Nationals to move All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base

NEW YORK — Before Nationals manager Blake Butera fielded questions from the media, he had an announcement: CJ Abrams was beginning the process of becoming the team’s second baseman. Once he’s comfortable, he’ll begin playing games there.

Nasim Nuñez will then become the everyday shortstop.

Abrams started Friday’s game at shortstop. Butera said the acclimation process will likely take days, not weeks. Third-base coach Victor Estévez, field coordinator Tyler Smarslok and bench coach Michael Johns will oversee Abrams’ transition.

“CJ spent the majority of his career at shortstop and all of his time with the Nationals there, so understand this is not an easy decision, not an easy conversation,” Butera said. “But ultimately felt like this was the best thing for the team going forward. That’s not to say that CJ won’t play any more shortstop; he’ll still get over at shortstop, but we are going to introduce second base to him.”

Abrams was subdued, not frustrated, as he talked with the media. As he fielded questions, he repeatedly slapped his fist into his glove as a way to deal with the nerves. He started the All-Star Game a month ago as the National League’s shortstop, a first in Nationals history. But for as dangerous as Abrams is offensively — he leads major-league shortstops in homers (29) and RBIs (90) — he’s a detriment defensively, he leads the majors in errors (19).

Butera said Abrams handled it like a pro. Butera, president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and general manager Anirudh Kilambi had conversations with Abrams to emphasize that the move is in the best interest of the team. The triumvirate thought about the decision for some time, and over the past week they included Abrams in their thinking.​

There’s not an ideal time for this transition. Shortstops are prideful. They take honor in posting for their teams nightly. It’s similar to quarterbacks in football. You don’t just play shortstop; you are a shortstop. It encompasses a player’s baseball identity. Abrams hasn’t processed how the move affects him, choosing to stay in the present.

“I stay where my feet are,” Abrams said. “I don’t really think about stuff that’s not happening right now.”

Does Abrams believe he’s a long-term shortstop?

“I do,” he replied.

Why?

“That’s just where I’ve been playing my whole life,” he said. “I believe I can be a great shortstop.”

That’s the conundrum that makes this a seismic decision for the Nationals. For starters, Abrams, who will be a free agent after the 2028 season, would prefer to play the more premium defensive position. Technically, the largest second base contract belongs to Xander Bogaerts, who signed his 11-year, $280 million deal with the San Diego Padres in 2022 as a shortstop before shifting to second.

Marcus Semien’s seven-year, $175 million contract is second in terms of value, followed by Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner’s six-year, $141 million deal.

How much is the highest-paid shortstop making? The Mets’ Francisco Lindor signed a 10-year, $341 million contract. Shortstops make more money because they play a more valuable defensive position in the eyes of people throughout the game. Playing a viable shortstop also would’ve made Abrams a more enticing trade candidate.

But those aforementioned players are also much better defenders than Abrams. Though he said he’s made strides in consistency this season, he hasn’t graded well. Abrams is the sixth-worst defender according to FanGraphs’ defensive runs saved (minus-5).

He’s the worst defensive shortstop in the majors, according to Statcast’s outs above average (minus-17), a metric that measures a player’s range.

Nuñez, over 109 innings at shortstop this season, has posted a plus-1 defensive runs saved and a minus-3 in OAA. But he graded positively in 2024 (plus-2) and 2025 (plus-3).

Butera said he believes there’s a small gap in value between the two positions.

“That’s just me, personally,” Butera said. “I think, if you asked five different people, you’d probably get five different answers. If CJ plays a good second base and Nas plays a great shortstop, we’re a better team, right?”

There’s no guarantee that Abrams will be a good second baseman. He’s played just 13 games (six starts) at the position in his career — all with the Padres.

Butera said Abrams’ ability to secure balls hit at him will translate to second and that he won’t have to make those plays where he’s ranging to his right and having to throw across his body.

“I think he’s going to be able to do a really good job of that at second base because it’s a little bit short of a throw,” Butera said. “And I think that also the pivot at second base when he’s turned double plays is going to be really good as well because he’s actually gotten some reps in doing that with the shifts, especially when a left-handed hitter’s up to bat when it’s a ground ball at third base. He’s turning that like a second baseman would, so he’s already shown some ability to do that.”

But this is more than a position change. This is a case of two parties with competing interests. It’s undoubtedly true that the Nationals are a better team with Abrams not playing shortstop. But it’s in Abrams’ best interest to play there to maximize his earning potential when he enters free agency.