There's a lot of uncertainty and competition for spots in the infield going into Spring training. It will only get more complex if CJ is traded for prospects. This excerpt from an MLBTR article on signing Sergio Alcantara (who also is in the competition) lays out the parade of bad choices:
There’s plenty of uncertainty in the Washington infield. CJ Abrams has been the club’s shortstop for a few years now but he has appeared in some recent trade rumors. Even if he’s not dealt before the beginning of the upcoming season, he would be a trade candidate at the summer deadline. The top shortstop options behind him are Tsung-Che Chung, Nasim Nuñez and José Tena, who haven’t done much to impress in the big leagues thus far.
There are also question marks at the other spots. Luis García Jr. has been the regular at the keystone but the Nats moved him to first base late last year. That will put more pressure on his bat, which has been subpar. Even if he plays well, he would be a midseason trade candidate like Abrams.
Nuñez may be the heir apparent at second base. Brady House hasn’t seized the third base job as hoped. Both of those two still have options. Andrés Chaparro is in the mix at the corners and also has options. Abimelec Ortiz, just acquired in the MacKenzie Gore trade, is another first base candidate with options. The Nats have former prospect Orelvis Martinez aboard as some non-roster depth, though he hasn’t played shortstop in a few years.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/nationals-to-sign-sergio-alcantara-to-minor-league-deal.htmlThat's 8 guys mentioned in addition to Alcantara and Abrams for 4 spots. Not mentioned is Yoyo Morales and I suppose Trey Lipscomb, too.
I think this breaks down to, in a rough pecking order:
1B: Garcia, Chaparro, Ortiz, Morales
2B: Nunez, Garcia, Tena, Martinez, Chung/Alcantara
SS: Abrams, Nunez, Chung, Alcantara, Tena
3B: House, Tena, Martinez, Chaparro
