Nationals star CJ Abrams on trade rumors: "stay where your feet are"

The Washington Nationals enter the final game before the lone break of spring training with a third game against the Houston Astros for already the third time in spring training with the youngest roster in baseball still looking to separate.

Except for CJ Abrams, who already entered spring training as one of the headliners alongside James Wood, two of a group of promising players for a Nationals team looking to outperform bearish preseason outlooks.

Ahead of Monday's game against the Houston Astros, Abrams was one of nine players to draw ten or more at bats this spring as the 25 year old has notched a pair of hits, including one double and RBI in the win against the Astros to open spring training. He also got on base in both at bats against the Astros thanks to one single and one walk before going hitless in Sunday's deflating loss against the Marlins, but Abrams also enters 2026 looking for consistency on and off the field.

On the field, Abrams is looking to put a complete season together after dominating through the first half with 12 home runs, 20 stolen bases and a .287/.351/.489 slash line ahead of the All-Star break. Those numbers drastically tailed off in the second half of the season, though.

Off the field, Abrams is looking to avoid the noise.

The Nationals shortstop found himself in the midst of potential trade discussions after a report that the San Francisco Giants made an aggressive run this offseason before negotiations fizzled due to Washington's asking price. That talk picked up right after the team traded MacKenzie Gore, signaling a possible sign that the Nationals could be looking at the next piece to unwind as president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and the revamped front office look to infuse the farm system with talent.

That marked the start of the rumor mill for Abrams with some reports pointing to Abrams as being shopped - something Toboni later refuted - and others noting teams of interest with all types of mock trades suggested. But in the life of control the controllables, Abrams is trying to do exactly that as he looks to re-join James Wood in All Star status.

"Just stay where your feet are. Whatever happens, happens," Abrams told MLB Network of the reported trade interest this offseason. "Just got to take care of, like you said, the task at hand and just stay where your feet are in the present."

MLB Trade Rumors noted that the team isn't "hanging up the phone to any offers, but they'll need a lot more to move him now," consistent with the feedback prior to the MacKenzie Gore trade and echoing what Toboni said during the event for season ticket holders last month.

Abrams was first named an All Star back in 2024 when he posted 15 home runs, 21 doubles and 48 RBIs while slashing .268/.343/.489. The former Padres infielder has aspirations to be named consistently among the best shortstops in baseball ahead of 2026.

"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 ahead of spring training.

The Nationals now sit at 5-3-2 in spring training and have won just one of their last five games with three of those matchups coming against divisional opponents.