Nationals to End Season Without All-Star Shortstop CJ Abrams
The Washington Nationals will finish their final eight games of the season minus their All-Star shortstop, CJ Abrams. The news of Abrams' demotion to the minors, which took place this past Saturday, has sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts alike.
The Nationals, who have secured a losing record for the fifth consecutive year since their triumphant 2019 World Series campaign, emphasized that Abrams' move was not performance-related. Manager Davey Martinez and General Manager Mike Rizzo both echoed this sentiment.
"He was optioned to Triple-A, like a lot of players are. I'm just going to tell you what we've said in the media before, is that it was not performance-based. We felt it was in the best interest of the player and the organization to do so. It's an internal issue that we're going to keep internal," Rizzo explained.
Abrams' performance on the field this season has been solid, finishing with a .246/.314/.433 batting line, 20 home runs, and 31 stolen bases. Despite these robust statistics, the Nationals' leading player in terms of Wins Above Replacement (WAR) — with a 3.4 WAR — will not be participating in the season's finale. Notably, the demotion will result in an approximate $36,000 loss in salary for Abrams.
Nasim Nuñez Steps In
With Abrams out, the team has turned to Nasim Nuñez to fill the crucial shortstop role. The Nationals are keen on maintaining a certain standard within the team, one which Rizzo emphasized in his remarks.
"We have a standard here with the Nationals. When players don't reach those standards, we have to do what's in the best interest of the organization. But often, these things are done with the best interest of the player involved," Rizzo stated.
The decision to demote Abrams has been surrounded by speculation, but Rizzo clarifies that it's a matter internal to the team's dynamics and standards.
"It's a family matter that we keep in the family. Suffice to say, it's not the end of the world for CJ. It's not the end of the world for the Nationals. It's something that happens over the course of time, especially with young players. And we love CJ. We care for CJ. We're in constant communication with he and his agent," added Rizzo.
No Impact on Future Eligibility
There are no service-time ramifications tied to Abrams' demotion. Having accrued enough days on the MLB roster this season, Abrams has secured a full year of service time. As a result, his eligibility for arbitration and free agency remains unaffected, which provides some consolation to both the player and the organization.
"It's part of the process, especially on young rebuilding teams that these things happen. It's not the first time we've done it here with the Nationals, and probably, unfortunately, won’t be the last," Rizzo noted.
This season has been yet another challenging chapter for the Nationals. The team's front office, however, remains focused on their long-term rebuilding strategy. The demotion of a key player like Abrams underscores the complexities and tough decisions that often accompany the growth and development of young athletes in Major League Baseball.
As the Nationals prepare to close out another tough season, the focus will likely remain on adhering to internal standards and ensuring that players are positioned to grow both on and off the field. Whether this moves pays off in the coming seasons remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the organization is steadfast in its commitment to building a strong, cohesive team.