Hold up, sports fans, because the Nationals just dropped a bomb: shortstop CJ Abrams, who’s been tearing it up like crazy, isn’t going anywhere before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline. According to a source familiar with the Nationals’ thinking, Washington has zero plans to move Abrams unless some team comes in with an absolutely overwhelming, blow-you-away kind of offer. And let’s be real, that’s a tough ask with the deadline so close.
The Numbers Abrams Is Putting Up Are WILD
Seriously, this kid is having a career year at 25 years old. Abrams is slashing a ridiculous .294/.366/.565 with a mind-blowing .932 OPS. We’re talking 27 home runs, 67 runs scored, 82 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases. Eighty-two RBIs! That leads the *entire majors*, putting him ahead of even American League MVP frontrunner Yordan Alvarez. He also leads the National League in slugging percentage. This dude isn’t just good; he’s the most productive offensive shortstop in baseball right now. And he just made his second career All-Star appearance this month in his fifth MLB season. That’s a foundational piece, plain and simple.
Why the Nats Are Digging In Their Heels
It’s not just Abrams who’s playing better than expected. The Nationals, under lead executive Paul Toboni in his first season, are a rebuilding club, but they’re currently sitting at 55-53. Think about that: they’re just one game out of the National League’s final playoff spot, way better than anyone thought they’d be. Part of it is Abrams becoming a face of the franchise, a key piece of their rebuild alongside James Wood, both arriving in Washington as part of the Juan Soto trade. They’ve established a real connection with the fanbase. It’s also significant that both are Black players representing a team in a city with one of the nation’s largest Black populations. The Nationals know the sting of parting with homegrown stars; Bryce Harper left in 2018, and Juan Soto was dealt in 2022. A big-league general manager even chimed in, saying, “Those type of deals can be [very difficult] at this time. Every situation is different. But, generally, those deals are hard.”
So, for now, don’t expect to see Abrams wearing another uniform. Could an offseason trade still happen? Yeah, that remains a possibility. But with the clock ticking towards Monday’s deadline, it seems incredibly unlikely that Washington moves their scorching-hot, league-leading shortstop. They’re clearly looking at Abrams as a cornerstone, and the league better take notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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