cj abrams casino The Washington Nationals made headlines with a shocking roster decision, demoting their young star shortstop, C.J. Abrams, to Triple-A Rochester. While sending players to the minors is not unusual in the world of professional baseball, this particular move raised eyebrows, as it was less about performance and more about a disciplinary issue—Abrams was reportedly seen at a Chicago casino until 8:00 a.m., mere hours before a 2:00 p.m. game against the Cubs.
The 23-year-old shortstop, who was leading off for the Nationals, struggled in that game, going 0-for-3 with a walk, and the team lost 3–1. However, the bigger news came after the game when Nationals manager Davey Martinez pulled Abrams aside for a lengthy, emotional conversation. “We had our moments,” Martinez told reporters. “But as I always say, it’s about taking care of the person first and not the player. I’m going to do everything I can to help him.”
Abrams’s demotion comes as the Nationals wind down another disappointing season, marking their fifth consecutive year without playoff contention. With only eight games remaining in the regular season, the move effectively ends Abrams’s 2024 campaign. The former All-Star will spend the final days of the season taking batting practice in Florida rather than playing meaningful games.
A Struggling Season for Abrams
The demotion wasn’t solely because of Abrams’s late-night casino outing. His performance on the field had deteriorated significantly in the second half of the season. After a stellar start and a strong June, Abrams hit a wall. From the All-Star break onwards, he batted a meager .203 with a dismal .586 OPS over 204 plate appearances. His performance slump coincided with an alarming dip in confidence, noticeable in his body language and overall demeanor. Abrams’s struggles at the plate, combined with his undisciplined off-field behavior, forced the Nationals’ hand.
For a team like the Nationals—who aren’t chasing a playoff spot—sending a message to their young players about professionalism takes precedence. Martinez and team president Mike Rizzo have both made it clear that they want to build a winning culture in Washington, even if it means making difficult decisions like sending a star player down to the minors.
Demotion as a Lesson in Tough Love
Abrams’s demotion is not the first of its kind under the Nationals’ current leadership. In 2023, the team sent another young infielder, Luis Garcia Jr., down to Triple-A for similar reasons. Garcia was slumping, and his demotion was seen as a “wake-up call.” The message seemed to work for Garcia, who has had a breakout 2024 season. It’s possible the Nationals are hoping for a similar turnaround with Abrams.
However, there’s no guarantee this tough-love approach will work. In 2021, the Nationals took a similar path with outfielder Victor Robles, who never fully recovered his confidence and struggled until eventually being traded to the Seattle Mariners.
Navigating Late-Season Despair
One of the challenges facing the Nationals is keeping their young players motivated during the late stages of a losing season. Abrams’s late-night casino outing is likely a symptom of the frustration and despair that can settle in when a team is no longer in playoff contention. For the Nationals, ensuring that their players maintain professionalism even during these difficult times is crucial.
With the season essentially over for the Nationals, giving a young Rule-5 pickup like Nasim Nuñez the interim shortstop role doesn’t move the needle in terms of improving the team’s competitiveness. But it does allow the organization to emphasize its standards of professional conduct, hoping to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Looking Ahead
The Nationals’ 2024 season might not have lived up to expectations, but there’s still hope for the future. While Abrams will finish the season in Florida, the team is optimistic about his potential return in 2025, with Martinez stating, “He’s going to be back. He’s a good kid.”
For now, Abrams will have to reflect on both his on-field struggles and off-field choices, hoping to come back stronger next season. As the Nationals continue their rebuilding process, maintaining discipline and a professional culture remains their priority, even if it means making painful decisions like this one.
In the meantime, the Nationals can only hope that tough love leads to long-term growth for their young players and a brighter future for the team.
