Nationals Weigh Trading Star Shortstop Abrams to Accelerate Rebuild

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The Washington Nationals, coming off a disappointing stretch since their 2019 World Series title, are considering trading star shortstop CJ Abrams as part of a broader organizational rebuild under new leadership. Team president Paul Toboni and GM Ani Kilambi have already made one major trade, sending pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers, and are now weighing whether to move the 25-year-old Abrams for a significant prospect package that could help restock the Nationals' farm system.

Why it matters

The Nationals are in the midst of a reset after years of contention, and trading Abrams, a former top prospect, could be a pivotal move to accelerate their rebuild. While Abrams is a rising star, the team may feel they can maximize his value now before he reaches his prime, allowing them to add multiple high-upside prospects to their system.

The details

Abrams, the 6th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, has shown flashes of his potential in his first two seasons in the majors. However, the Nationals' new leadership team, led by Toboni and Kilambi, are weighing whether to move the shortstop for a significant prospect package that could help restock their farm system. The team has already made one major trade, sending pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Rangers, and an Abrams deal could be the next step in their rebuild.

• The Nationals hired Toboni as their new president of baseball operations and Kilambi as their new GM in the offseason.
• The team traded pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers earlier this offseason.
• Pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training in the coming days.

What’s next

The Nationals will need to decide whether to trade Abrams before pitchers and catchers report to spring training in the coming days.