Red Sox-Nationals swap opens MLB trade season

The Aug. 3 deadline leaves one week for more moves

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 271 min read

MLB trade grades: Red Sox and Nats make first major deal of trade season Trade season has officially begun! Here's our Via @Buster_ESPN on X

What happened: The Boston Red Sox acquired infielder Curtis Mead from the Washington Nationals for left-hander Connelly Early. The clubs finalized the one-for-one deal Saturday night.

Why it matters: Boston converts rotation depth into a right-handed bat after scoring the eighth-fewest runs per game. Washington, two games out of a wild-card spot, adds a starter under team control through 2031.

By the numbers: Mead is batting .254/.352/.500 with 17 homers and 48 RBI in 87 games. Early is 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 91.2 innings across 17 starts; he has been on the injured list since July 1 with left elbow inflammation.

What to watch: Mead is expected to join Boston during its four-game series in West Sacramento. Early is scheduled for a rehab start Aug. 3.

Sources

@Buster_ESPN 2026-07-27T03:42:21.819577+00:00

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