MLB Analysts Flag 27-HR CJ Abrams Among Top 2026 Infield Trade Targets

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Aug 1

Days before the 2026 trade deadline, analysts cast controllable shortstops as the infield market’s most valuable assets, with Washington’s CJ Abrams, Miami’s Otto Lopez and the Angels’ Zach Neto leading the board.
Abrams has surged to a 150 OPS+, 27 homers and an NL-leading 82 RBI, while Lopez owns a .325 average and 5.3 WAR and Neto brings power-speed value despite an AL-high 149 strikeouts.
Boston appears repeatedly as a projected landing spot for all three headliners, with the Yankees also tied to Abrams, Lopez and Neto and Milwaukee and Atlanta mentioned as alternatives.
The next tier centers on rental bats such as Luis Arraez, Ty France and Gleyber Torres, while Miami’s Xavier Edwards and Washington’s Luis García Jr. offer additional controllable infield options.
At the expensive end, stars such as Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor were labeled unlikely to move because of large remaining contracts.