New MLB Rumors on Giants' 'Aggressive' CJ Abrams Trade Pursuit, Harrison Bader Contract

The San Francisco Giants recently made an "aggressive" push to acquire Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams on the trade market before negotiations stalled, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic.

Per Baggarly, the Giants showed an "openness" to dealing shortstop prospect Josuar Gonzalez in the deal, while left-handed starters Carson Whisenhunt and Jacob Bresnahan were among the prospects brought up in trade discussions between the Giants and Nationals.

San Francisco is also "poised to engage" with center fielder Harrison Bader in free agency as he searches for a three-year contract, via Baggarly.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle also reported Bader "piques the Giants' interest" as a free agent on Dec. 7.

Bader spent the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies, appearing in 146 combined games. He racked up 17 home runs, 24 doubles and 54 RBI while posting a career-high .796 OPS.

The 31-year-old is typically known for his defense, an area that San Francisco could use some help in. The Giants' outfielders ranked No. 28 among all teams in fielding run value during the 2025 season, according to Baseball Savant.

It's clear to see why San Francisco was also interested in Abrams, who earned an All-Star nod in 2024 and is just 25 years old.

He's coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hit .257 with 19 home runs, 35 doubles and 60 RBI. Abrams also continued to showcase his speed on the bases, recording 31 steals for the second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, the Giants finished with the second-fewest steals among all MLB teams last season.

It appears as though the Nationals coveted more than Whisenhunt and Bresnahan in trade talks, however. They're ranked as San Francisco's No. 7 and No. 11 prospects, respectively (via MLB.com).

The Giants are attempting emerge from the middle of the National League standings, as they've missed the postseason in each of the past four years despite recording at least 79 wins in every season over that span.