Yankees Should Trade for Jacob Young Amid World Series Title Drought, MLB Rumors

The New York Yankees previously expressed interest in Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported (h/t MLBTradeRumors.com ).

While the team did not execute a trade for the 27-year-old last January, it is a potential deal the organization must revisit as it continues its hunt for its first World Series title since 2009.

Young is not going to electrify anyone at the plate. He is not the home run threat that Aaron Judge is, hitting just 10 home runs in 2026. Instead, he impacts the game in two other areas, both benefiting the Bronx Bombers.

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In four Major League seasons, Young has stolen 79 bases. That is a significant boost to the offense and helps to put the team in scoring position, even when the bats aren't on fire. It is, inarguably, his greatest offensive asset.

He hit .252 this past season, with 10 home runs, and a 2.3 WAR.

He is also a defender in the outfield, landing in the top 10 in defensive WAR in two of the last three seasons. He currently sits at +49 Outs Above Average, second only to likely NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs.

He is also a two-time Gold Glove finalist, further validating his superb play in center field.

There is an argument to be made that the Yankees do not need another outfielder, with Aaron Judge, Spencer Jones, and Cody Bellinger rounding out that portion of the lineup.

Judge has spent the last few seasons fending off injuries or missing big chunks of time due to them, though, and having someone who can take the load off of him and reduce his need to place in the outfield could be beneficial to the team and player.

It would open up the possibility to shuffle around the outfield and even give Jones the opportunity to grow into the role, without placing pressure for him to excel as a defender before he is ready.

With Jasson Dominguez not making the impact some expected, or even having the consistent opportunity to do so, and Heliot Ramos a potential option, the Yankees have the pieces to make a trade.

Considering Young is eligible for arbitration in 2027, has club control through 2029, and is the most affordable of the three young centerpieces of the Nationals' lineup, it is a deal the Yankees must consider making.

After all, the organization has built its reputation on championships, and it is nearing two decades without one. Acquiring a player who can prevent runs and set others up with his work on the basepaths certainly will not hurt their chances of ending that drought, nor will what is almost certain to be a modest price tag.