MLB Trade Deadline: Nationals Fielding Offers for Abrams as Athletics Assess Langeliers’ Injury
With the trade deadline approaching, the Washington Nationals are listening to offers for CJ Abrams, while the Oakland Athletics evaluate the long-term availability of Shea Langeliers following a torn meniscus.
The Major League Baseball trade deadline is now less than a week away, prompting a surge in activity across the league. The Boston Red Sox have already initiated the window, completing a one-for-one swap with the Washington Nationals by sending left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to Washington in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. This transaction signals that other clubs are preparing to make significant roster adjustments before the deadline passes.
The Oakland Athletics are currently assessing the status of All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers, who has been placed on the injured list with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Langeliers sustained the injury while running the bases on Saturday but remained in the game to complete all nine innings. He is now deciding whether to undergo surgery and may miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Langeliers, 28, remains under team control through 2028, and speculation has long linked him to a trade to bolster the Athletics' pitching staff. However, players on the injured list are rarely traded at full value, and it is unlikely other clubs will meet the asking price for a catcher who may not play for the rest of the season. The Athletics are not actively shopping him and may instead look to trade him in the offseason.
Concurrently, the Washington Nationals are listening to offers for All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, despite not actively shopping him. The New York Yankees have inquired about Abrams, and the Milwaukee Brewers are expected to follow suit. Abrams, 25, is considered a top trade candidate due to his breakout season and team control through 2028.
For the Yankees, Abrams would provide an immediate offensive upgrade over the current shortstop tandem of José Caballero and Anthony Volpe. The Brewers, who are deep in young middle infielders, would view Abrams as a win-now addition who brings needed power to their lineup.
The San Diego Padres are also reportedly considering trading starting pitcher Michael King to address a critical need for pitching depth. King is currently three games out of a wild-card spot, but his contract includes a $28 million player option for 2027 and a $30 million option for 2028.
It appears likely that King will decline his player options to enter free agency or leverage them into an extension. While he has bullpen experience and could serve as a multi-inning high-leverage reliever, acquiring him would require a starter's price tag. San Diego may look to trade King for multiple young arms to strengthen their roster for a playoff push.
