Nationals Podcast: Evaluating the CJ Abrams Offseason Question

On the next episode of the DC Roundtable Podcast hosted by Tyler Lochte and Ahmed Ghafir diving into the Washington Nationals, we break down the offseason question for star infielder CJ Abrams.

The spring training goal of becoming a two time All Star selection blossomed after Abrams notched career highs in multiple categories, while also notching his first career 30 home run, 30 stolen bases season in his career. Abrams wasn't the only one to do so after outfielder James Wood notched the feat, matching the pair of All Stars the fifth teammates in MLB history to record 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases -- and just the second to do it under 25 years old. Abrams also became the first Nationals player to start an All Star game since Bryce Harper did so in 2018, along with just the fifth in franchise history.

So why are there questions for him heading into the offseason?

The Nationals announced that Abrams was going to move from shortstop to second base during the second half of the regular season with Abrams ultimately making 14 appearances at the new position the rest of the way. Yet he also picked up his play while at shortstop after the move became public, showing signs that he can be the everyday shortstop the Nationals need defensively.

The question remains whether Abrams stays at shortstop or moves to second base in 2027 after manager Blake Butera left the door open to a decision being made after spring training -- whenever that materializes.

After Abrams posted a career season and cemented himself as a key piece of the Nationals' foundation with a waiting game on a finalized collective bargaining agreement before making any key offseason moves, another question remains whether the Nationals need to pull the trigger on a decision to extend him or evaluate potential trade interest that surfaced last offseason into the trade deadline.

With year one of the Blake Butera and Paul Toboni era officially complete and a chance for the offseason moves now able to address clear holes ahead of a hopeful 2027 season featuring elevated expectations, make sure you stay locked in on the DC Roundtable Podcast as we dive into everything you need to know through the winer. You can watch the full episode of the latest DC Roundtable Podcast on YouTube here.