Boston Red Sox Reportedly Trade Connelly Early to Nationals, Acquire Power Hitting Infielder
· Yahoo Sports
The Boston Red Sox have made their first move of the 2026 trade deadline as ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Boston has traded left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead.
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About MeadAfter hitting .238/.300/.317/.618 with five home runs in 152 games across three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox, the 25-year-old is breaking out in a big way at the plate in his fourth season. The infielder hit .256/.351/.505/.856 with 17 home runs and 48 RBI in 86 games for Washington.
Unlike most power hitters, Mead limits swing and miss, ranking in the 76th percentile with a 25.4 percent chase rate, and his 17.9 percent whiff rate ranks in the 83rd percentile, leading to a 19.3 percent strikeout rate, while he walks 11.5 percent of the time.
Jul 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Curtis Mead (45) runs to thirds base against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Nationals Park. Brad Mills-Imagn ImagesDefensively, Mead has spent time at first base, second base and third base, struggling at each. In 411.1 career innings at first Mead has posted a -2 defensive runs saved, -8 outs above average, and -5 fielding run value. In 320.2 innings at second, the 25-year-old has a -1 defensive runs saved, and zero outs above average and fielding run value.
He has spent the majority of his time in the big leagues at third base, playing 855 innings at the hot corner posting a -2 defensive runs saved, -5 outs above, and -4 fielding run value.
Mead signed a pre-arbitration deal of $780,000 with the White Sox before being dealt to Washington for Double-A catcher Boston Smith. The 25-year-old carries five years of team control after the 2026 season, meaning he won’t hit the open market until 2031.
About EarlyThe 24-year-old was selected by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft, making his major league debut in September 2025. In 21 major league starts for Boston posting a 3.24 ERA across 111 innings.
It has been an up-and-down 2026 season for Early, as he struggled with the home run ball for much of the season, allowing 1.47 home runs per nine innings, the 18th-highest rate in baseball among pitchers with at least 90 innings of work. Along with his propensity to give up home runs, the 24-year-old struggled with command at times, walking 3.3 batters per nine innings.
Jun 25, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Connelly Early (71) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Fenway Park. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesDespite those struggles, the results remained consistent as he posted a 3.44 ERA in 17 starts before landing on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation on July 1.
According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the 24-year-old Early had begun a five-day throwing program, with plans to throw two simulated innings while the team was in Sacramento to take on the Athletics.
Like Mead, Early comes with multiple years of team control, the 24-year-old won't be a free agent until after the 2032 season.
Up next for the SoxThe Red Sox will look to make it six consecutive series wins in Sunday’s rubber match against the Toronto Blue Jays. Ranger Suarez (4-3, 3.15 ERA) is set to return from the 15-day injured list to make the start. He’ll take the mound opposite Kevin Gausman (4-9, 4.51 ERA) for Toronto. First pitch from Fenway is set for 1:35 p.m. ET.
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