CJ Abrams: Our new man in the middle

[welch]

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abramcj01.shtml

Arb eligible after next season. Earliest FA after 2029. Keep him for a while, especially since King is not ready for the majors. Reports are that Rochester coaches are teaching King the proper footwork to play SS. Meanwhile, CJ seems to be improving his fielding.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

On the season, Abrams is slashing .381/.447/.667 with runners in scoring position. He became the first player in club history to record 50 or more RBIs and 10-plus stolen bases through the first 66 games of a season since Vladimir Guerrero in 2002, when the team was still the Montreal Expos.

https://www.thebanner.com/sports/nationals-mlb/nationals-win-giants-4-3-comeback-2KFAMTW5FRC5TC2J7CUSL7KCBQ/

[Slateman]

https://www.thebanner.com/sports/nationals-mlb/nationals-win-giants-4-3-comeback-2KFAMTW5FRC5TC2J7CUSL7KCBQ/

CJ slashed .246/.282/.377 last year with RISP. We have, effectively, swapped CJ and Woods' "traditional" roles and both are thriving.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

CJ slashed .246/.282/.377 last year with RISP. We have, effectively, swapped CJ and Woods' "traditional" roles and both are thriving.

Sallick suggests CJ's superior contact abilities make him more suited to hitting with men on while Wood's ability to walk coupled with a higher swing and miss rate makes him more suited for leadoff.

When you watch the games, it is easy to see that Abrams has been a clutch player this year. He has had a number of big moments, and is second in baseball in RBI’s. The advanced numbers are even more impressive for Abrams in big spots. Even before yesterday’s heroics, Abrams’ wRC+ with RISP was nearly 200 and it was above 200 in high leverage spots.
...
However, the move actually makes a ton of sense when you think about it. Wood gets on base a ton, but his swing and miss issues make it tougher for him to hit that single with guys on second and third. While Abrams has the speed of a leadoff man, he does not see a ton of pitches or get on base at the same clip as Wood. What Abrams does well is make contact, especially with runners on base.

Another positive of this lineup construction is that it splits up Wood and Abrams. It really lengthens the lineup and puts stress on the pitching staff. This Nats lineup is incredibly tough to navigate from 1 to about 7. There are so many different skillsets in there even beyond Wood and Abrams. Curtis Mead and Luis Garcia Jr. are both solid hitters, but they get it done in such different ways.

https://www.federalbaseball.com/washington-nationals-analysis/91735/cj-abrams-been-king-of-clutch-for-washington-nationals

He's on a 124 RBI pace, which would  be the second most for Nat, behind only Anthony Rendon in 2019.

[Slateman]

Sallick suggests CJ's superior contact abilities make him more suited to hitting with men on while Wood's ability to walk coupled with a higher swing and miss rate makes him more suited for leadoff. https://www.federalbaseball.com/washington-nationals-analysis/91735/cj-abrams-been-king-of-clutch-for-washington-nationals

He's on a 124 RBI pace, which would  be the second most for Nat, behind only Anthony Rendon in 2019.

I think that is the case for a team that has the ability to run. I'm kind of wondering if Lile should be hitting 2nd instead of Garcia.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think that is the case for a team that has the ability to run. I'm kind of wondering if Lile should be hitting 2nd instead of Garcia.

You do need to get Lile  going a little better.  Performance has been similar this year, but Garcia is probably a better contact guy while Lile is a better OBP guy as well as a better runner. Lile at his best is a better  hitter and I like a better hitter at #2. That switch might be worth trying.

[varoadking]

You do need to get Lile  going a little better.  Performance has been similar this year, but Garcia is probably a better contact guy while Lile is a better OBP guy as well as a better runner. Lile at his best is a better  hitter and I like a better hitter at #2. That switch might be worth trying.

Agreed...and they need to get that .185 hitter out of the 5 hole...

[welch]

Rumors that the Dodgers have offered three prospects for Abrams.

Dodgers’ 'perfect offer' for CJ Abrams puts Nationals in spotlight

The Dodgers’ proposed package for Abrams includes their No. 1 prospect Josue De Paula, promising shortstop Emil Morales, and pitching prospect Cam Leiter. De Paula’s disciplined approach and power potential draw comparisons to Yordan Alvarez, while Morales boasts notable raw power and athleticism for his age. Leiter adds high-velocity upside despite injury and control concerns, making the offer a blend of MLB-ready potential and long-term development pieces.

ClutchPoints

Why this proposal could shift the Nationals’ rebuild strategy
Trading Abrams could net Washington multiple high-upside prospects, potentially creating one of baseball’s top farm systems. With two years of club control left, moving him now could maximize value and avoid losing him for nothing in free agency. However, his timeline may not align perfectly with Washington’s emerging core, raising questions about whether to cash in at peak value or keep building around him.

