Nationals' CJ Abrams on MLB trade deadline bubble

CJ Abrams is likely not leaving the Washington Nationals anytime soon, especially before the 2026 MLB trade deadline. The power-hitting sportstop was available last winter, but none of the other 29 teams made a serious offer. 

What could have been.

Abrams put on an early home run derby of his own Tuesday night, connecting on two, two-run home runs in the opening three innings against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. With his second homer off Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen, Abrams connected on four round-trippers in a span of eight at-bats.

Fueling one of the league's top offenses, Abrams continues to emerge as a bona fide middle-of-the-order hitter, entering Tuesday with career-highs in homers (22) and RBI (72).

Powered by the high-scoring offense, the Nationals (51-50, entering Tuesday) are bidding to finish above .500 for the first time since 2019. They led the big leagues in team homers (147), RBI (526), runs (552) and stolen bases (111).

Why would Nationals general manager Ani Kilambi take a chance and break up a surging lineup?

SS CJ Abrams cleaning up for Nationals

The Nationals' front office thought about moving on from Abrams last winter and some league insiders retain a belief that the fifth-year big leaguer could stay on the trade deadline bubble over the next two weeks.

Will he?

Or has the 25-year-old developed into a roser cornerstone?

An affordable one, too.

Playing on a one-year, $4.2 million deal, Abrams will be arbitration eligible in 2027 and '28 before becoming a free agent in '29, during his age-28 campaign.

More: SP Joe Ryan, on MLB trade bubble, yields six homers, most Twins history

The 2019 No. 6 overall draft pick was initially traded by the San Diego Padres, along with record-setting leadoff hitter James Wood, in the 2022 eight-player deadline deal headlined by Juan Soto going to the Padres.

Over the opening three months, Abrams appeared to be headed for a breakout campaign. He became one of just four shortstops in MLB history to collect at least 14 home runs, 50 RBI, and 10 stolen bases through the opening 70 games, joining Fernando Tatís Jr. (2021 Padres), Alex Rodriguez (1998 Seattle Mariners), and Nomar Garciaparra (1999 Boston Red Sox).

Abrams could have been acquired by any of the MLB's other 29 teams last offseason. What could have been.

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