Jim Bowden's absurd Dodgers trade idea has LA plundering the Nationals, losing Josue De Paula

Leave it to former general manager Jim Bowden (emphasis on former) to trot out an absurd trade proposal centered around Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Josue De Paula. While Bowden's suggestion brings two studs to LA from the Washington Nationals, the return just isn't going to cut the mustard.

Bowden's proposed trade sends De Paula, catcher Dalton Rushing, and pitchers Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski to our nation's capital in exchange for outfielder James Wood and shortstop CJ Abrams.

If you think this is a bargain for the Dodgers, you're dead wrong. This is absolute and total thievery. Wood and Abrams were All-Stars for the Nats last season, and two of the best players at their respective positions.

Most Dodgers fans will probably remember that Wood and Abrams were two of the prospects the San Diego Padres shipped to Washington in exchange for Juan Soto at the 2022 trade deadline. Wood, 23, slugged 30 home runs and stole 21 bases while posting a .265/.388/.503 slash line this season. Abrams hit .261/.336/.497 and led all shortstops with 33 homers and 34 stolen bases in 2026.

Dodgers trade proposal for James Wood and CJ Abrams missed the mark

Furthermore, neither player is a rental. In fact, Wood is still pre-arbitration eligible and won't reach free agency until after the 2030 season. Abrams is little further along, but still has two years of team control remaining.

The only thing we can think of is that, perhaps, ole Jimbo inserted Abrams' name by mistake. Otherwise, nothing about this proposal makes sense. One could make the argument that Wood alone is worth a trade package of De Paula, Rushing, Sheehan, and Wrobleski. There's no chance the Dodgers would be able to pry both players away from DC for that price.

Moreover, given time to develop, De Paula could become the very player Wood is today. Both, though limited defensively, have a tremendous bat speed and power at the dish. De Paula is a more patient hitter than Wood, and could eventually surpass him once he logs more time in the big leagues.

Bowden is never one to run out of bad ideas, but this is one his most harebrained trade proposals to date. Too bad he's not still running the show in Washington — Andrew Friedman would've made that deal in a heartbeat.

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