This offseason could force Paul Toboni and the Nationals into some tough calls, and Jacob Young is one of the names that could end up in the middle of them.
Washington may look to upgrade through free agency, especially if ownership does open the wallet a bit more this winter. But the trade market could be just as important for a team trying to move into the next phase of its rebuild. Young, an elite defensive center fielder and two-time Gold Glove finalist, is the kind of player who could attract real attention after taking a step forward with the bat in 2026.
Joel Sherman of The New York Post reported that the Yankees were previously interested in Young. Sherman did not say whether the teams ever held actual trade discussions involving Young, or when that interest surfaced, but the mention alone says plenty: other clubs have already had him on their radar.
That would not come as a shock. The Nationals even explored Young’s market in a loose way last offseason, as Toboni and his front office tried to figure out what kind of return he might bring.
At the time, the interest level was unclear. Now it may be different.
After producing a .252/.318/.390 line with career highs in home runs (10), extra-base hits (35), RBIs (50) and OPS+ (94), Young may be viewed less as a glove-only specialist and more as a legitimate everyday center fielder.
For the Yankees, the fit is obvious. They need a center fielder.
Trent Grisham is a free agent after a disappointing 2026 season in which he struggled both offensively and defensively, and that makes a reunion seem unlikely. The Yankees also may not want to hand the job every day to former top prospect Spencer Jones, while Cody Bellinger is more of a corner infielder at this point in his career. With Aaron Judge dealing with declining health and increasing age, New York has a clear need to lift its defensive floor in center field.
Young checks that box cleanly. He also comes with years of club control, since he will be arbitration eligible beginning in 2027.
That kind of stability would give New York help in center while its younger players continue to develop. From Washington’s perspective, that kind of profile could bring back a strong return.
The Nationals would still have a baseball reason to consider it beyond the prospect haul. Dylan Crews is part of that equation.
Crews did not break out the way many expected, but he did show signs of progress, particularly against left-handers. And while he is not the defender Young is in center - few players are - Crews is still an above-average glove who gives the Nationals a strong baseline. More runway for him as an everyday player could help determine whether he can still grow into the elite prospect profile he carried through the minor leagues.
If Washington does move Young, the payoff could come in more than one form. The return might include pieces for the future, or it could bring back win-now help from a team like New York.
Either way, the Nationals have to be creative as they try to improve. More spending is possible, but not guaranteed.
Trading Young to a club that badly needs center field help could be one path that gets them closer to the kind of roster that can push into the wild card picture in 2027.
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A shortstop addition would help stabilize the middle of the diamond, and Mauricio Dubon has been floated as one possible fit because of the versatility he brings. The other opening is at designated hitter, where production lagged far enough behind the rest of the roster to make it a priority rather than a luxury. Brandon Lowe is one name tied to that spot, giving Washington a possible upgrade path if it decides to attack both needs rather than patching only one. [Read more 🡒]
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That is why this winter feels different, at least on paper. The improvement from last season has raised the expectation that the Nationals could finally push a bit harder to strengthen the roster, and the looming possibility of a salary floor in a future lockout could add another layer to the decision-making. For fans who have spent years asking when the franchise would seriously spend again, the offseason is shaping up as another test of how far ownership is willing to go. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Face A Tough Jacob Young Decision This Offseason
Jacob Young gave the Nationals something to weigh this winter by taking a real step forward at the plate in 2026. He hit .252 with a .708 OPS and added 10 home runs, a notable jump in production for a player whose value has long been tied to his range in center field. For a club still sorting out its next core, that kind of progress matters, especially when it comes from someone who can already help with defense.
The tricky part is whether that growth is enough to make him part of the long-term plan or a piece that could bring back help elsewhere. Washington has Dylan Crews waiting in the wings as a possible center field answer, which only sharpens the conversation around Young's future. If the Nationals decide to shop him, there should be no shortage of interest from teams looking for a center fielder, with the Yankees among the clubs that could make sense. [Read more 🡒]