Overview
- The Washington Nationals traded outfielder Robert Hassell III to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday for cash considerations or a player to be named later, a deal confirmed by team announcements and league reports.
- Before the trade, the Nationals designated Hassell for assignment on July 5, he cleared outright waivers, was sent to Triple-A Rochester, and then was moved without a corresponding 40-man roster spot for Pittsburgh.
- Hassell was the eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft and was a key piece of the 2022 Juan Soto trade, giving him a high pedigree despite recent struggles.
- He has battled hamate-related injuries and inconsistent hitting, slashing about .215/.304/.289 with a .593 OPS in 63 Triple-A games this year and hitting .223 in 70 big-league games in 2025.
- Pittsburgh views the deal as a low-risk, buy-low gamble that sends Hassell to the FCL Pirates where a change of scenery and development work could revive his prospect upside without costing a roster spot or significant assets.