Nationals lock down center fielder Jacob Young as a key roster item, as both sides reportedly agreed to a four-year contract extension, worth $23 million. The contract contains a fifth-year option valued at $8 million, and Young would receive a $2 million roster bonus if the Nats trade him during the term of that contract. Young, an Excel Sports Management client, was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter. MLBTR Contributor Matt Swartz Projected $2.3 Million Salary
Young, 27, has been the Nationals’ primary center fielder since 2024. He posted poor offensive numbers in 2024 and especially in 2025, but was close to league average at the plate in 2026 (.252/.318/.390). Since establishing himself as a big league regular in 2024, Young owns a batting line of .248/.311/.340 (82 wRC+).
Although Young, the right-handed hitter, doesn’t bring much to the table in the batter’s box, he is a high-end defender with excellent speed. He’s collected 66 sacks over the past three seasons, but hasn’t been very efficient, as those steals have come on 91 attempts (72.5% success rate). However, Young threw 18 of 22 interceptions last season, and the real selling point of his skillset is in his glove anyway.
Statcast rates Young as the second-best defensive outfielder in baseball over the past three seasons. His above-average 46 outs in that span are probably only NL MVP Pete Crow Armstrong. More broadly, Young ranks fourth among all OAA major leaguers since 2024; Bobby Witt Jr.Crow-Armstrong and Andrés Giménez are the only players to have posted higher OAA totals during this period. Defensive points saved gave Young a slightly negative grade this year, in part due to poor throwing, but both metrics agree that he’s one of the furthest defenders in the game since ’24.
Young’s new contract buys out his three arbitration seasons and gives the Nats control of two potential free agent years – one of which is a club option that will of course be at their discretion. With a projection of $2.3 million for his first year of arbitration, Young probably could have expected to earn between $12 million and $15 million for his three years of arbitration, depending on his performance in subsequent seasons. If he can continue his near-average offensive output of 26 or even improve on it, he could be at the high end of that range. The regression might have left it a little lower. Either way, the deal effectively pays between $8 million and $11 million to secure a free agent year with a club option for a second.
Young’s plus speed and solid glovework give him a high enough floor that the Nationals likely think he’ll justify that commitment even if 2026 proves to be a peak offensive year. He’s also a particularly solid hitter against lefties (.282/.353/.423 in 2026, .265/.336/.355 in his career), which gives him a good chance of maintaining his value as a fourth outfielder even if his overall game slips in subsequent seasons.
Overall, this is a smart deal for both clubs. Young’s glove and speed aren’t likely to suddenly evaporate, barring a notable unexpected injury. However, his skills are not necessarily those that are necessarily well paid in arbitration. He’s able to lock in a life-changing amount of money, while the team gains some cost certainty versus a starting center fielder whose worst-case scenario would still make him a useful fourth outfielder.
Today’s extension is the second in recent months for the Nats and now gives them three players under long-term control: Young, top starter Cade Cavalli and receiver Keibert Ruiz. Cavalli, who signed a four-year contract worth $47 million with a club option in September, has had a breakout year at the top of Washington’s rotation now that his past injury issues appear to have been put in the rearview mirror. Ruiz, who signed an eight-year, $50 million contract under the former Nationals front office led by Mike Rizzo, had a bounce-back campaign after three poor seasons.
Cavalli, Young and Ruiz are now all signed through 2030 with a team option for 2031. (Ruiz’s deal provides for a second club option covering the 2032 season.) This 2030 season is the same year in which Washington controls the young star slugger. James Woodaround which this growing core will continue to concentrate.
Talk Nats first reported the deal and $2 million assignment bonus in a potential trade out of the Nationals. Robert Murray of FanSided was first to report the terms of the contract.
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