Brewers reportedly showing repeated trade interest in Nationals' All-Star shortstop

Major League Baseball's trade season has officially arrived. With just over one week remaining until the August 3 trade deadline, the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox kick-started the anticipated frenzy of deals by making a rare 1-for-1 swap last night. Boston sent left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead, who is in the midst of a breakout season. Despite being a unique trade, the swap of major league talent officially goes down as the first "deadline deal" of 2026, and understandably has fans wondering when their respective teams will get in on the action.

The combination of the Milwaukee Brewers having the second-best record in baseball, the top-ranked farm system in the sport, and a recent report that their front office is prepared to take a more aggressive approach at the deadline this year, has fans of the Brew Crew expecting a major addition ahead of next week's trade deadline. Names like Tarik Skubal, one of the best starting pitchers in today's game, and Mason Miller, perhaps the best closer in MLB, have been thrown around, and while it's unlikely the Brewers end up swinging a deal for either, they certainly have the prospect capital to do so should the front office decide that this is the year in which they want to go "all in."

While an addition to Milwaukee's pitching staff seems like the more obvious need at the moment, Brewers fans can add a position player to their wish list after a recent report confirmed that Matt Arnold and company are at least interested in Washington Nationals All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams. Spencer Nusbaum and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported yesterday that, "The Brewers were one team that balked at the Nationals’ high asking price on Abrams over the winter," and that they "are expected to explore the possibility again soon, according to people briefed on their thinking."

Though not a typical Brewers' trade target, CJ Abrams would be a huge addition to Milwaukee's offense

First off, the language used in the report from The Athletic is important. The Brewers "check in" on just about every player who may be available either in the offseason or at the trade deadline, so the fact that they asked the Nationals about Abrams this past winter, only to be blown away by their asking price, shouldn't come as a surprise. That said, the fact that they are open to exploring the possibility again at the trade deadline, knowing what Washington was asking for during the offseason, means the Brewers are legitimately ready to be more aggressive at the deadline and possibly part with some of their coveted prospect capital.

Should an Abrams trade materialize for the right price, which would almost certainly include one of the Brewers' MLB-ready arms in addition to one of their Top 100 prospects, Milwaukee's repeated interest could lead the front office to swing a deal for the All-Star shortstop. However, while Abrams has played shortstop throughout his career, it's almost guaranteed that the Brewers would switch him over to third base given his shaky defense. Abrams has -4 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -11 Outs Above Average (OAA) this year, the latter of which would be the worst on the Brewers' roster. His worse OAA, which is a range-based metric, indicates that a switch to third base, where range matters less, could improve his defensive value slightly.

It's safe to say, the Brewers would not be adding Abrams for his glove; it's his bat that makes him a coveted trade target ahead of this year's deadline. The 25-year-old left-handed hitting infielder is in the midst of his best offensive season, with a .293/.364/.557 slash line and 25 homers to prove it. His 2026 home run total has already surpassed his previous career high, and Abrams is walking more than ever this year. In other words, for as concerning as the glove is, the bat would be an immediate boost to the Brewers' lineup. In the near term, Milwaukee's lineup with the addition of Abrams could look something like this:

Potential Brewers lineup with CJ Abrams:

1. DH Christian Yelich (L)
2. LF Jackson Chourio (R)
3. 3B CJ Abrams (L)
4. C William Contreras (R)
5. 2B Brice Turang (L)
6. 1B Andrew Vaughn (R)
7. CF Garrett Mitchell (L)
8. RF Jake Bauers (L)
9. SS Cooper Pratt (R)

This being the "near-term" lineup hints at the fact that Abrams has two years of team control remaining after the 2026 season. At just 25 years old, the Brewers would be acquiring 2.5 years of Abrams' prime by acquiring him before the August 3 trade deadline, which undoubtedly raises his price, but also means that Milwaukee's offense for the foreseeable future would be completely reshaped. Though Abrams would be unlikely to stick as a left-side infielder given the presence of Cooper Pratt and Jesús Made, both of whom are essentially being treated as "untouchable" at this year's trade deadline, he could flip over to first, where his defensive limitations would be reduced, or a corner outfield spot, where he has limited big-league experience (3 games).

Abrams certainly doesn't feel like the typical Brewers trade deadline target, given his lack of defensive value and high price, but Milwaukee's front office certainly values age, and at just 25 years old, there's reason to believe the Nationals' All-Star shortstop is on the cusp of superstardom. Brewers fans shouldn't get their hopes up for a blockbuster with the Nationals, but the fact that the front office is at least showing interest in players of Abrams' caliber is nevertheless encouraging.

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