Washington Nationals On SI

Analysts split on trading a breakout star

Some argue Abrams’ leadership, offensive prowess, and role in Washington’s playoff push make him too valuable to trade. Others point to his defensive limitations and the potential for a massive return as reasons to consider a deal. Fan sentiment is also a factor, as moving him could alienate a recovering fanbase still wary after past roster overhauls.

District on Deck + 1

From rising star to trade rumor fixture

Abrams has posted career-best numbers, including 14 homers, 49 RBIs, and a .380 on-base percentage, making him one of the league’s most productive shortstops. His name has surfaced in multiple trade scenarios, from the Dodgers’ prospect-heavy pitch to a Braves offer centered on Ozzie Albies and top prospects. Despite Washington’s surprising success, the persistent rumors underscore his high market value and the intrigue surrounding his future. ClutchPoints + 1

Of course, the last time the Dodgers offered prospects for stars from the Nats, Washington got skinned...and what is "ClutchPoints"? Nothing in MLBTR.

[zimm_da_kid]

gimme a lil cj for De Paula, river ryan, zach root, cam leiter, and patrick copen. Ryan could help the rotation instantly, de paula is raking at AA and could be up later this year for our playoff run, copen could be converted to relief and be up this year, root is a high floor mid rotation guy in a year or two, and leiter is a lotto who could be a reliever, starter, or nothing

[Natsinpwc]

gimme a lil cj for De Paula, river ryan, zach root, cam leiter, and patrick copen. Ryan could help the rotation instantly, de paula is raking at AA and could be up later this year for our playoff run, copen could be converted to relief and be up this year, root is a high floor mid rotation guy in a year or two, and leiter is a lotto who could be a reliever, starter, or nothing

Why would the Dodgers give up that much for CJ?  They have pitching issues because of injuries. They are second in the league in runs scored per game. Are you on drugs?

[tomterp]

From the 6/9 game thread - Abrams error at about 9:50

His error tally is now at 11... he's a great player but his defense is still lacking, maybe he should move to 2B as others here have suggested

I'm not disputing the big picture.  Do you think though he has more trade value as a SS?  Perhaps the Nats are hoping they can coach him up just enough on D to make him super attractive.   

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Why can't we just keep our good players?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

A statistical breakdown of CJ's errors suggests they almost exclusively happen on balls he moves in on.

A high concentration of his fielding errors are on balls he charges. He's something of a disaster at that. Otherwise, he mostly gets to the balls  he should and his arm is accurate enough not to cause consistent cringes.

Look at his statcast outs above  average fielding on baseball savant and how the general "he's bad range-wise" is  completely dominated by  fielding chances when he comes In. His lateral range is basically neutral as is his balls he goes back on.
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/cj-abrams-682928?stats=statcast-r-fielding-mlb

There's a graphical presentation of the data linked that lets you see where the errors are on the field by toggling among the 4 types of range classes:
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/statcast-infield-defense?type=Fielder&playerId=682928&startYear=2026&endYear=2026&result=&direction=&normalize=undefined&roles=&esrGT=0&esrLT=1&evGT=0&evLT=125&distGT=0&distLT=200&batside=&viz=intercept_fielder_starting_position_

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Why would the Dodgers give up that much for CJ?  They have pitching issues because of injuries. They are second in the league in runs scored per game. Are you on drugs?

read Welch's post right before ZDK's. About 4 sources say the LAD want him. Names like DePaula are floated in the stories. This sounds like the least like "only in the ZDK proposed trade thread  would this be thought of" thing that's been posted about CJ in while.

[Slateman]

A statistical breakdown of CJ's errors suggests they almost exclusively happen on balls he moves in on.

Sounds like he is better suited towards 3B

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Sounds like he is better suited towards 3B

he might be a disaster charging bunts

[Smithian]

Rumors that the Dodgers have offered three prospects for Abrams.

Of course, the last time the Dodgers offered prospects for stars from the Nats, Washington got skinned...and what is "ClutchPoints"? Nothing in MLBTR.

I don't think the Nats can trade another all star when we now have a winning record. I think you kill the clubhouse and what's left of the fan base if you do that. And as someone who has a deep belief playoffs are random, I too would struggled seeing the Nats lose a big piece come trade deadline if we're in the Wild Card picture.

But a top 10 prospect hitting in AA is an offer I wouldn't hang up on and would instead hear out.

[IanRubbish]

I don't think the Nats can trade another all star when we now have a winning record. I think you kill the clubhouse and what's left of the fan base if you do that. And as someone who has a deep belief playoffs are random, I too would struggled seeing the Nats lose a big piece come trade deadline if we're in the Wild Card picture.

But a top 10 prospect hitting in AA is an offer I wouldn't hang up on and would instead hear out.

Agree with the first part of your statement.  No other team anywhere near contention would consider trading away their second best hitter, especially when he's only in his arb1 year.  Second half of the season will be a big letdown as it has been the last few years if they do this. 

But that would help them maintain the franchise's non-COVID all-time low attendance average