Abrams Faces Minor League Stint as Nationals Navigate Season's End
The Washington Nationals will conclude their last eight games of the season missing a key player from their lineup. Standout shortstop CJ Abrams, who had been an All-Star this season, was recently demoted to the minors, an unexpected move just before the season's end.
The decision to send Abrams down came on Saturday, a surprising turn given his performance on the field this season. Manager Davey Martinez and General Manager Mike Rizzo have stated that the demotion was not due to his on-field performance. "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 has certainly made his mark this season. With a batting line of .246/.314/.433, amassing 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases, he has been a bright spot for the Nationals in yet another challenging year. Despite his contributions, the Nationals have secured a losing record for the fifth consecutive year since their 2019 World Series triumph. Abrams leads the team with a 3.4 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), underlining his value on the field.
Although specifics around the demotion remain internal, Rizzo shed some light on the broader context. "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," Rizzo said.
The move will have some financial implications for Abrams, costing him approximately $36,000 in salary. However, the demotion does not affect his service-time accrual. Abrams has already secured enough days on the MLB roster this season to lock in a full year of service time, ensuring his future eligibility for arbitration and free agency remains unchanged.
Taking over the shortstop position is Nasim Nuñez, who has been tasked with filling the void left by Abrams’ unexpected departure. The Nationals are navigating this adjustment period, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining standards within the team. "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 noted.
The situation may be seen as part of the broader process within a rebuilding team. "It's about teamwork and being a great teammate. When players fail to reach those standards, we have to do something to get them back into the mode of Nationals and teammate and big leagues and that type of thing. We felt it was warranted in this case." Rizzo added that such actions are not new to 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."
As the Nationals wrap up their season, the focus will be on how they manage their lineup and continue their preparation for the future. Abrams' absence will be felt on the field, but the organization upholds the belief that these steps are crucial for both the player’s and the team’s long-term benefit. The upcoming games will test the depth and resilience of the squad, as they look to end their season on a high note amid ongoing rebuilding efforts.