​Pirates make interesting no-risk trade with Nationals for former top outfield prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming out of the MLB All-Star break with a 50-47 record, and 9.5 games out of the NL Central lead, but only 2.0 games back in the NL Wild Card.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementConsidering how close they are to contention, it wouldn’t be a shocker if they were trade deadline buyers. While it’s still a few weeks early, the Pirates have indeed already acquired a player to help their roster.According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Pirates are taking a “no risk” flyer on a former top prospect of the Washington Nationals who was part of the trade return for Juan Soto a few years ago, in outfielder Robert Hassell III.”The Pittsburgh Pirates take a no-risk flier on outfielder Robert Hassell III, who was designated for assignment last week by the Washington Nationals,” Nightengale reports. “The cost is only cash or a player to be named later.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pirates are adding Hassell to the roster in a trade while only giving up a small return. It will either be a prospect or cash considerations, but it won’t be a hefty return for the Pirates.Hassell, the 2020 No. 8 overall draft pick by the San Diego Padres, who was later traded alongside James Wood, CJ Abrams, and MacKenzie Gore to the Nationals for Soto, is now coming to the Pirates.He had a .593 OPS this season with a .215 batting average in 228 at-bats in Triple-A for the Nationals. He did have an .839 OPS last season in Triple-A, so there might still be something there with Hassell.MORE: Why Astros are trading Lance McCullers to the BrewersAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut the Nationals designated him for assignment for a reason. Hassell just hasn’t been good enough, as the 24-year-old proved during his 2025 MLB debut.In 70 games, across 197 at-bats, Hassell posted a .223 batting average with a .572 OPS with three home runs, 18 RBIs, and eight walks to 62 strikeouts.While Hassell might not figure things out for the Pirates, it’s a worthwhile addition, as the outfield prospect might end up figuring things out in a new change of scenery.It’s a low-risk move for Pittsburgh, and while it might not be likely to work out, if it does, the Pirates would have made a very savvy move to land a high-upside outfielder who is still just 24 years old.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCardinals sign JJ Wetherholt to eight-year, $112.5 million contract extensionMason Miller shares honest thoughts on Yankees trade rumorsRed Sox trade rumor involving All-Star shortstop includes Yankees, BravesBlue Jays could do something crazy and trade for Bo BichettePhillies could get involved with Mason Miller again after trade rumor