The Yankees and Red Sox are both hunting for help on the left side of the infield, but CJ Abrams sounds like a long shot to move.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that Washington is listening on the Nationals shortstop, yet the price tag is so steep that a deal before Monday’s deadline is “very unlikely.”
"Rival executives say the Nationals have been in listen mode to overtures for shortstop CJ Abrams, but say the asking price would be extremely high -- to the degree that it's very unlikely he'll be dealt before Monday's deadline," Olney wrote.
That kind of ask makes sense given what Abrams has done at the plate. He’s in the middle of the best offensive season of his young career, leading the Majors with 82 RBIs and already setting a personal high with 27 home runs. His .561 slugging percentage in 449 trips to the plate also leads the Majors.
For Boston, the need is especially obvious after losing Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer to the IL. The Red Sox are in a tougher spot at shortstop than the Yankees, who have Anthony Volpe and Jose Caballero as their top two options, with prospect George Lombard Jr. waiting for a chance at Triple-A.
Abrams would give either club a boost in the lineup, but his glove remains a problem. He has -13 outs above average, which puts him among the worst defenders in the sport.
For now, the reporting points to one conclusion: Abrams is probably staying put with the Nationals past the deadline.
In Other News...
Red Sox Trade Idea Solves Two Problems For A Price Fans Will Hate
The Red Sox have been looking for ways to shore up both catcher and the infield ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, and ESPNs Jeff Passan recently floated a Miami package that would address both needs at once. The appeal is obvious: Otto Lopez has emerged as an All-Star shortstop with a strong all-around offensive profile, while Liam Hicks brings a left-handed bat and the kind of versatility that can help a roster in more than one spot.
Bostons interest makes sense on paper because both players would come with years of control, giving the club help beyond a one-year fix. The problem is the kind of price that usually comes with that sort of certainty, and it is the sort of deal that forces a front office to decide whether solving two holes now is worth sacrificing the kind of young talent it has spent years building up. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Quietly Emerge For A Catcher Target Who Could Change Everything
The catching market is starting to take shape, and Boston has quietly surfaced as one of the teams keeping tabs on a young Rockies backstop who has turned in a career-best season. He brings the kind of right-handed power that can change a lineup in a hurry, and he is still controlled for years, which only adds to the appeal for a Red Sox club that is always weighing present help against longer-term value.
Colorado is not eager to move him, though, and any real conversation would have to start with a meaningful return. The profile is easy to understand: a catcher with impact pop, some swing-and-miss in the bat, and arbitration eligibility looming next offseason, which makes him the sort of player contenders can dream on and rebuilding clubs can still afford to keep. [Read more 🡒]