Red Sox ship starter Connelly Early to Nationals for Curtis Mead
The Boston Globe • • sports
Key Points:
- The Boston Red Sox traded left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead, a right-handed hitter having a breakout offensive season.
- Curtis Mead, 25, has primarily played third base but has experience at first and second base; he is hitting .254 with an .856 OPS, 17 home runs, and 48 RBIs this season for Washington.
- Mead has improved his on-base percentage to .351 this year and has been traded three times in less than a year, most recently from the White Sox to the Nationals in March.
- Connelly Early, 24, has an 8-7 record with a 3.24 ERA since his MLB debut last season but was recently placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation; he has restarted throwing and is expected to have a bullpen session soon.
- The trade addresses each team's needs: the Nationals seek starting pitching depth, while the Red Sox aim to boost their offense; the deal was facilitated by connections between Nationals' Paul Toboni and Red Sox executives.
