Red Sox acquire Curtis Mead from Nationals in exchange for pitcher Connelly Early
Boston traded left-handed starter Connelly Early to Washington for infielder Curtis Mead as both clubs address roster needs.
Boston sent left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals in exchange for right-handed infielder Curtis Mead late Saturday night. Early, 24, posted a 7-5 record with a 3.44 ERA in 17 starts this season before being placed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. He has begun a throwing program and is expected to work out of the bullpen soon.
Mead, 25, has primarily played third base but also has experience at first and second. He recorded a .254 batting average with a .856 OPS, 17 home runs and 48 RBIs for Washington this year, and hit .276 with a .897 OPS against left-handed pitchers. The Nationals acquired him in March after a previous trade that sent him from the Rays to the White Sox.
The trade addresses each team's needs: the Nationals, which lead the league in scoring but lack depth in the rotation, add a starter, while the Red Sox, which rank near the bottom in runs scored but have the second-lowest ERA in the American League, add a versatile infielder. Boston may slot Mead at third base with Caleb Durbin moving to second, or use him at second.
The deal follows earlier transactions between the clubs, including a January trade that sent right-hander Luis Perales to Washington for left-hander Jake Bennett, who has performed well in Boston's rotation.