Before the 2026 season has even begun, the Atlanta Braves have been hit hard with injuries in spring training and before. With Ha-Seong Kim, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep all sidelined to start the year, Atlanta could use some reinforcements ahead of the regular season.
Would Alex Anthopoulos consider making a big trade? It seems pretty clear that the Braves’ GM, who was once adamant about adding to this roster via free agency, is unlikely to open up the checkbook for a free agent at this point. However, there are some names, like Nationals’ CJ Abrams, who might be available via trade.
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Should the Braves trade for CJ Abrams?
The rumors surrounding CJ Abrams being moved before the season is starting to gain some traction. Will they actually? That is going to be up to the Nationals’ upper-level front office personnel, but Abrams’ market is thought to be vast, and the Atlanta Braves should be one of those teams in the mix.
CJ Abrams is still an arbitration-eligible player, and his production over the past two seasons speaks for itself.
In 2025, he hit .257 with 19 home runs, 60 RBI, and 149 hits. The year prior, Abrams hit 20 home runs, and since 2023, here is his bWAR by season: 2023: 3.5, 2024: 3.4, 2025: 3.4.
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That is the type of production Atlanta needs up in the middle from a power perspective. It took Atlanta more than 140 games last year to get a home run out of a shortstop on their roster, and it was Kim, who was picked up in August. Abreams was named to the All-Star team in 2024, but had a nearly identical ’25 campaign in terms of offensive production.
Atlanta traded for Mauricio Dubon, who seems to be the starter at this moment, but Dubon might also be more valuable to the Braves in a utility role.
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What Would the Braves Have to Give Up to Acquire Abrams?
This is the next question surrounding this hypothetical trade pitch: What would the Braves have to give up to make a trade with their division rival?
The Washington Nationals are in another rebuild, so they will likely be looking for young players or prospects.
Atlanta doesn’t exactly have the best farm system, but they could offer Nacho Alvarez Jr., who has some big-league experience under his belt, and then maybe a prospect or two to make a deal work.
CJ Abrams comes with a few seasons of team control, which drives up the price a little bit, but the Nationals still seem willing to at least listen to offers.
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