Sports
Nationals lock up Gold Glove finalist Jacob Young with a four-year deal
Washington's slick-fielding center fielder agreed to a deal through 2030 with a club option for 2031 after a career year at the plate.
Jacob Young is staying in Washington for the long haul.
The Nationals and their center fielder agreed to a four-year contract that runs through the 2030 season. The deal includes a club option for 2031. Team president of baseball operations Paul Toboni announced it on Wednesday.
Young is best known for his glove. He was a Gold Glove finalist in 2024 and 2025.
A breakout at the plate
This season, Young showed he can hit too. He set career highs with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs while batting .252.
Before this year, he had just five home runs in more than 1,000 major league plate appearances.
He also ranked third among National League center fielders in two key defensive measures.
"Already one of the top defenders in Major League Baseball, we all saw the significant step forward Jacob took offensively in 2026," Toboni said. He added that the team expects him to keep improving.
Done before a possible lockout
Young turned 27 in late July.
The deal comes weeks before the league's labor agreement expires on Dec. 1. Owners are expected to lock out the players, which could put next season in doubt.
More like this
The Athletics hire 31-year-old Red Sox executive Taylor Smith to run baseball operations ahead of the move to Las Vegas
Corbin Carroll has elbow surgery and should be ready for Diamondbacks spring training
Yankees and GM Brian Cashman agree to a new contract
Tigers land closer Emilio Pagán in the first big signing of MLB free agency