C.J. Abrams has become the kind of player that naturally draws offseason speculation, and now the question around the Nationals shortstop is whether Washington will lock him up or listen to trade offers.
Abrams put together a big year for the Nationals, hitting .261 with 33 home runs, 106 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. That production has only fueled the chatter about what comes next for the 26-year-old, especially with his future in Washington still unsettled.
Could the Nationals look to move 2x All-Star CJ Abrams this offseason?@jonmorosi weighs in on the star infielder and his outlook with Washington. pic.twitter.com/22fm07e2Q6
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 6, 2026
On MLB Network, Jon Morosi said he thinks it is “more likely” that Abrams gets traded than signs an extension with the Nationals.
“I do believe that the Nationals would love to extend C.J. Abrams, but he has played so well of late that that number has kept going up and up, and it's a very interesting offseason in general, because so many of the top young shortstops in our game are available via trade to varying extents,” Morosi said.
Morosi also pointed to the market itself as a major factor. Shortstops carry real value around the league, and with limited help available in free agency, teams looking for one may have to get aggressive on the trade front. Abrams’ ability to fit in multiple spots only adds to the appeal, and Morosi mentioned the Yankees as one possible fit.
“You look around at the number of teams that need a shortstop,” Morosi said. “I would even start with the team in the Bronx that could potentially look for again, maybe not playing at shortstop because you got [George] Lombard, but a middle infielder. Abrams fits so many teams in so many different ways.”
Morosi added that if Abrams does end up signing an extension in Washington, the Nationals would likely need to give him confidence that shortstop will remain his main position. For now, the situation is still open, with Washington weighing whether to keep Abrams as a long-term centerpiece or move him for a significant return.
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