The New York Yankees are still chasing that World Series title they haven’t seen since 2009, and it looks like Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young is back on their radar. Joel Sherman from the New York Post reported the Yankees previously showed interest in the 27-year-old, and even though they didn’t pull the trigger on a trade last January, this is a deal the organization absolutely has to revisit. They are nearing two decades without a championship, and that’s just wild for a team with their reputation.
Young’s Game Is All About Impact Beyond the Bat
Let’s be real, Young isn’t stepping up to the plate to mash dingers like Aaron Judge. He only hit 10 home runs in 2026, and his average was .252 with a 2.3 WAR that season. But to focus just on his bat is to miss the whole point of his game. This guy is a game-changer in two other massive ways that would instantly benefit the Bronx Bombers. First, his speed is legit. He’s swiped an incredible 79 bases in his four Major League seasons. That’s a huge shot in the arm for any offense, constantly putting runners in scoring position even when the bats aren’t scorching hot. That base-stealing ability is his top offensive asset. Second, his defense is straight-up elite. Young has been a top 10 defender in defensive WAR in two of the last three seasons. He currently rocks a +49 Outs Above Average, which is second only to Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs, who’s likely headed for an NL MVP award. Plus, he’s a two-time Gold Glove finalist. This dude *plays* center field.
Why the Yankees Can’t Afford to Miss This Deal
Now, you might hear some chatter that the Yankees are already loaded in the outfield with Judge, Spencer Jones, and Cody Bellinger. But here’s the thing: Judge has been battling injuries, missing chunks of time in recent seasons. Bringing in Young could seriously take some pressure off Judge, maybe reducing his time in the outfield and keeping him healthier. It also opens up possibilities to shuffle the outfield and lets Jones develop his defensive game without being thrown straight into the deep end. With Jasson Dominguez not exactly making the splash some expected, and Heliot Ramos being just a potential option, the Yankees absolutely have the pieces to make this trade happen. Young is eligible for arbitration in 2027, has club control through 2029, and is reportedly the most affordable of the Nationals’ three young centerfielders. A modest price tag is almost a certainty here.
The Yankees need to end this drought. Getting a player who can prevent runs with his incredible defense and set up scoring opportunities with his base-running? That’s a no-brainer. This isn’t just about adding depth, it’s about adding a unique skill set that could be the missing spark to finally bring that championship trophy back to New York.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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