The Washington Nationals have made the startling decision to play their final eight games without their standout shortstop, CJ Abrams. This is not a performance-based move, according to both Manager Davey Martinez and General Manager Mike Rizzo, but an internal decision aimed at the longer-term interests of the team and the player.
Abrams, who was sent down to the minors this past Saturday, has been a key asset for the Nationals despite their challenges this season. The team secured a losing record for the fifth consecutive year since their memorable World Series triumph in 2019. Abrams has proven to be one of the bright spots, boasting a batting line of .246/.314/.433 with 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases. He also leads the team with a 3.4 WAR.
An Internal Decision
General Manager Mike Rizzo addressed the move, emphasizing it was not due to Abrams' 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," said Rizzo.
Rizzo further elaborated on the nature of Abrams' demotion, shedding 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."
Cost and Impact
The demotion will also come at a financial cost to Abrams, roughly $36,000 in salary. However, it's important to note that there are no service-time ramifications. Abrams has already accrued enough days on the MLB roster this season to secure a full year of service time, ensuring his eligibility for arbitration and free agency remains unaffected.
Rizzo highlighted the standards that the Nationals expect from their players, touching on the team culture and ethos. "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,” he explained.
Next Steps
With Abrams now in the minors, Nasim Nuñez has stepped in to fill the void at shortstop for the Nationals. This move exemplifies the Nationals' broader strategy and approach towards managing young talent. "It's about teamwork and being a great teammate," Rizzo added. "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 acknowledged the challenges and complexities of managing a young, rebuilding team. "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."
Abrams’ absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Nationals in their final games of the season. His impressive statistics reflect his significant contribution to the team despite their ongoing struggles. As the Nationals continue to build and look towards the future, the handling of Abrams' situation serves as a poignant reminder of the balance between development, expectations, and the best interests of both the player and the organization.