While the Washington Nationals aren’t expected to move prized shortstop CJ Abrams, the Milwaukee Brewers are one of two teams expressing interest.
Abrams, 25, is still under team control through 2029. If the Brewers are in win-now mode, there’s no reason not to explore a lengthy extension, or at the very least go through the arbitration process in 2027 and 2028.
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The Athletic’s Spencer Nusbaum confirmed the New York Yankees may be in the mix as well, but again, he points out that the Nationals “aren’t shopping CJ Abrams but will at least listen to offers.”
Brewers fans might wonder what would happen to guys like Cooper Pratt, Joey Ortiz, and David Hamilton if a move like this were to be made, but if there’s a generational player out there with a team-friendly contract, you stop at nothing to go out and get them.
Abrams has been on an absolute heater, and he already has set a Nationals franchise record this season with 27 home runs by a shortstop.
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The Georgia native has seven homers in his last seven games. There are quite a few Brewers players who haven’t even hit seven home runs this season, so to bring in that type of power is something that can’t be overlooked.
Remember, this is a guy who’s only making $4.2 million this season. At the time of this writing, the Nationals are third place in the National League East. They’re in a tight battle to avoid falling to fourth, but their 53-52 record still puts them 8.5 games back in the division.
Obviously, the Brewers are in good shape with their six-game lead in the National League Central. Even if the Nationals weren’t to move on from Abrams this season, there’s a shot they do in the next year or two, and that could also give the Brewers a time to strike.
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If a deal were to be made, including a guy like Ortiz or Hamilton may be required. The Nationals would undoubtedly be interested in Brewers’ top prospects Jesus Made and Luis Pena, both of whom just so happen to be shortstops.
Cutting a deal that includes either of those is extremely risky, but Abrams could be the Brewers’ missing piece to a World Series. He brings a lot to the table defensively, but more importantly, he’d provide a power boost that tops Pratt, Ortiz, and Hamilton combined.
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