Hassell’s Surprising Fate and Trade Potential | Washington Nationals News

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On July 13th, so, the Washington Nationals made a move that caught a lot of people off guard. They designated outfielder Robert Hassell III for a Simon back on July 5th. This happened right after they brought a pitcher Eddie Yen, who then got sent back down to Triple-A Rochester himself.
Hassell was a pretty big deal, a former top 100 prospect, and a key piece in the trade that brought James Wood over.
By letting him go, the Nats were risking another team snagging him off waivers. But that didn't happen. Hassell, who's 24 years old, went unclaimed and the team announced he was outrided back to Triple-A Rochester. This means he's still in their system, which is a bit of a twist after the initial move. Now, with the trade deadline approaching, the Nationals are looking for some help in the bullpen. They might be thinking of Hassell as a trade chip. He was once seen as a future star, and even though he hasn't quite lived up to that hype, he could still be a valuable piece for another team willing. To take a chance, last year, Hassell struggled in his first 70 major league games, hitting just.223 with a low on base percentage. Some argue he just needs more time in the big leagues to develop, but with the Nationals current outfield situation and the talent coming up, he's unlikely to get those reps in Washington. So, the Nats could use him to bring in a relief pitcher who can help them win now.
It's unclear what his trade value is, especially since he cleared waivers, but he could be enough to get them an experienced arm for their bullpen, especially if they're not looking to spend big. We'll have to see if this plays out, but don't be surprised if Hassell ends up being the piece that helps the team improve. Team coverage powered by AI. This is Washington Nationals News Today.