The Atlanta Braves thought they had next season’s shortstop locked in when they signed Ha-Seong Kim, but an offseason injury now threatens to sideline him for a significant portion of the year. Since Kim is on a one-year deal, he was never intended to be the long-term solution at shortstop, leaving the Braves with a hole they may need to fill before spring training.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield suggests a potential trade to bring in CJ Abrams from the Washington Nationals. In the proposed deal:
Nationals receive: LHP Cam Caminiti, RHP Didier Fuentes, IF Nacho Alvarez Jr.
Braves receive: SS CJ Abrams
A Georgia native, Abrams could be a natural fit in Atlanta. While not elite defensively, his offensive upside is enormous. Ranked as the No. 8 prospect in baseball in 2021, Abrams earned an All-Star nod in 2024 and has the potential to become a superstar.
The Nationals may be hesitant to send him to a division rival, but they appear open to rebuilding. Schoenfield notes, “Abrams has three seasons of team control left, which arguably makes him expendable for a Nationals team starting fresh. They’re not contenders this season or next, and keeping him longer would only decrease his trade value. In return, they receive two top-100 pitching prospects—Caminiti (No. 53) and Fuentes (No. 88)—helping a franchise that has struggled to develop pitching under the previous regime.”
Abrams posted 19 home runs last season with a .748 OPS and 31 stolen bases, a performance on par with his All-Star campaign in 2024. Joining a Braves lineup could ease the pressure on him and unlock his full potential.