Nationals to move All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base in surprising decision

NEW YORK — The Washington Nationals will move All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base in the coming days, a dramatic decision that could help the team defensively in the short term but raises questions about morale and fit down the stretch.

When asked about the move Friday, Abrams said he didn’t have many thoughts on the decision or the team’s communication of it, but still views himself as a shortstop long term. Manager Blake Butera has stood by Abrams’ play at shortstop throughout the season and said Abrams received the decision well and was a “total pro.” Abrams, though, didn’t come across as overjoyed when speaking with reporters Friday.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Abrams said.

Abrams will still play shortstop about once a week, with Nasim Nuñez — arguably the best fielder in the organization — shifting from second base to shortstop.

Abrams, 25 and an All-Star starter this season, has been one of the best offensive players in MLB and showed flashes of improvement in the field this year, but ranks last in MLB among all position players in outs above average despite working with a new set of coaches.

Team officials began kicking around the idea of moving Abrams to second base early this season and broached the idea with Adams last week, wanting to give him time to sit with the idea and voice his opinion.

Butera said he, president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and general manager Ani Kilambi came to the decision together.

“I play shortstop today, so I’ll be ready to go,” Abrams said. “That’s where I’ve been. Can take charge of the infield when I can, and play my game.”

“Think it’s the right thing to do for the group, and also acknowledge the fact that whenever somebody is moving from shortstop, that can be a big thing,” Butera said.

The timing of the decision was arguably the biggest surprise. The Nationals could have held out on a position change until this offseason, or even through part of 2027, if they wanted to give Abrams more runway. They have a strong crop of shortstops in the farm system as well but let the deadline pass without trading him. Ultimately, Butera said, the decision was made to help the club win more games in 2026 and 2027.

“There is no perfect time to do this,” Butera said. “I think you can make an argument like, ‘Why didn’t we do it coming out of spring training?’ It’s like, well, then we’re not giving him a chance to show if he can do it or not. Then why not do it now or next year? We think now is probably the best time because, one, we wanted CJ to be able to play shortstop, and especially with new coaches here and have some run to do that. But then also I think doing it now allows him a chance to, like, get some real feedback before the offseason to know what this looks like and what he’s going to have to really hone in on during the offseason to make 2027 better.”