Boston Red Sox
Mead has 17 home runs this season.
Curtis Mead had 17 home runs for the Nationals this season. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
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, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported.
Mead has played third base for the majority of his career, but does have experience at first and second base. Boston’s current third baseman, Caleb Durbin, told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier earlier on Saturday that he’d be open to switching to second base if the team acquired a third baseman ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
According to MassLive’s 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.
Curtis Mead’s season stats & how they rank on the Red Sox:
136 OPS+ (2nd)
17 HR (2nd)
.351 OBP (4th)
48 RBI (4th)
72 H (5th)
6 SB (T-5th)
Has split most of his time at 1st & 3rd, but also plays 2B. 25 years old, FA in 2031.
Sox get their RHH infielder. pic.twitter.com/ZEdMVjnrNK
— Big Sox Guy (@BigSoxGuy) July 26, 2026
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.
It’s a short flight from Washington D.C. to Boston, so it’s possible Mead could join the team as early as Sunday’s matchup with the Blue Jays. But given the short turnaround, it’s more likely he’ll make his Red Sox debut at some point during their road series against the Athletics.
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