What happened: The Nationals traded outfielder Robert Hassell III to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash or a player to be named later, days after he cleared waivers following a designation for assignment earlier this month. Hassell had remained in the Nationals' system after clearing waivers before Thursday's deal sent him to Pittsburgh.
Why it matters: Hassell was one of three players Washington acquired from the Padres in the 2022 Juan Soto trade, a group that also included James Wood and CJ Abrams, both of whom developed into regulars in the majors. Hassell's path diverged as he battled injuries and inconsistent production in Washington's system, leaving him without a clear path to the big-league roster.
By the numbers: Hassell posted an OPS below .600 in Triple-A this season after hitting over .300 at the level last year and debuting in the majors in 2025.
What to watch: Watch for how the Pirates deploy Hassell in their outfield depth and minor-league system going forward.