The Blue Jays know what they need heading toward the 2027 season: more offense. One trade idea floating around would certainly address that, but it would also force Toronto to stare straight at the downside.
In an October 30 FanSided piece, Chris Landers floated Washington Nationals All-Star C.J. Abrams as a target and suggested the Blue Jays should try to get a deal done before the potential MLB lockout. Landers also laid out a possible fit in which Abrams would play second base, pushing Ernie Clement back into a utility role.
On paper, it’s easy to see why that kind of move would grab Toronto’s attention. Abrams just put together the best offensive season of his career in 2026, hitting .261/.336/.497 with an .834 OPS. He also piled up 33 home runs, 106 RBI and 34 stolen bases.
For a Blue Jays lineup that struggled offensively in 2026, that production would be hard to ignore. Abrams would bring real power, plus the kind of speed that can manufacture runs even when the bats around him are quiet.
He also hits left-handed, which would help a lineup that needs more consistent balance. And at 26, he could still be part of the picture well beyond 2027 if Toronto were able to work out an extension.
But the fit isn’t clean, and that’s where the risk comes in.
Abrams’ defense was a problem in 2026. He made 20 errors and finished with minus-17 Outs Above Average.
Moving him to second base could help, but that creates another issue for Toronto: Clement. He’s the regular at second, and shifting him would mean dialing back the role of a player who gives the Blue Jays steady defense and versatility.
That kind of swap might be worth it if Abrams keeps producing at the plate, but it’s not a small adjustment.
Then there’s the price. Abrams is under team control through 2028, and Washington has no obligation to move him. Toronto would likely need to put together a package built around several valuable prospects, possibly including pitching talent the Blue Jays need for their own future.
That’s the tension here. Toronto needs an impact bat, but it also needs pitching depth and affordable young players who can help over the next several seasons.
Injuries already took a toll on the lineup in 2026, which makes depth even more important. Dealing away too much of it could create one problem while trying to solve another.
Abrams is the kind of player the Blue Jays should be looking at. The question is whether the cost would be too steep to make sense.
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