The Nats' roster uncertainty starts with CJ Abrams. Fix him or deal him?

"On Tuesday, at his first news conference at MLB's winter meetings, Washington's skipper raved about his 25-year-old shortstop, adding that he has been open to the team's help and direction. "If you want to play this game for a long time and play the game at shortstop - with how good you are and how talented you are, you can make a lot of money and play this game for a really long time if you just stick at shortstop," Butera said."

"Abrams, an above-average offensive shortstop, has struggled defensively since joining the Nationals. Since 2022, Abrams has 45 outs below average and negative 34 runs prevented - both the worst in baseball among qualified shortstops. But despite Abrams's inconsistencies, Butera believes he can unlock the player's defense - and keep him at short. Abrams's Washington future could be a bit murky. Washington is shopping Abrams, along with left-hander MacKenzie Gore, at these winter meetings, though, the asking price is believed to be high."

"The Nationals value Abrams so highly in large part because the strong first halves of each of the past two seasons (27 homers combined) have offered a proof of concept of what his ceiling could be. Abrams, who has three years of club control remaining, has hit at least 18 homers in each of the past three seasons and has shown a strong arm and range to make difficult plays in the field."

Blake Butera and his coaching staff have begun working with 25-year-old CJ Abrams with an emphasis on defensive improvement. Abrams has been an above-average offensive shortstop but has struggled defensively since joining the Nationals, recording 45 outs below average and negative 34 runs prevented since 2022, the worst among qualified shortstops. Butera believes targeted coaching can unlock Abrams's defense and preserve his role at shortstop, which could extend his career and increase earnings. The Nationals are exploring trades for Abrams and MacKenzie Gore at the winter meetings, though the asking price is expected to be high, and some evaluators suggest a position change.

Read at The Washington Post