In the search for an impact bat this offseason, Boston Red Sox fans are going to be treated to a host of rumors connecting them to a lot of the major trade candidates. Some will be names that Red Sox Nation hears once or twice, and others will be names constantly connected to the team.
One name fresh off the hot stove that has been floating around with the Red Sox is Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams. The 26-year-old finally took the step forward everyone around the league expected would happen, having his first 30-home-run season (he had 33), while adding 34 stolen bases, and an OPS north of .800 for the first time as well. His 3.7 fWAR and 5.1 bWAR were also both career highs.
Unfortunately for the Nationals, he doesn't fit their timeline. He has two seasons left of team control, and the Nationals don't expect to compete by then. That's why there's a belief that he will be traded, and according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, the Red Sox are one of the teams interested (subscription required). Abrams would cost a steep price to pay for any team to trade for him, but the Red Sox should be able to do it without touching their top prospect.
Realistic trade proposal that would net CJ Abrams for the Red Sox following insider report
Red Sox acquire SS CJ Abrams from the Nationals for OF Justin Gonzalez (No. 2), RHP Sabdiel Delzine (No. 6), and INF Andruw Monasterio
The package would likely be centered around OF Justin Gonzalez, Boston's No. 2 prospect according to SoxProspects. At just 19 years old, he is a top 100 prospect in baseball who has already reached Double-A. He would fit Washington's timeline perfectly. Delzine, an 18-year-old, would give the Nationals a high-level pitching prospect. Monasterio would be the stopgap for losing Abrams until one of their top middle infield prospects (Eli Willits or Seaver King) is MLB-ready, which will likely be during next season.
Some fans may ask why the Sox would do this while they have Story on the roster, a full infield, and Franklin Arias on the way. That's because Abrams likely shifts to second. While the lefty took a step forward at the plate this season, he consistently grades as one of the worst defensive shortstops in baseball. Most assume a move to second would help to mitigate his negative defense.
Abrams would bring 30-30 potential to the Sox lineup. He would be a perfect middle of the order bat to pair with Willson Contreras, Adley Rutschman and Roman Anthony next season. Trading away two top prospects when the farm system has already been torn down by trades is harsh, but that's what needs to happen when there are championship aspirations.
The Red Sox need to make a splash this offseason to upgrade the offense, and the infield is in the place to do it. Abrams would be the perfect fit for Boston's lineup, and he has the same timeline as other players on the roster. It feels like a no-brainer, especially if you don't need to use Arias to do it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google