The Washington Nationals, sitting at 35-34 and exceeding expectations in 2026, are evaluating whether to move shortstop CJ Abrams before the trade deadline.
The club has shown clear progress under first-year president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. Washington entered the weekend with a record better than .500 for much of the season, a marked improvement from 2025 when the team did not reach 40 wins until July 21.
Toboni emphasized team unity, stating that every member is "pulling on the same end of the rope." He described both Abrams and outfielder James Wood as foundational pieces, noting that the league views them as elite at their positions.
Abrams, 24, is batting .287/.378/.526 with 14 home runs. Rival evaluators see him as the more likely trade candidate due to defensive questions at shortstop. Potential suitors include the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals, though significant deals for controllable young talent remain uncommon at the deadline.
Wood, 23, has posted a .271/.407/.539 line with 18 home runs in 69 games and leads the NL with 56 walks. Toboni said the outfielder is maturing further as a hitter.