Grading the Connelly Early-Curtis Mead Trade
By William Gilhooly
Sportz Nation- 7/27/2026
With the MLB trade deadline just nine days away, two nights ago we had a sneak of the chaos expected to ensue.
The Washington Nationals agreed to send infielder Curtis Mead to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Connelly Early. Both teams addressed huge needs, with the pitching-starved Nationals acquiring their potential ace of the future and the Red Sox addressing their impact power-bat deficiency.
While no prospects were involved in the trade, it almost gives off that feel, with Early and Mead having five and four years of club control remaining, respectively.
Here is our breakdown and grades for the first major trade of the deadline.
Boston Red Sox: B
By acquiring Mead, the Red Sox have committed to fixing their long-ball deficiencies. Following being designated for assignment by the White Sox in March, Mead's enjoyed a breakout season thus far. After hitting just five home runs in his previous three seasons, Mead has exploded, belting 17 home runs to go along with an .852 OPS in 327 plate appearances. Mead spent most of his first half in D.C. as a platoon guy, which explains his .897 OPS and seven home runs against lefties. However, he's progressed well throughout the season, upping his OPS against righties to .817 while hitting more home runs, while only receiving 40 more plate appearances, with 10.
With Marcelo Mayer still being a few weeks away from returning, Mead will most likely assume his role at second base until he returns. While Mead hasn't posted great fielding metrics this season, the move from third to second should give Red Sox fans optimism.
Mead gives the Red Sox what they've been desperately looking for this season: power. Boston sits dead last in the American League and second to last in Majors League Baseball with 98 home runs. Outside of Home Run Derby participant Wilson Contreras, the Red Sox don't have anyone else who's hit more than 15 home runs this season. While guys like Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Caleb Durbin have improved their power numbers this month, Mead gives this offense some security while making this one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball for lefties.
Boston definitely could have gotten more in return for Early, who started a win-or-go-home playoff game last year, but the pitching-for-offense sacrifice makes sense considering the Red Sox's pitching depth.
With Sonny Gray having a career season at age 36, and the emergence of rookies Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett, the pitching staff has remained the second best in the AL despite missing Cy Young finalist Garrett Crochet and All-Star Ranger Suárez. When Crochet and Suárez come back, Early would've had stiff competition for the fifth starter spot despite an excellent rookie season, making it reasonable why Boston shopped him. With Kutter Crawford potentially returning to the staff this year, it's realistic to say the Red Sox could have the best pitching staff in the AL come October.
It will be interesting to see how Mead, who's played his entire major league career under Nationals manager Blake Butera, adapts to Boston. But with a swing that's perfect for the Green Monster, Mead will certainly bolster this Boston lineup on their trek to October.
Washington Nationals: A
The Nationals hit the ball out of the park with this trade. General manager Ani Kilambi was somehow able to add to the Nationals' already impressive young core while taking a calculated risk with the current team. While the departure of Mead stings, the pitching staff has been abysmal this season. Washington ranks second to last in the National League in ERA with a 4.76, along with surrendering 144 home runs in 105 games. Early, who grew up in nearby Midlothian, Virginia, provides security to a staff that's overreliant on All-Star Foster Griffin and Cade Cavalli.
Despite currently being out with left posterior elbow inflammation, Early has enjoyed a great rookie season thus far, posting a 3.44 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 91 innings. Early's extension and intricate command is what's made scouts drool over the former top-100 prospect. His slider and sweeper have been lethal, with batters hitting just .200 and .108, respectively. While his fastball's average run value is, at best, average, with the extension and arm angle he presents, most scouts agree he has a lot of room for growth.
What makes the move even better for Washington is the fact that Early's just 24 years old, with five more years of club control. The Nationals have one of the best young cores in baseball, but their top pitching prospects, Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana, are still at least a year away from getting considerable time in the big leagues.
The Nationals' offense leads all of baseball in runs scored, which is why the departure of Mead is well worth the addition of young, controllable pitching. James Wood and CJ Abrams have been arguably the best offensive duo in baseball this season and have established themselves as MVP hopefuls for years to come.
The move to get Early certainly helps Washington's chances of getting into the wild card, where they currently sit one game outside. With the move, it appears Kilambi is not content to sit around and wait for the team to be primed for a run next year, lobbying for October in year one. After many years of Washington selling and preparing for the future, that day looks to be now. And with Early at the helm for possibly five more years, it's scary to think the Nationals' best years may still await them.
By William Gilhooly
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