The Washington Nationals reportedly explored a long-term deal with shortstop CJ Abrams years ago
CJ Abrams has been on a tear to start the 2026 regular season, carrying the torch as arguably the most consistent player for the Washington Nationals while doing it at or near the top of every major offensive statistical category.
Abrams has now notched a hit in seven consecutive games this season as he enters Friday's three game series against the San Francisco Giants hitting .371 with 19 RBIs and a 1.190 OPS - all ranked top five in baseball - while his six home runs ranked tied with several players for seventh most across MLB.
"I told him a couple days ago, 'hey, you should be an All Star this year.' And he's like, 'I know. That's my goal,'" Butera said about Abrams during spring training.
James Wood hasn't been far behind, picking up to remain a steady bat after a rough first week of the regular season, fueling the flames about whether the new Nationals front office should explore locking down one of the young stars for the future to give fans a chance to rally around one of the rising young stars. It turns out the Nationals already made efforts with one of its starters two seasons ago.
Andrew Golden of the Baltimore Banner reported on Friday that the Nationals explored a contract extension with Abrams back in 2024, but talks did not progress far while the offer is unknown. Ironically, that aligns with the season when Abrams made his first All Star appearance after he hit .246/.314/.433 with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games.
Yet that was under the old regime who has proven to be a step behind when it came to sound roster management decisions. With Paul Toboni now in place as president of baseball operations, could the Nationals make a statement with renewed talks?
Whether the new front office ends up exploring a contract extension at some point with either Wood or Abrams will be a growing question as the 2026 regular season progresses. Abrams, under contract on a $4.2 million salary this season, is arbitration eligible the next two offseasons before being eligible for free agency beginning in 2029.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are set to take on the San Francisco Giants for a three game series at home beginning Friday, facing the team that was linked to trade talks involving Abrams during the offseason before a flurry of reports poured in that teams were monitoring the star shortstop.