CJ Abrams: Our new man in the middle

[Slateman]

Well, I have to say, the second half is disappointing. Again, he regresses with the bat.

He also has 21 errors, -5 DRS, and -10 OAA.


I think there are a severalCJ conversations that a potential new GM/PoBO would need to have about CJ.

The first is, do we want to keep him? For the second season in a row, he has fallen way off in the second half. His defense continues to get worse. He seems mentally unengaged. It could be the coaching. It could be the fact that team is pretty much out of it by the ASB. Or it could be the player. If we're going to have serious conversations about trading Gore, then a conversation about trading CJ needs to be had as well. If this is just mental, its understandable. But the team is unlikely to improve drastically next year.

Second, if we keep him, where do we play him? Again, maybe better coaching can fix this. But, the last three years, he has had 60 errors (as of Sept 15) as a full time, full season short stop. Of those 60 errors, 37 of them are throwing errors. I just don't think he has the arm to play SS. Or at least, he doesn't have the arm to get by at SS with his mental inattentiveness.  This year, the throwing errors seem disproportionately more than fielding. He has 17 throwing errors so far. Does this issue get resolved by moving to second base? Maybe. At one point, the Padres tried him there and in the OF. Does moving him to second base alleviate these errors? If not, is moving him to CF an option?

Third, is he a platoon bat? For his career, he is a .626 OPS against LHP. He's a .760 OPS against RHP. This year its .661 vs .801. Last year, though, he hit over 100 points better against LHP vs RHP. I think we should take a hard look at this season and last year, as these have been is "all star" level seasons. In the first half of this year, he had a .863 OPS against LHP (.825 OPS against RHP). Dude was a stud.

Last year, in the first half, he had .831 OPS against LHP (.831 against RHP). In the second half of last year, he was a .813 OPS against LHP (.595 OPS vs RHP in the second half of 2024). Second half ofthis year, .394 OPS against LHP so far, (.642 OPS against RHP). I mean, some of this has to be luck, but it seems like he is pretty capable of hitting LHP, at least when he's locked in.


At this point, if you move him, its as a 2B with a high .700s OPS. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is probably the most comparable player. Is that worth keeping vs what you could get as part of a package?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think we  can live  with his ability to hit LHP. There's more or less 5 lefty shortstops  who play regularly against LHP - Seager, Crawford, CJ, Gunnar, and Josh Smith (using a 100 PA vs LHP cut off and recognizing Smith must have gotten a lot of those  PAs playing another position). None of them pile up great numbers. Seager and Crawford are a little better than CJ (.732 and .676 OPS vs .662), while Gunnar and Smith are worse (.595 & .505).  You take 3 year numbers and Gunnar and Smith pop up to CJ's level (O'Niel Cruz appears too, but at a worse level).

The bigger question / problem is  whether we can admit that the bat can't carry the D at the most important defensive position other than catcher. I don't think a shift to 2nd is going to help much in terms of throwing. To my eye,  it's not arm strength, it's accuracy, and I don't know  if he will become more accurate with a shorter throw that requires more of a turn to throw rather than facing 1B from the get go. As for CF, have him take a number. There's a long line of guys who can play there.

[Slateman]

I think we  can live  with his ability to hit LHP. There's more or less 5 lefty shortstops  who play regularly against LHP - Seager, Crawford, CJ, Gunnar, and Josh Smith (using a 100 PA vs LHP cut off and recognizing Smith must have gotten a lot of those  PAs playing another position). None of them pile up great numbers. Seager and Crawford are a little better than CJ (.732 and .676 OPS vs .662), while Gunnar and Smith are worse (.595 & .505).  You take 3 year numbers and Gunnar and Smith pop up to CJ's level (O'Niel Cruz appears too, but at a worse level).

The bigger question / problem is  whether we can admit that the bat can't carry the D at the most important defensive position other than catcher. I don't think a shift to 2nd is going to help much in terms of throwing. To my eye,  it's not arm strength, it's accuracy, and I don't know  if he will become more accurate with a shorter throw that requires more of a turn to throw rather than facing 1B from the get go. As for CF, have him take a number. There's a long line of guys who can play there.

Agreed. Particularly on a team that has Nasim Nunez.

[aspenbubba]

Well, I have to say, the second half is disappointing. Again, he regresses with the bat.

