Why the Blue Jays should make a play for Washington's young shortstop

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a busy offseason, but failing to sign Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette could spark them to swing for a big trade before spring training starts in a few weeks. Washington Nationals shortstop C.J. Abrams was recently named in Jim Bowden’s article, (subscription required) “Seven big names who could be traded before MLB Opening Day.”

The 25-year-old was an All-Star in 2024 when he hit 20 home runs and stole 31 bases, and would be a more appropriate offensive replacement for Bichette than incumbent Andrés Giménez. Many believe the Blue Jays could be done with their offseason additions after inking pitchers Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers, plus Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto. 

Fans would be fine with that if they signed either Tucker or Bichette. Once Tucker joined the Dodgers, and Bichette agreed to terms with the Mets, it felt like another move, particularly in the trade market, could be imminent. As things stand now, Giménez is the primary shortstop on the Blue Jays roster, with Ernie Clement an able fill-in when needed. 

The Blue Jays should make a play for C.J. Abrams

As solid defensively as those two are, neither fits the same offensive profile as Bichette. Okamoto, who is expected to receive the bulk of his playing time at third base, profiles well as a contact hitter with limited power, but there is no guarantee of his success at the major league level.

Trading for Abrams would immediately replace the negativity surrounding Bichette’s departure in free agency and give the team a shot in the arm heading into camp. Abrams is not the same player as Bichette, but he is three-plus years younger and has the kind of power-speed combo that would add to a dangerous lineup. Over the last three seasons, the 2019 first-round pick has averaged over 30 doubles, 30 steals, 19 homers, and 60 RBI, with a .736 OPS (105 OPS+)

Defensively, Abrams is below-average, which is statistically comparable to Bichette. Over the last three seasons, Abrams has posted a 2.4 dWAR, -38 Outs Above Average (OAA), and -12 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). In the same timeframe, Bo has a 1.0 dWAR, with -14 OAA, and -28 DRS. Abrams has the potential to improve his fielding and may be better suited at second base long term. 

Abrams would also give the Blue Jays another left-handed power hitter to go with Daulton Varsho, Addison Barger, and Anthony Santander, who is a switch-hitter. He’d also likely benefit from being part of a top-tier offense and could see an increase in production with better lineup protection. 

The former Georgia high school star also brings the kind of base-stealing threat the Blue Jays haven’t had on their roster for years. Abrams possesses the kind of base-running ability that can distract opposing pitchers, and we’ve seen how explosive Toronto’s hitters can be when that happens. 

Bowden’s article opines that any trade for Abrams will likely need to include major-league-ready players or prospects who are close to making their MLB debuts. 

It’s hard to envision this trade happening unless Giménez is involved. His value, coming off a season where he recorded a .598 OPS with two lengthy stints on the IL, isn’t exactly at its peak right now.  José Berrios is often mentioned in trade talks, but he is also coming off a disappointing campaign and comes with a steep price tag. 

The front office would have to make a competitive offer to the Nationals to get a trade like this done, so hypothetically, paying a percentage of Giménez’s and/or Berrios’ contract and throwing in an attractive prospect or two would be necessary. 

What if the Nats don’t shut down this type of offer, but ask for Clement instead? Or Barger? The Blue Jays have been careful but intentional about their roster building in recent years. They’ll have to weigh the advantages of featuring a high-contact attack with strong run prevention versus having one with a bit more swing-and-miss, some room to grow defensively, but with more pop and speed on the bases.