CJ Abrams is reportedly 'not thrilled' with move to second base for Nationals
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CJ Abrams is reportedly 'not thrilled' with move to second base for Nationals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Washington Nationals All-Star CJ Abrams is "not thrilled" about his recent position change.
The NL East club moved the 25-year-old from shortstop to second base, a move announced by Nationals manager Blake Butera earlier this week.
Abrams grades out as one of the worst defenders in the sport at shortstop, so the Nationals are likely looking at what's best for the club's defense moving forward.
For now, the slugger will split time with Nasim Nunez at second while still spending some time at his original middle infield position.
Abrams is not happy with move to second base
"I think, first, CJ was not thrilled about the decision to move him off shortstop at this time," Abrams' agent, Mike Sanders, told The Athletic's Spencer Nusbaum. "But his priority is to win games for the Nationals and to be a team-first player, so that is what he's going to do."
Abrams was a hot topic at the trade deadline, but the Nationals' asking price was likely very high.
He has already set career highs in home runs (29) and RBIs (91), and he's stolen 24 bases in 29 attempts.
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Abrams is a key cog in the middle of Washington's lineup, but he needs to improve his defensive skill set.
"Sanders doubled down on Abrams' assertion that he views himself as a shortstop long-term, and indicated that his client intends to spend the winter focused on improving his defense at his preferred position," Nusbaum wrote. "Sanders believes Abrams has earned an offseason to prove that he can stick at short."
Abrams will have to prove it, because the numbers indicate that this is an appropriate decision from the Nationals.
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