He also has 21 errors, -5 DRS, and -10 OAA.


I think there are a severalCJ conversations that a potential new GM/PoBO would need to have about CJ.

The first is, do we want to keep him? For the second season in a row, he has fallen way off in the second half. His defense continues to get worse. He seems mentally unengaged. It could be the coaching. It could be the fact that team is pretty much out of it by the ASB. Or it could be the player. If we're going to have serious conversations about trading Gore, then a conversation about trading CJ needs to be had as well. If this is just mental, its understandable. But the team is unlikely to improve drastically next year.

Second, if we keep him, where do we play him? Again, maybe better coaching can fix this. But, the last three years, he has had 60 errors (as of Sept 15) as a full time, full season short stop. Of those 60 errors, 37 of them are throwing errors. I just don't think he has the arm to play SS. Or at least, he doesn't have the arm to get by at SS with his mental inattentiveness.  This year, the throwing errors seem disproportionately more than fielding. He has 17 throwing errors so far. Does this issue get resolved by moving to second base? Maybe. At one point, the Padres tried him there and in the OF. Does moving him to second base alleviate these errors? If not, is moving him to CF an option?

Third, is he a platoon bat? For his career, he is a .626 OPS against LHP. He's a .760 OPS against RHP. This year its .661 vs .801. Last year, though, he hit over 100 points better against LHP vs RHP. I think we should take a hard look at this season and last year, as these have been is "all star" level seasons. In the first half of this year, he had a .863 OPS against LHP (.825 OPS against RHP). Dude was a stud.

Last year, in the first half, he had .831 OPS against LHP (.831 against RHP). In the second half of last year, he was a .813 OPS against LHP (.595 OPS vs RHP in the second half of 2024). Second half ofthis year, .394 OPS against LHP so far, (.642 OPS against RHP). I mean, some of this has to be luck, but it seems like he is pretty capable of hitting LHP, at least when he's locked in.


At this point, if you move him, its as a 2B with a high .700s OPS. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is probably the most comparable player. Is that worth keeping vs what you could get as part of a package?

You nailed it. If he is traded we would need a SS and 2B as I have seen enough of Garcia. We have no one in the system that is remotely close enough to make the club. King and Wallace are light years away if ever. We already have a glut of OF's.

[Slateman]

You nailed it. If he is traded we would need a SS and 2B as I have seen enough of Garcia. We have no one in the system that is remotely close enough to make the club. King and Wallace are light years away if ever. We already have a glut of OF's.

I too have seen enough of Garcia, but I also think that he is someone that would benefit from coaching as well. The one time he was good was the one time Rizzo put a foot in his ass.

I don't think you are beholden to getting a SS and 2B. I think you could easily get a decent prospect haul and play Nunez at SS with Garcia at 2B. Maybe a new coach plus the prospect of free agency after next season get Garcia to work hard. You could also just get a cheap free agent like IKF for a couple years and live with it.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

You are going to have to bid for his services, but Paul DeJong has had an ok year. I expected more homers, but his average is up a bit. The glove is fine.  If you can bing him back, he would shore up 2nd.

[zimm_da_kid]

Gotta trade cj while we can still convince another team he’s a shortstop.

[Smithian]

I don't think CJ Abrams has value to trade. I'm with Slate in moving him to 2B. Like Wood and others, I'd like to see him with a new staff.

[imref]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/looking-for-a-match-in-a-cj-abrams-trade.html?utm_source=twitter

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/87484/the-nationals-heavily-consider-a-cj-abrams-trade

The  case for trading CJ now.  Suggests we would get at least 1 top 100 plus some lottery tickets (e.g., Harry Ford plus a couple  of Mariners top 30). Obviously can't play SS, but should be able to handle a move to 2B.

Thanks to his athleticism, he could likely make the transition to another position, such as second base, something that seems very likely if he were moved to a contending team at some point.

This isn’t to say Abrams is a bad baseball player; in fact, he is far from it. Utilized correctly, Abrams could be one of the best second basemen in baseball, showcasing the speed and bat-to-ball skills of a great leadoff hitter, as long as his plate discipline improves. But, based on the underlying metrics, which don’t suggest much more offensive improvement, and the shaky defensive performance (not to mention the off-the-field issues in 2023, which it is unknown if are fixed), I am very much for at least listening to offers from contenders about Abrams, and making a deal for the right price.

