The Washington Nationals plan to shake things up with a new front office inheriting a team that has finished last in the National League East for six consecutive seasons since winning the franchise's lone World Series title in 2019.
One player the Nationals are reportedly willing to trade is shortstop CJ Abrams. The Pittsburgh Pirates have at least some interest in dealing for the 25-year-old.
On one hand, Abrams would be a good fit for the Pirates. He would add power and speed to a lineup that finished last in the major leagues in runs scored this year.
On the other hand, the Pirates have the best prospect in baseball in 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin, who finished this past season in Double-A and will likely make his MLB debut in 2026. The Pirates certainly wouldn't block Griffin's path to the major leagues, which would necessitate a position switch for Abrams. However, the Pirates would find someplace to get Abrams' bat in the lineup.
It seems Abrams has been around forever, but he just turned 25 last month and won't be eligible for free agency until following the 2028 season. After being selected to the All-Star Game in 2024, Abrams hit .257/.315/.433 with 19 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 144 games this past season. If he were with the Pirates, he would have finished second on the team in homers and steals behind only Oneil Cruz.
Industry sources expect the new president of baseball operations, Paul Toboni, to have a high asking price for Abrams. The Nationals aim to bolster their pitching at both the major-league and minor-league levels, as well as enhance their catching.
So, what would it take for the Pirates to acquire Abrams? Multiple industry sources believe any offer would have to start with right-hander Seth Hernandez, the Pirates' first-round draft pick this year. Justin Horowitz was the Pirates' amateur scouting director until joining the Nationals last month as their assistant general manager.
While Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler are off limits, the Pirates would have to part with another of their young starting pitchers. That would likely be Braxton Ashcraft.
The Nationals would also want catcher Joey Bart. Even though Bart's production dipped this year, the Pirates would be gambling behind the plate by going with some combination of rookie Rafael Flores, light-hitting Henry Davis, and injury-plagued Endy Rodriguez.
Abrams is valued so highly by the Nationals that they would want a fourth player in the deal. Someone like third base prospect Jack Brannigan, whose stock has fallen the last two years and sustained a torn labrum in his right shoulder this year that required surgery while playing at Double-A Altoona.
The Pirates would be giving up a lot in this proposal, but they would be getting an exciting young hitter with upset. A tough decision would be facing Pirates GM Ben Cherington.