The Nationals may have a decision to make on CJ Abrams sooner than they’d like.
After keeping him through a season in which he put together a breakout year, Washington could still wind up shopping the infielder after the 2026 season. The wrinkle is simple: Abrams wants to stay at shortstop, and that could put him on a collision course with the organization.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that a long-term extension in Washington looks unlikely because of Abrams’ stance. In Feinsand’s words: "Abrams wants to remain at shortstop long-term, making an extension with Washington unlikely, so president of baseball operations Paul Toboni could look to deal the two-time All-Star as he continues to shape the club in his second year on the job,"
That tension matters because the Nationals do not want to keep Abrams at shortstop and are instead trying to shift him to second base. If neither side bends, a split becomes the cleanest outcome.
Abrams has given Washington plenty of reason to value him highly. The All-Star infielder has 30 home runs this season and owns a 4.4 bWAR, making him one of the more appealing trade chips on the market if the Nationals decide to move him.
The timing could work in Washington’s favor, too. Abrams is under club control through the 2028 season, and next year he’ll be just 26 years old with two years of control left. In a free-agent market short on good infield options, that kind of player could draw a major return from a contender.
So while the Nationals held onto Abrams when other teams showed interest, his future in Washington still may not be settled. If the shortstop issue doesn’t get resolved, the offseason could bring a trade that fits both the player’s preference and the team’s plans.
In Other News...
Nationals Depth Arms Are Creating A Late-Season Question
Late in the season, the Nationals lower-level pitching inventory is still offering small reminders that the organization has more than one arm worth tracking. At Rochester, DJ Herz turned in another solid outing, working 4 innings and limiting the damage to one run as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre came away with a 5-3 win. In the same game, Rochester also got a look at Cayden Wallaces power, with his 11th homer of the year providing one of the more notable swings of the day.
The more interesting tension for Washington is how those depth arms are stacking up in the system at once. New Hampshire fell 2-1 in 10 innings after a walk-off two-run homer, but the game had been shaped earlier by scoreless work from Yoel Tejada Jr. and Alex Clemmey before Thomas Schultz entered late and the inning unraveled. For a club watching closely for rotation help beyond the obvious names, those mixed results only sharpen the question of who is pushing closest to the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Lottery Odds Could Shape Their Next Big Roster Break
The MLB draft lottery has already changed how the Nationals think about finishing at the bottom of the standings. Instead of the old worst-record-first setup, the three worst teams now share equal odds at the top pick, and Washington has already lived through the volatility of that system, going second in 2023 before landing the first pick in 2025. For a franchise trying to rebuild through the draft, the difference between a favorable bounce and a modest slide can shape the next wave of talent.
Looking ahead to 2027, the lottery picture is already starting to take shape, with some clubs removed from the pool because of market size or recent top selections. The Nationals are part of that conversation again, and the broader appeal is obvious: one draw can alter the course of an entire roster plan, especially when the next class is still coming into focus and the early pecking order remains fluid. [Read more 🡒]
Nats Push For Series Win As Pitching Plans Suddenly Get Interesting
A win in the previous game left Washington with a chance to take the series, and the pitching picture around it has changed quickly. Andrew Alvarez is set to start as the left-hander gets the ball, while the clubs offense has continued to do enough to keep the Nationals in a good spot, with a positive run differential and a top-three ranking in MLB in runs scored this season.
The roster churn has been part of the story, too, with the Nationals making several moves as they try to keep the staff moving in the right direction. Harry Ford is dealing with an injury concern but avoided an injured-list stint, and the clubs latest mix of arms now gives the next game a little more intrigue than it had a day ago. [Read more 🡒]