So what is Abrams worth in a trade? With 3 years of team control, a 3 fWAR season behind him, and projections that hold him at about 3 WAR again entering next season, we can assume Abrams would be a decently hot commodity on the trading block, fetching at least one top 100 prospect, possibly more, and some lottery tickets in another team’s system as well.

[Smithian]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/87484/the-nationals-heavily-consider-a-cj-abrams-trade

The  case for trading CJ now.  Suggests we would get at least 1 top 100 plus some lottery tickets (e.g., Harry Ford plus a couple  of Mariners top 30). Obviously can't play SS, but should be able to handle a move to 2B.

I question his value being that high. If it is, pull the trigger yesterday. I think it would be a win-win for Abrams and the team. He is a prime fresh start candidate.

[Slateman]

I question his value being that high. If it is, pull the trigger yesterday. I think it would be a win-win for Abrams and the team. He is a prime fresh start candidate.

I mean, even with his terrible defense, Abrams is a 3.5 WAR player with three more seasons of control. That should garner a nice trade package.

I think the Nats would be justified in keeping Abrams and seeing if better coaching can get his second half closer to his first half, as well as correct his home/away splits. A 125-135 wRC+ bat at second base is pretty desirable.

[Smithian]

I mean, even with his terrible defense, Abrams is a 3.5 WAR player with three more seasons of control. That should garner a nice trade package.

I think the Nats would be justified in keeping Abrams and seeing if better coaching can get his second half closer to his first half, as well as correct his home/away splits. A 125-135 wRC+ bat at second base is pretty desirable.

I don't disagree with this post. I'm fine seeing his value can be reset under a new staff. I just think if there is a team out there willing to send a nice package, then move him on.

[Slateman]

I don't disagree with this post. I'm fine seeing his value can be reset under a new staff. I just think if there is a team out there willing to send a nice package, then move him on.

I agree. I just don't think teams will commit without seeing something more tangible. I'm the opposite on Gore. Deal him now before he blows out his elbow.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

From Brendan Gawlowski's (prospect writer) q & A iin FG:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/brendan-gawlowski-prospects-chat-2-10-26/

Gob Bleuth: What kind of prospect cost would a cj abrams deal set the blue jays back?

2:32    
Brendan Gawlowski: Three years of control for a 3.5 WAR position player… A lot. Toronto could put together a depth package like what Texas did with Gore but they’re vulnerable to someone with a better headliner topping the offer.

[Smithian]

The Gore package isn't doing it for Abrams. As Gawlowski said, there has to be a better #1 piece of the deal.

I strongly believe the best move is to bet on CJ Abrams through the deadline with a new staff. He'll be motivated to get the hell out. I can see some team trying to make a real run before 2027 coming in for him to both be a boost this year and a foundational piece on the other side.

Now, if a team comes in with the Rangers package and replace Fien with a top 50 prospect, I'd have a hard time saying no getting a headliner and further system depth. But it has to be a consensus top 50 prospect or a couple top 100 prospects to begin the conversation.

EDIT

Forgot Luis Arráez signed with Giants. That probably means they're out of the Abrams sweepstakes for the time being if the price is higher than what they initialy offered.

[tomwvr]

Gotta trade cj while we can still convince another team he’s a shortstop.

That is 100% correct

[Slateman]

That ship has likely sailed.

[IanRubbish]

Forgot Luis Arráez signed with Giants. That probably means they're out of the Abrams sweepstakes for the time being if the price is higher than what they initialy offered.

The stories I read around here were that the Giants wanted CJ for 2B, but sounded like the Nats wanted too much in return. 

[IanRubbish]

This team generally dumps arb eligible salaries with 1.5-2 years to go.  Plenty of time for an offer they like to materialize and by next year there will be a lot more pressure to dump his salary when he gets a likely raise to $7-$8M.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Backing what you are saying:

Jayson Stark asked MLB insiders for their "most likely player to be traded in spring break", Abrams tops the list:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7049238/2026/02/16/mlb-players-trade-predictions-2026-spring-training/

[zimm_da_kid]

Pirates still need some affordable, controllable offense while they still have Skenes. Abrams for Hernandez and Florentino