Contenders Covet MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams; Nationals Seek Hefty Return

The Washington Nationals walked into the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando with more questions than answers. Under new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, they aren’t shying away from any of them.

Toboni isn’t slapping a “for sale” sign on the franchise. Still, he’s quietly signaling that the right offer could pry away some of Washington’s most valuable pieces — even young stars Mackenzie Gore and CJ Abrams.

He’s making moves that could totally redefine the club’s future.

Nationals Enter a New Era Under Paul Toboni

Toboni’s arrival marks a real shift for the Nationals’ front office. He’s not dismantling the roster just to shake things up, but he’s also not treating anyone as untouchable if a deal makes sense for the long-term plan.

He’s walking a more nuanced line: strategic flexibility. Washington’s message is simple — they’ll listen on almost anyone, as long as the return helps them get back to contention faster.

Toboni’s Strategic Openness at the Winter Meetings

At the 2025 Winter Meetings in Orlando, that approach is right up front. Executives across the league know the Nationals aren’t holding a clearance sale, but if a rival club is willing to pay a premium, Toboni will engage.

This creates a fascinating dynamic. Washington isn’t tanking, but they’re willing to leverage top-tier talent to deepen their foundation.

That makes them one of the most intriguing teams in the room, no question.

CJ Abrams: Power, Speed, and Heavy Interest from the Yankees

No player better embodies Washington’s dilemma than CJ Abrams. The young shortstop has quickly turned into one of the more electric players in the National League.

He pairs emerging pop with top-end athleticism. It’s that rare blend of tools that has the New York Yankees especially intrigued.

In a market where true impact shortstops are scarce, Abrams’ profile jumps off the page.

Why CJ Abrams Is Drawing So Much Trade Buzz

Multiple teams have checked in on Abrams. The Yankees’ interest stands out, given their perpetual win-now urgency.

For a club hunting dynamic up-the-middle talent, Abrams looks like a perfect fit. From Washington’s perspective, the calculus is complicated.

Trading a player with Abrams’ upside is risky, but so is clinging to him if the rest of the roster isn’t ready to compete on his timeline.

That tension really defines Toboni’s first major test.

• Offensive upside: He’s showing a growing power stroke, with the potential for 20+ home runs in his prime.
• Game-changing speed: Abrams is a threat on the bases every time he reaches, putting pressure on pitchers and defenses.
• Defensive value: The ability to stay at a premium position adds significant long-term value.

Mackenzie Gore: A Coveted Young Arm on the Block

On the pitching side, Mackenzie Gore is another name circulating in trade conversations. Left-handers with his stuff and pedigree rarely hit the market at his age.

Multiple clubs are circling for that reason. For a team like Washington, dealing a frontline-caliber arm is never easy.

But for Toboni, Gore represents the kind of asset that could headline a blockbuster deal. He could bring back a package of prospects or young big leaguers that reshapes the organization’s depth chart.

The Risk-Reward Equation with Trading Gore

Moving Gore would be a bold statement. Pitching is the lifeblood of sustainable contention, and parting with a potential rotation anchor always carries the risk of regret.

If another club sees Gore as a near-finished product and is willing to overpay, Washington has to consider whether one arm is more valuable than multiple controllable pieces that fit a broader competitive window.

Balancing Rebuild and Competitiveness

The Nationals’ current challenge is threading the needle between rebuilding and staying competitive enough to avoid a long stay in the basement. They aren’t tearing it down to the studs — they’re trying to re-route their trajectory.

Every decision at these Winter Meetings gets weighed against one central question: Does this move bring Washington closer to sustained contention in the next few years?

How These Decisions Could Define Washington’s Future

Any trade involving Abrams or Gore would reverberate well beyond Orlando. These aren’t just minor tweaks; they could change the franchise’s course entirely.

• If the Nationals get the returns right, they might quickly build a young, controllable core that competes for years.
• If they don’t, they could end up stuck in a long rebuilding phase.

The rest of the league is definitely keeping an eye on Washington right now. With the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings swirling, Paul Toboni’s mix of patience and boldness puts the Nationals in a spot to make big, calculated moves—maybe the kind that shape the team’s future.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Contenders crave MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams. The Nats want a lot in return.