired Abrams from the San Diego Padres as part of the enormous return for Juan Soto in 2022. He was supposed to become one of the faces of Washington’s next contender. Four years later, he has developed into exactly that.

Abrams is 25 years old and remains under team control through the 2028 season. Washington does not have to trade him because his contract is expiring. It would be moving a young star during his best season because another club made an offer too attractive to decline.

That offer would need to be borderline ridiculous.

The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers have reportedly expressed interest. Each can offer prospects, but prospects are supposed to eventually become players like Abrams. Washington already survived the painful portion of that process. Resetting it now would amount to rebuilding the rebuild.

There is also no obvious replacement waiting behind him. Nasim Nuñez is a gifted defensive player, but he has not shown that he can provide anything resembling Abrams’ offensive production. Removing the lineup’s leading run producer during a playoff chase would not be difficult to explain. It would be impossible.

The Nationals should be adding around CJ Abrams

Washington should be searching for pitching help and another dependable bat. Instead, the Nationals are reportedly willing to entertain offers that could make their current roster weaker while the postseason remains within reach.

Perhaps no team will meet the asking price. Listening costs nothing, and every responsible front office should understand the value of its players. Actually trading Abrams would be something else.

The Nationals have spent several seasons asking supporters to remain patient while the organization built toward its next competitive window. That window may have arrived earlier than expected. Washington should climb through it, not slam it shut because the Yankees called with a shiny collection of prospects.