Why Nationals might still trade CJ Abrams after keeping him through 2026 deadline

The Washington Nationals sold at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, shipping out Foster Griffin and Luis Garcia Jr. in two significant deals.

But, they held onto CJ Abrams despite plenty of trade rumors around the shortstop dating back to last offseason. By keeping Abrams, the shortstop could be in their long-term plans.

However, as Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter highlighted, there is a chance that the Nationals will trade Abrams this offseason. The reason why that could happen? If there is no extension with the star shortstop ahead of the 2027 MLB season.

Why Nationals could trade CJ Abrams still after no mid-season deal

"If the Nationals front office does not believe there is a realistic path to keeping Abrams around beyond 2028, flipping him this winter could be a major step toward building a future contender," Reuter writes.

This makes a lot of sense, as while the Nationals kept him through the deadline, rebuffing all trade offers, a deal in the offseason should still be in play for the Nationals.

They were entertaining offers for a reason in the first place. The Nationals know there is a real chance that Abrams won't sign an extension, and either seek out a larger deal or want to hit free agency and have a chance of making more on the open market.

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If the Nationals cannot agree to terms on a long-term deal with Abrams, or the prospects of such an extension look slim, trading him makes a whole lot of sense for the Nationals.

A two-time All-Star with 4.4 bWAR in 2026 in Abrams would surely fetch a high price in a trade. He's under club control through the 2028 season, so they have plenty of time to work out a contract or a trade.

Abrams is one of the key players they got in the Juan Soto trade, and the Nationals already shipped out MacKenzie Gore.

Abrams might be next, with there being a real chance the shortstop is on the move in the near future, even after surviving the deadline this year.

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