boston
The Red Sox made one of the first big moves in MLB on Saturday night, sending starting pitcher Connelly Early to the Nationals in exchange for Curtis Mead, ESPNs Jeff Passan reported.
Mead has played third base for the majority of his career, but does have experience at first and second base.
Bostons current third baseman, Caleb Durbin, told The Boston Globes Alex Speier earlier on Saturday that hed be open to switching to second base if the team acquired a third baseman ahead of the Aug.
3 trade deadline.
According to MassLives Chris Cotillo, Boston is still figuring out where Mead and Durbin will play in the lineup.
Mead has had a strong 2026 at the plate, hitting 17 home runs and batting .257 in 86 games with Washington.
He also has 72 hits and 48 RBIs.
Early was one of many standouts on the Red Sox superb 2026 pitching staff, commanding a 3.44 ERA this season.
But as Boston has enjoyed a glut of talent in its starting rotation, its younger pitchers like Early have garnered quite a bit of trade buzz as the Red Sox continue their sudden push towards the postseason.
Both Mead and Early are having breakout seasons at their respective positions, and both the Red Sox and Nationals used those early returns to leverage the other player.
Boston now gets some additional infield depth, and another power hitter in the lineup alongside Durbin, Willson Contreras, and Wilyer Abreu.
Right-handed power bats have been sought after for years in Boston, and Mead fits the bill.
Its a short flight from Washington D.C.
to Boston, so its possible Mead could join the team as early as Sundays matchup with the Blue Jays.
But given the short turnaround, its more likely hell make his Red Sox debut at some point during their road series against the Athletics.