Red Sox trade LHP Early to Nats for slugging infielder Mead

The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals finalized a trade on Saturday night, July 29, just over a week before the August 3 Trade Deadline. The Red Sox sent left-handed starter Connelly Early to the Nationals in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead.

Early, who debuted last year but is still classified as a rookie, recorded a 3.44 ERA and an average of 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings over his 17 starts this season.

TRADE DETAILS
Red Sox to receive: INF Curtis Mead
Nationals to receive: LHP Connelly Early

Currently, Early has been on the injured list due to left elbow inflammation since July 1, although he is expected to return in August. He threw one inning in the bullpen on Friday, July 28, and his next step before commencing a rehab assignment was anticipated to be a two-inning bullpen session.

This trade marks the third time Mead has been traded. He was previously sent to the Tampa Bay Rays for current Philadelphia Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez. The 25-year-old native of Adelaide, Australia, has played at third base, first base, and second base this season, with a slash line of .254/.352/.500 over 87 games. According to Baseball Savant, Mead's expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) of .359 entered play on Saturday, ranking him in the 85th percentile among all Major League hitters.