Red Sox acquire Curtis Mead and consider additional roster upgrades before deadline

Boston completed a trade on Saturday, sending left-handed starter Connelly Early to Washington in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. Mead hit 17 home runs in 87 games for the Nationals and is expected to add power to a Red Sox lineup that has produced 98 homers, the fewest in the majors.

ESPN reporter Jeff Passan said the club is likely to keep looking for additional deals. > "The Red Sox are not expected to stop with this deal, either, continuing to consider larger deals for another bat, sources said," he wrote.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said the organization remains open to opportunities but did not specify any targets. > "I think it’ll sound vague or basic if I were to say we’re going to continue to look at opportunities to upgrade the team, but I think that’s kind of where we are, and there are a few different paths to do that," Breslow said at Fenway Park.

Analysts note that the team could address other needs, such as catcher, where current players have combined for only four home runs. Potential options mentioned include power-hitting catcher Hunter Goodman of Colorado, who has shown strong road numbers, and backup catcher Ryan Jeffers, who posted a .293 average with nine homers in limited action before an injury.

Other positions that may be explored include shortstop, with Jeremy Pena cited as a possible target due to his defensive reputation and recent offensive production, and outfield, where a high-profile player such as Fernando Tatis Jr. could be considered if the Red Sox are willing to assume a large contract.

For a short-term boost, veteran slugger George Springer, currently with Toronto, is also mentioned as a rental option given his postseason experience and past success at Fenway.