Padres reunion chatter around a former top prospect feels uncomfortably familiar

An old friend of the Padres farm system may be made available by the Washington Nationals, a team that is entering a rebuild.

The Nationals traded southpaw Mackenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers in exchange for five prospects, and the team is listening to offers on shortstop CJ Abrams. However, one of the Padres division rivals attempted to make the blockbuster move, but was denied despite the large package offered up in return

The San Francisco Giants offered Carson Whisenhunt, Jacob Bresnahan, Bo Davidson, and Jhonny Level. All in all, a pool of prospects was offered, and the Nationals said no.

Padres CJ Abrams reunion chatter brings back a haunting Padres what if

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden released an article listing seven names that could still be dealt before opening day, and Abrams was included. Bowden proceeded to link him to the Padres, the team that traded him to the Nationals back in 2022 in exchange for Josh Bell.

Abrams, 25, slashed .257/.315/.433 with a 111 OPS+. His bat is present, and his baserunning is elite. Any team would benefit from adding Abrams to its lineup.

There are two issues with the Padres making the move for Abrams: the first being space in the infield. Manned by Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Jake Cronenworth. First base remains a mystery.

What the team could do to combat this is to move Cronenworth to first, Bogaerts to second, and slot Abrams in at his primary position at shortstop. 

There have also been rumors swirling about the Padres trading Jake Cronenworth. In that case, you still slide Bogaerts to second and slot Abrams at short, but sign a first baseman on the market in a corresponding move.

Despite the crowded infield that the Padres have, the glaring issue is that the team doesn’t have a strong farm system anymore. After the flurry of trades made at the 2025 trade deadline, San Diego doesn’t have the assets that the Nationals would want for Abrams.

It is unlikely that an Abrams trade to the Padres actually happens, but it's okay to be optimistic. Just don’t hold your breath over it.