San Francisco’s pursuit of a important upgrade at shortstop hit a snag, as the Giants made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire CJ Abrams from the Washington Nationals, according to reports. The Nationals, however, appear to be seeking a significant return for the 25-year-old infielder.
Giants’ Trade Pursuit and Washington’s demands
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The Giants explored a trade for CJ Abrams but faced high asking prices from the Nationals, who recently dealt MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers.
- The Giants were reportedly willing to include top shortstop prospect Joshua Gonzalez in a potential deal for Abrams.
- Washington recently traded MacKenzie Gore to the Rangers for a five-player package, suggesting they are open to moving players but wiht significant demands.
- Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo’s first-rounder, Gavin Fien, is reportedly seeking a greater return for Abrams.
The Washington Post reported the Nationals had been shopping Abrams, recognizing he is under arbitration control for three seasons, compared to Gore’s two.
Abrams’ Performance and Potential
Abrams has demonstrated offensive potential, hitting .252/.315/.433 with 39 home runs and 62 stolen bases over the past two seasons. However, his production tends to dip after the All-Star break. He’s an above-average regular with the potential to become an all-Star, a ceiling he hasn’t consistently reached.
Defensive Concerns and Positional Flexibility
While Abrams offers offensive upside, his defense is a concern. He’s among the weaker shortstops in Major League Baseball, trailing only Elly Dela cruz with 39 errors over the last two seasons, many stemming from throwing errors. Statcast data also doesn’t favor his range. Analysts suggest he might be a better fit at second base or even in center field. He’s currently playing shortstop for a Washington team that has struggled defensively across the infield.
Despite these drawbacks,Abrams’ age (25) and athleticism make him an appealing trade target. He’s a former sixth overall pick and top prospect who, at his best, can be a dynamic table-setter at the top of a lineup. The Giants likely would have shifted him to second base rather then playing him ahead of current shortstop Willy Adames.
Prospect Evaluation and Trade Dynamics
Gonzalez is currently ranked 30th by Baseball America and 44th by MLB Pipeline among top prospects. None of the players Washington received for Gore appeared on either list, suggesting the Nationals’ evaluators may have a higher opinion of Fien.Differing evaluations of prospects are common, especially for young players like Gonzalez, who has only 52 games of experience in the Dominican Summer League.
The Nationals’ higher valuation of Abrams compared to Gore is also likely due to his longer period of arbitration control. Reports indicate the Giants also discussed other prospects, including rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge, but were hesitant to part with their top talent. Bo Davidson and Jhonny Level, also ranked prospects, were also part of the conversation.
Abrams would have been a notable addition to a relatively quite offseason for San Francisco. The Giants have focused on adding pitching depth with the signings of Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser, but haven’t addressed their needs in the outfield or at second base. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported last week the Giants were actively seeking a second base upgrade via trade.
San Francisco has been linked to both Brendan Donovan and Nico Hoerner, but neither player has been traded yet. Donovan appears more likely to be moved, while the Cubs are reportedly reluctant to deal Hoerner. Abrams remains available, though it’s unclear if those teams will re-engage in negotiations.
