Nationals get expected trade prediction from MLB execs on CJ Abrams

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Nationals get expected trade prediction from MLB execs on CJ Abrams originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Washington Nationals are not one of the top teams in baseball this year, but they are still ahead of the New York Mets, who are off to a terrible start to the season.

But, while the Mets might not trade away their players come the deadline as they believe they can still contend, the Nationals likely will be open to dealing from their MLB roster for more prospects.

That's why MLB.com's Mark Feinsand's poll of 20 MLB executives that revealed CJ Abrams was once again one of the top-three most popular trade deadline candidates this year was hardly a surprise. Abrams being on the trade block is what's expected.

CJ Abrams voted as 2nd most popular trade candidate​

In Feinsand's poll of 20 MLB executives, Abrams, the Nationals shortstop who was in trade rumors this past offseason, received three votes, tied with Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan and one behind Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara for top trade candidates this year.

Abrams is sure to draw plenty of interest from teams in the trade market, especially for clubs eyeing offensive help for their infield. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, but his offensive upside more than makes up for it.

Feinsand shared that an NL executive said, "His defense isn't great, but it's probably better than the metrics suggest. If he keeps hitting the way he has this year, the bat could make up for any defensive deficiencies."

Abrams' defense isn't great, but offensively, he's hitting .288 on the season with eight home runs and 32 total hits in 111 at-bats. His .941 OPS is elite, and by far the best he's looked offensively.

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The Nationals should be looking to trade Abrams this season, especially if they're worried about the shortstop's consistency offensively. He has a career 106 OPS+, which is a stark difference from his 165 OPS+ this year.

If a team is willing to spend a bit and buy into Abrams' offensive production this season, being real, the Nationals can land a strong haul for someone who might not be in their long-term plans.

He was mentioned in trade talks last year, and especially over the offseason. His offensive output this season is great news for the Nationals, as their return for the 25-year-old All-Star should be fairly strong if they do move him this year.

MLB executives voted him as the second-most popular trade candidate, as three out of 20 execs believe that Abrams will be the biggest name moved at the deadline this year.

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