The buzz is real, people. Joel Sherman from the NY Post dropped the bomb: the Yankees have had their eyes on Jacob Young of the Washington Nationals for a long, long time, and they’ve even talked about him in the past. After the season Young just put together in 2026, it’s not hard to see why this conversation is heating up big time for the Nats and their center fielder.
Jacob Young Just Went From Awful To Awesome, Seriously
Okay, so let’s talk about what Young did. Dude just wrapped an *excellent* 2026 season where he took some massive strides offensively. We’re talking about a guy who hit .252 with a .708 OPS this year. Why is that a big deal? Because last season, he was at a measly .231 with a .583 OPS. That’s a serious jump! The biggest reason for this glow-up was a total change in his approach. Instead of just slapping the ball on the ground, Young was looking to do damage, changing his swing path and dropping those ground ball rates.
The results speak for themselves, honestly. He went from being an awful hitter to something close to an average one, and when you combine that newfound bat with his absolutely elite defense, that .708 OPS makes him a seriously valuable player. But the most shocking part? His power. Heading into 2026, Young had only cranked 5 career homers. This year alone? He doubled that, slamming 10 dingers. In a season full of offensive surprises across the league, Young’s power surge was definitely one of the biggest shocks.
Why The Nats Are Facing A Jacob Young Trade Headache
So, with all that going on, the big question looms: should the Nats trade him? It’s a tricky one. On one hand, Washington has options to replace Young in center field, like Dylan Crews. But here’s the kicker: Young’s defensive ability gives him a much higher floor than Crews. He is, in a lot of ways, an insurance policy for Crews. While Crews has that prospect pedigree and power upside, and might even have more offensive potential, there’s some healthy skepticism there. Young, on the other hand, you know is gonna give you elite defense, no question, every single game. Crews is a good defender, but he’s not on Young’s level.
This situation puts the Nats in a classic “sell high” spot. It’s not a guarantee that all of Young’s offensive gains will stick long-term, even though I personally think a good chunk of them will. But right now, his value is probably as high as it’s ever been. Plus, the free agent market for center fielders this winter is looking super weak after some down seasons from other guys. So, do the Nats make a move and get a haul, or do they hang on to a guy who just proved he can be a solid everyday player with an incredible glove?
This winter is gonna be wild for the Nats, trying to figure out if Young’s offensive gains are here to stay and what that means for their outfield picture.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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