Red Sox acquire infielder Curtis Mead from Nationals for Connelly Early
Boston traded left-handed starter Connelly Early to Washington for 25-year-old infielder Curtis Mead, who has hit 17 home runs in 87 games this season.
Boston completed a trade on Saturday, sending left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals in exchange for right-handed infielder Curtis Mead. The 25-year-old, originally from Adelaide, Australia, has been playing regularly for the Nationals this season, posting a .256 batting average with 17 home runs, 48 runs batted in and an .852 OPS over 87 games.
Mead, a former top prospect in the Rays organization, struggled to find consistency in the major leagues from 2023 to 2025, hitting .238 with five home runs in 152 games. After brief stints with the White Sox and the Nationals, he began to see more consistent playing time in Washington, which the team’s manager described as a chance to give him a controlled environment to develop.
Mead’s power potential aligns with Boston’s need for additional home-run production; the Red Sox rank near the bottom of the league in total home runs. He has played multiple infield positions this year—third base, first base and second base—offering flexibility for Boston’s roster. Current third baseman Caleb Durbin said he could shift positions if needed, while defensive metrics indicate Mead’s range is below average.
Analysts note that Mead’s swing, which generates a high pull-air percentage, may be well suited to Fenway Park’s left-field dimensions. The team hopes the ballpark will help sustain his offensive output.
In a recent interview, Mead mentioned that he finds the traditional “Sweet Caroline” sing-along at Fenway overplayed, though he acknowledged its popularity among fans.