Washington Nationals star shortstop CJ Abrams was once again linked to the early MLB trade deadline market
After an off day, the Washington Nationals enter Friday night set to kick off a six-game west coast road trip, but they're also looking to shrug off the stench of a series sweep at home amid dropping back under .500. It was the type of result that took the wind out of a strong May that led to three being placed on the MLB Team of the Month.
For a team that has thus far outperformed preseason expectations, it's a swing that could move the needle on the front office's early thinking on the trade deadline.
“We'll figure out the deadline when we get there,” Toboni said last week when asked. “Until then, we're just trying to win as many games as possible.”
Yet roughly two months away, Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has found himself tied to the trade market once again after being among five players generating increased value this season by one outlet before being also tabbed as the best player potentially available on the roster.
The catch? The team's success. With a chance to remain competitive into the summer, the Nationals have a chance to quiet any noise about being a potentially seller approaching the deadline. Whether the front office opts to flip to becoming a buyer may take some convincing, especially under ownership and ahead of any potentially changes to the salary cap.
Abrams was among the players honored on the team of the month after a stellar May, though he's also among the players who are looking to put a disappointing series behind him against the Marlins. Yet there's reason to understand caution for a possible move for Abrams, who has two years of club control and enters the rest of the June slate with arguably his best market value as a National.
“I think internally, you have to understand what the makeup of the team is,” one AL executive told ESPN of the Nationals' deadline approach. “Just because it’s not on the timeline you thought, you can’t ignore it. Maybe you don’t go all-in, but you have to do something.”
Does that change if the Nationals return to Washington, DC with a losing record over the next six games? That may feel like more of a reaction than shift in mindset, but how the Nationals respond could begin to dictate just how seriously Paul Toboni pulls the trigger on a second trade involving one of the organization's top players.
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