Yankees' Popular Trade Idea Has Become Nearly Impossible

The New York Yankees definitely need to add some reinforcements before the MLB trade deadline, with catcher and the bullpen representing their two primary needs.

However, the Yankees should be looking for upgrades everywhere, and that could potentially include the shortstop position.

Anthony Volpe owns a .668 OPS over 158 plate appearances this season, and Jose Caballero is far more valuable in a super-utility role.

Of course, good shortstops don't grow on trees, so New York can't just magically find an answer. But fans and media pundits have long identified a potential solution for the Yankees: Washington Nationals star CJ Abrams.

Abrams just made his second All-Star appearance courtesy of slashing .275/.352/.510 with 20 home runs and 67 RBI this year. He has also stolen 15 bases.

But would the Nationals consider moving Abrams?

The former first-round pick — who was acquired by Washington from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade back in August 2022 — is under team control through 2028, so the Nationals not have to be in any rush to trade him.

Additionally, Washington is a respectable 48-49 and is still very much in the National League Wild Card race, so the Nats may not be so quick to give up on the season.

Now, if the Nationals slide before Aug. 3, things could change. But even then, would they part ways with Abrams, who is just 25 years old?

If New York wants Abrams, it is going to have to pay through the nose, and I'm not sure that's advisable when you take everything into consideration.

Yes, Abrams has been terrific this season, but he owns a lifetime .739 OPS since entering the big leagues in 2022. Is it possible that he finally broke out this year? Yes, but it's also plausible to think he could regress in 2027 — or here in the second half.

Not only that, but Abrams is one of the worst defensive shortstops in all of baseball. He owns a minus-6 DRS and a minus-11 OAA in 2026, which are actually identical numbers to what he posted last year. At least he's consistent.

Do the Yankees really want a poor defensive shortstop? And let's also remember that New York has top prospect George Lombard Jr. on the come up in the minor leagues.

In theory, the Yanks could move Abrams to second base once Jazz Chisholm departs this offseason and then make Lombard the starting shortstop next spring. But you also have to figure that the Nationals would demand Lombard back in an Abrams trade.

Abrams' value has increased dramatically this season because of his offense, and it has made him nearly an impossible trade target for a Yankees squad that really shouldn't surrender that much for his services.

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