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MLB·TRANSACTION·July 1, 2026 09:23 PM ET

Orioles, Nationals Complete First Trade in Franchise History

Beltway rivals finally swing a deal.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 21 min read
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What happened: The Baltimore Orioles acquired infielder Randal Diaz from the Washington Nationals in exchange for right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas. The move is a minor league swap and marks the first completed trade between the two franchises.

Why it matters: The Beltway neighbors had never traded with one another before, an unusual gap for clubs separated by roughly 40 miles. Breaking that stalemate, even on a low-stakes deal, removes a long-standing quirk from the sport's trade landscape.

By the numbers: Kyle Nicolas, 27, was optioned to Triple-A in the wake of the deal. Randal Diaz, 23, joins Baltimore's infield depth in the minor league system.

What to watch: Watch whether the two front offices, having finally done business, become more frequent trade partners going forward.

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