Brewers Discussing Nationals Shortstop CJ Abrams In Deadline Deal

[Steve Drumwright]

 

After pursuing a trade for Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams in the offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers are checking in on him again as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches.

At least that is according to Spencer Nussbaum and Will Sammon of The Athletic in an article posted Saturday. Abrams is making $4.2 million this season and under club control for an additional two seasons.

Abrams, whose defense has been questioned but is in the midst of a terrific offensive year, would likely shift over to third base as the Brewers would value the defense provided by rookie Cooper Pratt at shortstop.

During the offseason, the Brewers were one of several teams to go after Abrams, but the Nationals' asking price was too high, according to The Athletic. At the time, Abrams was coming off a .257/.315/.433 slash line with 19 homers, 60 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 144 games.

But this year, the left-handed hitter has put up a slash line of .288/.361/.544 with 24 homers, 76 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 100 games entering play Saturday.

It also must be noted that Abrams caused a stir late in the 2024 season when he was out late at a Chicago-area casino, first being suspended by the Nationals and then demoted to the minors for the rest of the season.

Currently, the Brewers are riding with Joey Ortiz at third base after Pratt supplanted him as the starting shortstop. David Hamilton, just activated off the 10-day injured list, will also get time at third base. But Abrams would be an offensive upgrade at the hot corner, a position he has never played, even in the minors. Since being traded to the Nats in the Juan Soto deal with the San Diego Padres, the only position Abrams has played is shortstop.

 

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[Rick Daltons Flamethrower]

One plus one equals two. The possibility of the Brewers wanting to trade for this position seems outlandish. Not a position of need at this juncture with our pitchers hemorrhaging. Also the aspect of  Matt Arnold bringing  Brewer types of players into the clubhouse doesn't add up. Also his having "not so good" defense doesn't fit.  One plus one isn't adding up here for me to two. It just seems outlandish, crazy and way off target for where this club sits in 2026.

[rickh150]

2 hours ago, Rick Daltons Flamethrower said:

One plus one equals two. The possibility of the Brewers wanting to trade for this position seems outlandish. Not a position of need at this juncture with our pitchers hemorrhaging. Also the aspect of  Matt Arnold bringing  Brewer types of players into the clubhouse doesn't add up. Also his having "not so good" defense doesn't fit.  One plus one isn't adding up here for me to two. It just seems outlandish, crazy and way off target for where this club sits in 2026.

Bringing in an infielder with control doesn't make sense since we have umpteen guys coming up to play the infield positions soon.  But two of those guys ala Pena/Williams/Hamilton/Ortiz could be going back to Washington.

The whole lack of avg defense throws a dark red flag on this trade, though.  Unless we are thinking get a lead and replace with defense late.

I also think it could be Pratt at 3B, Turang at SS, and Made at 2B in 27 and 28 with Ortiz/Williams and orHamilton as backups. I still look at at TALL Pratt and see a 3B body. 

 

[pitchleague]

Could there possibly be a “trade for CJ Abram’s and then send him to Detroit to sweeten a deal for Skubal” ring to this?  Just a thought

 

[jay87shot]

Joey has been good recently but Abrams has been amazing. I think that what the org has done with Durbin and Hamilton defensively makes this possible. However I would guess the Nats will want a monstrous return. My guess would be 2 top 100 guys and at least 1 other strong piece if not 2. For me the upgrade from Joey to Abrams wouldnt be worth say Josh A., Sproat, Letson, and Hamilton or Crow. I would guess the Nats want lots of pitching.

I can see the interest but I think the price would be high and Arnold isn't going to want to give up mlb ready pitching depth.

[JoeyWiemerTruther]

Would cost an arm and a leg. Nats have little reason to trade him or Wood with the control they still have so Brewers would have to give up a lot. Maybe 4 players and 2 top 100

edit: Abrams only has 2 years control left thought he had more 

[igor67]

On the other hand this fits with the not trading for obvious candidates pattern

[wallus]

This is a guy I would trade Pena for. I mentioned Abrams earlier in the year. The Nats might want to trade him because he said no to extension talks.

[JoeyWiemerTruther]

13 minutes ago, wallus said:

This is a guy I would trade Pena for. I mentioned Abrams earlier in the year. The Nats might want to trade him because he said no to extension talks.

It might not be worth it if there’s no season in 2027. For that reason I’m not sure the Brewers make a splash like that

[wallus]

16 minutes ago, JoeyWiemerTruther said:

It might not be worth it if there’s no season in 2027. For that reason I’m not sure the Brewers make a splash like that

I would be shocked if there is no season next year.... Just way too much money that would be lost