Jacob Young's extension gives Nationals certainty in center field heading into 2027

EWith James Wood and Daylen Lile emerging as key pieces of the Washington Nationals' outfield, Jacob Young has established himself as a complementary player who could help round out the group as the club looks toward competing in 2027.

The Nationals made that commitment official this week, signing Young to a four-year, $23 million extension with a club option for 2031. The deal keeps the 27-year-old center fielder in Washington through at least 2030.

Young is coming off his best offensive season in the majors, while continuing to provide some of the best defense in baseball. His development gives Washington a more complete outfield heading into next season, with three players who bring different strengths to the lineup.

Young, 27, hit .252 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI and a .708 OPS in 140 games this season. Those numbers were a considerable improvement from 2025, when he hit just .231 with two home runs and a .583 OPS.

The biggest difference came during the second half of the season. From July through the end of September, Young hit .301 with a .390 on-base percentage, showing that he could contribute more consistently at the plate.

That offensive improvement is particularly important given what Young already brings defensively. He finished with 11 outs above average in 2026, ranking third among National League center fielders, and has been a Gold Glove finalist twice in his career.

Young doesn't necessarily need to become one of Washington's top offensive players to justify the extension. With James Wood and Daylen Lile providing much of the production from the outfield, the Nationals can afford to have a defense-first player in center, particularly if Young continues to hit closer to the level he showed during the second half.

There is also the financial aspect of the deal.

At $23 million over four years, Washington will pay Young an average of $5.75 million annually, a relatively modest commitment for a player who has already established himself as one of the better defensive center fielders in the league.

The deal also covers his remaining arbitration years and one year of free agency, allowing the Nationals to avoid the uncertainty of annual contract negotiations while keeping Young under team control for the foreseeable future.

It could also have implications for how Washington approaches the rest of its outfield.

Dylan Crews has reportedly drawn interest from several teams this offseason, with The Athletic reporting that the Nationals have not ruled out discussing the former second overall pick in trade negotiations.

Young's extension doesn't mean Crews will be moved, but it does give Washington a clearer picture of its outfield situation if the club decides to explore those conversations further.

The Nationals finished 77-85 in 2026, an 11-win improvement from the previous season, but still have work to do before they can realistically compete for a playoff spot.

Improving the pitching staff figures to be among the club's priorities this offseason, and having a reliable center fielder under contract gives Washington one less position to worry about.

Young's deal follows the September extension of Cade Cavalli, giving the Nationals two players signed beyond their initial years of team control.

For Young, the extension is a reward for his development over the last three seasons. For Washington, it means one of its most dependable players will remain in the lineup as the club looks to build on its progress in 2026.