Pirates Grab Hassell as MLB Trade Deadline Heats Up

Sport

By lines

July 17, 2026

The 2026 MLB trade deadline is two weeks away, and the market just moved. The Washington Nationals sent outfielder Robert Hassell III to the Pittsburgh Pirates. More buyers and sellers are now tipping their hands.

Sellers Blink as the Deadline Clock Speeds Up

The Nationals traded Hassell to Pittsburgh on Thursday for cash or a player to be named later. Washington had designated the former first-round pick for assignment days earlier. The Pirates added Hassell as low-cost outfield depth. Pittsburgh has lost Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz and Endy Rodriguez to the injured list lately. Pittsburgh recently added Jacob Gonzalez and Brandon Eisert from the Chicago White Sox. Pittsburgh also lost prospect Konnor Griffin for weeks with a hand injury.

Hassell, now 24, hit .223 over 206 plate appearances in his lone MLB audition. The San Diego Padres drafted Hassell eighth overall in 2020. Washington acquired Hassell in the 2022 Juan Soto trade. Hassell hit .229 in the minors across 2023 and 2024. Hassell arrives without a 40-man roster spot for Pittsburgh.

The Milwaukee Brewers opened deadline season by adding Lance McCullers Jr. from Houston. The Houston Astros used that swap to clear payroll and roster space. McCullers had not pitched since May 19 because of a right rotator cuff impingement. The Brewers entered Friday atop the National League Central.

The wider market now splits into clear buyers and sellers. The Miami Marlins plan to buy and keep ace Sandy Alcantara. The Atlanta Braves have shown interest in starter Sonny Gray. The Kansas City Royals hold high asking prices on Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros also weigh their next deadline moves.

Each move reshapes the National League and American League playoff races. The Pirates keep adding low-cost depth while chasing a Wild Card push. The Marlins signaling a buy is a surprise for a small-market club. Sellers like the Royals could swing a contender’s rotation with Wacha or Lugo. One rental arm can flip a tight division race.

The deadline closes on August 3 at 6 p.m. ET. More sellers should surface as fringe contenders fade this month. Starters like Sonny Gray and Seth Lugo headline the arms market. Buyers include the Marlins, Braves and Pirates as of Friday. The next two weeks will reshape every contender’s roster.