The Washington Nationals made one trade, but two key pieces continue to draw interest around the league ahead of the trade deadline
The Washington Nationals pulled the trigger on the first trade ahead of the deadline after dealing third baseman Curtis Mead to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for left handed pitcher Connelly Early, adding much-need reinforcement to the rotation once he returns from the injured list. Yet the question has remained whether it marks the final trade by president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and the front office with others also drawing trade interest.
That includes shortstop CJ Abrams, who was mentioned as a trade target also by the Boston Red Sox. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Red Sox have their eyes on Abrams or Angels shortstop Zach Neto ahead of the deadline, becoming the latest team linked to the two-time All Star. A report over the weekend also pointed to both the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers as two interested suitors with his trade market heating back up.
Abrams also becomes the second National linked to Boston after first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. also drew trade interest.
After he became the team's first starter in the All Star game in nearly a decade, it's easy to see why Abrams has built the profile he has. After already leading the team in multiple offensive categories en route to a career year by the midseason break, Abrams has since followed it up with multi-hit games in five consecutive games to go with six home runs and 12 RBIs over his last six games. Abrams also owns a seven-game hit streak spanning prior to the All Star break, while he leads MLB with 82 RBIs this season with his 27 home runs ranked inside the top ten.
Even though the shortstop was also at the source of offseason trade rumors, a trade involving Abrams would undoubtedly serve as the biggest gut punch for a fanbase enjoying a Nationals' season that has surpassed expectations with the team sitting two games above .500 before hosting the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night.
Yet Abrams is one of three notable players to monitor alongside Garcia and left handed pitcher Foster Griffin, who picked up his MLB-leading 12th win on Saturday afternoon. The performance also came with scouts from both the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park to watch the All Star amid consistent trade interest over the last two months. While Griffin has remained mum about his future, a departure for the star pitcher currently on a one-year deal has trended as the most realistic even after slight hope he may avoid the trade market at one point.
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