Report: Nationals Set Massive Asking Price For CJ Abrams
Murray wrote that “Abrams has been the subject of repeated trade interest from teams, but the Nationals have held onto the star slugger,” adding that “teams are expected to keep calling about Abrams, but Paul Toboni and the front office have set a very high asking price on their star infielder.”
Murray also said there’s skepticism Abrams will be traded, though “it’s easy to see a scenario where another team meets Toboni’s asking price,” and he didn’t name any teams or report active negotiations.
A Breakout Year Raised His Price
Abrams is 26 and hit .261/.336/.497 with 33 home runs, 106 RBI, and 34 steals in 40 attempts across 152 games this season.
The home run and RBI totals were both franchise records for a Nationals shortstop, and it was his second All-Star selection after 2024.
MLB players projected for the biggest raises in arbitration this year, per our projections by @CioffiBaseball: CJ Abrams: $4.2M ➡️ $10.6M ($6.4M) Brice Turang: $4.15M ➡️ $10.35M ($6.2M) Zach Neto: $4.15M ➡️ $10.30M ($6.15M) Gunnar Henderson: $8.5M ➡️ $14.6M ($6.1M) https://t.co/i86uNldGhk
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) October 19, 2026
He earned $4.2 million in arbitration this year and is under club control through 2028, which gives Washington leverage in any negotiation.
His position is part of the conversation, since Nationals manager Blake Butera said in August that Abrams would be the primary second baseman with Nasim Nunez moving to shortstop, and Murray wrote separately that some people believe Abrams’ long-term future is in the outfield.
Washington Has Held Firm Before
Teams were pushing “aggressively” on Abrams last offseason, according to The Athletic, but the Nationals kept him even after at least one strong offer.
Toboni and the front office have been consistent that they evaluate offers rather than shop their stars.
“I don’t know if CJ Abrams is a championship player, culture wise.” - @GrantPaulsen on 106.7 the fan #Natitude https://t.co/oJwc0eWIFu
— SleeperNationals (@SleeperNats) October 16, 2026
The Athletic reported before the July deadline that Washington wasn’t shopping Abrams but was willing to listen, and he stayed put even after the Nationals traded Luis Garcia Jr. to the Yankees on August 2.
Abrams’ and James Wood’s names have been floated in trade discussions, both hypothetical and legitimate, and Jim Bowden recently proposed a hypothetical package sending both to the Dodgers.
Murray’s piece was framed around which players could move before a lockout, with the CBA set to expire December 1.
