The Kansas City Royals spiced up their offseason by handing third baseman Maikel Garcia a five-year contract extension with a club option for a sixth on Friday (per ESPN's Jeff Passan), but they'd be smart to keep making moves. For example, getting Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams would instantly upgrade their lineup.

The Royals are interested in the 25-year-old, per Passan.

"The Royals have been active on the trade market too, looking to acquire another outfielder," he reported. "They have discussed acquiring Jarren Duran from the Boston Red Sox and inquired about pitcher MacKenzie Gore and infielder CJ Abrams from the Washington Nationals, according to sources. Though the talks haven’t yielded a deal, the Royals’ efforts to improve on an 82-80 season are clear."

Kansas City already has franchise cornerstone Bobby Witt Jr. at short. but it could deploy Abrams at second base and move current second baseman Jonathan India to left field, where he also has experience. Abrams has notched a .700-plus OPS and 30-plus stolen bases in each of the last three seasons and was second on the Nationals with a 3.3 WAR in 2025.

Adding Abrams to the lineup would give the Royals another ascending player in their 20s along with Witt, Garcia, and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Witt has a career .844 OPS through four seasons, Garcia logged an .800 OPS in his breakout 2025 campaign, and Pasquantino was sixth in baseball with 113 RBIs last season.

Abrams would also be an upgrade over India at second base offensively. The latter player logged just a .669 OPS last season and has totaled 42 stolen bases over his five campaigns.

What would it take to get Abrams to Kansas City?

Royals could send Nationals prospects, cash

Washington is still rebuilding after six straight losing seasons, as the team hired a new front office and coaching staff over the last few weeks, per MLB.com. Developing prospects is paramount for clubs in that position, and the Royals have options to offer.

Kansas City may want to keep top prospect Carter Jensen, who notched a .941 OPS over 20 big-league games in 2025. However, nobody else in its farm system should be untouchable. Options include High-A catcher Blake Mitchell, Rookie League outfielder/second baseman Sean Gamble, and Rookie League third baseman Josh Hammond, via MLB.com.

The Royals could send the Nationals two of those players and cash considerations to sweeten the pot. That way, they'll upgrade their big-league club without giving up their best prospect.