The Washington Nationals are receiving significant trade interest in starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore and shortstop CJ Abrams during the 2025 Winter Meetings in Orlando. New president of baseball operations Paul Toboni has indicated openness to discussions but emphasized a high bar for any deals. Both players, acquired in the 2022 Juan Soto trade, are seen as key pieces for the team's future.
At the 2025 Winter Meetings, the Washington Nationals, under new leadership from president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, are actively listening to trade offers for left-hander MacKenzie Gore and shortstop CJ Abrams. Acquired three years ago in the blockbuster deal sending Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres, both players were envisioned as cornerstones for the franchise. However, with the Nationals coming off a 66-96 season, multiple executives anticipate movement, particularly for Gore, while viewing Abrams as a potential trade candidate.
Toboni addressed the buzz on Monday, stating, “I think it would just be kind of negligent to not entertain it. CJ or otherwise, we’ll have our ears open. And the worst that can happen is we say ‘no’ and we go back to having our regularly scheduled programming and go from there.” He noted the interest aligns with expectations given the talent on the roster, adding, “[I’m] not necessarily surprised, but I would say it’s just fit expectations. A lot of that is we have some really good players that teams are interested in.”
Gore, 26, enters his second arbitration year after earning $2.89 million in 2025. In his first All-Star campaign, he posted a 5-15 record with a 4.17 ERA over 30 starts and 159 2/3 innings, striking out 185 batters at a rate of 10.4 per nine innings. He famously fanned 13 Phillies on Opening Day. Interest in Gore spans more than half the league, including discussions with the New York Yankees, but Toboni set a firm threshold: “We're going to hold a really high bar... we’re probably going to want a player that can help us for years to come, or multiple players.” The Nationals have depth in starting pitching with Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker, and others, plus returns from injury like Josiah Gray.
Abrams, who turned 25 on October 3, is controlled through 2028 and faces his first arbitration this offseason, projected at $5.6 million for 2026. In 2025, he slashed .257/.315/.433 with a .748 OPS, hit 19 home runs, and stole 31 bases—his third straight 30-plus season—while succeeding on 91.2 percent of attempts, second in the National League. Toboni praised his “unbelievable contact ability” since high school and potential as a “super athlete” with developing power. Internal options like Nasim Nuñez or prospects Seaver King and Eli Willits could fill shortstop if dealt, though Toboni called decisions tricky: “We do have to be open-minded when other teams come our way and give strong offers... we stay disciplined.”
The Nationals recently traded closer Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners for catcher Harry Ford—their No. 2 prospect—and pitcher Isaac Lyon, signaling activity across avenues like free agency and the Rule 5 Draft. Toboni affirmed, “[Trades] will be one avenue, but one of a few... If we have an opportunity to be active and to upgrade the team, we’re going to do it.” With young stars like James Wood and Dylan Crews in place, the front office's willingness to move long-term assets suggests a potential roster overhaul.