​The Washington Nationals have been navigating a season in which postseason contention remains within reach, even as a struggling bullpen continues to test their resilience. A key factor in their current position is the standout production from three All-Stars: Foster Griffin, James Wood, and CJ Abrams. However, there was a real possibility that Wood or Abrams might not have been part of the team this year.
Reports from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale indicated that the Nationals were willing to listen on trading both Abrams and Wood during the last offseason. In the end, they chose not to pursue that course of action, preserving two core pieces of the franchise in Washington, D.C. Nightengale notes that the Nationals had previously dealt prized starter MacKenzie Gore and had signaled that Abrams and Wood could be available over the winter, yet the team turned the page with a winning record and now sits in the thick of the wild-card chase.
Currently sitting at 48-48, the Nationals have faced a bullpen that has created more questions than answers, but the front office could still decide to add a reliever at the trade deadline to bolster their postseason odds. This adjustment could be more feasible thanks in large part to the ongoing contributions of Wood and Abrams. Abrams has posted a .276 batting average, 20 homers, 67 RBIs, and an .866 OPS over 92 games and 341 at-bats this season. Wood counters with a .278 average, 27 home runs, 63 RBIs, and a .974 OPS across 96 games and 367 at-bats.
The group of Nationals All-Stars has delivered standout performances this year, and the decision not to part with Wood and Abrams this past offseason now appears to have been the prudent move. Had the team traded them, it would have marked a major misstep in hindsight. Fortunately, they avoided such a mistake, and Wood and Abrams have emerged as clear cornerstones around whom the franchise can build for the foreseeable future.
Overall, the Nationals are assembling a competitive squad, with Wood and Abrams serving as central figures in that transformation. While there are still areas to address—specifically, the bullpen and the starting rotation—the team feels positioned for the near future, owing much of its potential to the star power and development of these two players. The path forward includes continued reinforcement of pitching depth and further growth from the lineup, but the foundation is solid thanks to the presence and performance of Wood and Abrams.