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Nationals Trade Curtis Mead to Red Sox for Connelly Early

7/26/2026

33 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Nationals Trade Mead

The Washington Nationals traded infielder Curtis Mead to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher Connelly Early.
Early posted a 3.44 ERA, a 7-5 record and 93 strikeouts before going on the injured list with inflammation on July 1, 2026.
Mead hit .256/.351/.505 with 17 homers, 48 RBIs and OPS+ 136 in 87 games.
After the trade, Washington sits 53-52, third in the NL East, while Boston is 53-50, second in the AL.

Summary

Nationals Bullpen Trouble

Nationals rank 28th in bullpen ERA (5.03) and are on pace for a record of blown saves before the Aug. 3 deadline.
President Paul Toboni and GM Anirudh Kilambi plan to acquire and trade rental relievers and expiring-contract arms.
Washington leads MLB with 569 runs and 151 home runs, yet an ERA 4 prompts talks and limits leverage for outfielder CJ Abrams and pitcher Luis García Jr., who are under contract through 2026.

History

Historical Context

After Theo Epstein’s 2003-04 offseason deal that sent Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge de la Rosa and a prospect to Arizona for ace Curt Schilling, who posted a 21-6 record, Boston bolstered its rotation and, following the July 31, 2004 deadline trades of Nomar Garciaparra, won the World Series by sweeping St. Louis. The Nationals’ July 2024 swap of Curtis Mead for Connelly Early echoes that deadline-day urgency.

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Nationals Trade Mead

The Washington Nationals traded infielder Curtis Mead to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher Connelly Early.
Early posted a 3.44 ERA, a 7-5 record and 93 strikeouts before going on the injured list with inflammation on July 1, 2026.
Mead hit .256/.351/.505 with 17 homers, 48 RBIs and OPS+ 136 in 87 games.
After the trade, Washington sits 53-52, third in the NL East, while Boston is 53-50, second in the AL.

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