The Washington Nationals may be headed into a winter where the phone won’t stop ringing about CJ Abrams.
Robert Murray of FanSided reported that “teams are expected to keep calling about Abrams.” That comes after Washington entertained interest in him last offseason, though the club ultimately kept him even after at least one strong offer surfaced. At the time, the Nationals’ asking price was already high, and it appears that approach hasn’t changed.
Abrams still brings plenty of appeal for rival teams. He’s under club control through the 2028 season, and his 2026 performance only strengthened his market.
The 26-year-old broke out at the plate, posting career bests in home runs with 33, RBIs with 106, OPS at .834, total hits with 151 and OPS+ at 124. He was also the All-Star Game starter.
That said, there are obvious reasons Washington would be hesitant to move him. Murray noted that the Nationals have “set a very high asking price” for Abrams, and there is “skepticism” that he will actually be traded this offseason. Still, the possibility remains on the table, especially with a long runway before Opening Day in 2027.
If Washington does keep him, Abrams looks like a player the organization can continue to build around, even if that eventually means a shift to second base. For now, though, the trade chatter is likely to linger just like it did a year ago.
The Nationals, meanwhile, are expected to have a busy offseason overall. With several notable and expensive contracts coming off the books, ownership is expected to open the wallet more for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni as he looks to assemble a more competitive roster for 2027. Pitching figures to be the biggest priority, with the front office needing at least one rotation arm and multiple relievers.
Washington had a season that could have put it in the wild card mix if it hadn’t blown so many leads, and the hope is to build on that momentum. But whether the biggest swing comes on the mound or in a potential Abrams deal, this is shaping up to be an offseason with plenty of movement around the Nationals.
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