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Braves Predicted to Trade for $4M Highly Athletic NL East Rival, All-Star, Former First Round Pick
Atlanta may look to shore up shortstop with a deal for Washington's CJ Abrams.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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The Atlanta Braves are facing a shortstop shortage after recent signee Ha-Seong Kim suffered a torn tendon in his right middle finger, sidelining him for 4-5 months. With utility players Mauricio Dubon and Jorge Mateo as the current options, the Braves may look to trade for Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, a former first-round pick who is an athletic, impactful bat that could provide stability at the position.
Why it matters
The Braves have struggled to fill the shortstop position since the departure of Dansby Swanson, and adding a talented player like Abrams could provide a long-term solution. Abrams is affordable and under team control, making him an attractive trade target for the Braves as they look to shore up the roster and contend in the NL East.
The details
Abrams, a former first-round pick, has multiple years remaining on his contract and would be relatively affordable before reaching arbitration. The Braves have dealt with inconsistencies at shortstop, and while Abrams may not be the elite defender Atlanta typically prefers, he does bring an impactful bat - something the Braves have been lacking at the position.
- Ha-Seong Kim is expected to be sidelined 4-5 months after having surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger.
- Kim suffered the injury in Korea and had the procedure on Sunday in Atlanta.
The players
Ha-Seong Kim
A shortstop for the Atlanta Braves who recently signed a one-year, $20 million contract but suffered a torn tendon in his right middle finger that will sideline him for 4-5 months.
CJ Abrams
A shortstop for the Washington Nationals who is a former first-round pick and could be a trade target for the Braves as they look to shore up the position.
Mauricio Dubon
A utility player for the Atlanta Braves who is currently one of the options to fill in at shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim is injured.
Jorge Mateo
A utility player for the Atlanta Braves who is currently one of the options to fill in at shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim is injured.
Dansby Swanson
The former shortstop for the Atlanta Braves who left the team to sign with the Chicago Cubs in the offseason.
What they’re saying
“Intradivision trades of this magnitude are rare, so the Braves would have to be desperate to add a shortstop. But they might be desperate. After signing Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract, Kim slipped on ice while home in Korea and tore a tendon in his right middle finger, leaving him out until June or so.”
— David Schoenfield, ESPN writer (ESPN)
What’s next
The Braves will have to decide if they are willing to pay the price to acquire CJ Abrams from the Nationals in order to shore up the shortstop position while Ha-Seong Kim is sidelined.
The takeaway
The Braves' shortstop situation has become a pressing need after the injury to Ha-Seong Kim, and a trade for the athletic and impactful CJ Abrams could provide a long-term solution at a key position as the team looks to contend in the NL East.
