We got our first big move of the 2026 MLB trade deadline as the Boston Red Sox are sending Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Curtis Mead. This is a big-leaguer-for-big-leaguer trade that is very rare in today’s game. Especially around the deadline. But just because both teams got MLB players in return does not make it a good trade for both sides. In fact, the Nationals come away from this trade like gangbusters, while Red Sox fans are left scratching their heads. But what makes this such a steal for Washington?
The Nationals are the Winners of The Early-Mead Trade
Both Mead and Early are having impressive seasons. In 17 starts this season, Early has pitched to a 3.44 ERA over 91 2/3 innings with 93 strikeouts, 34 walks, a 1.255 WHIP, and a 118 ERA+. He relies on his six-pitch arsenal, which has a lot of movement. On the other hand, Mead is in the middle of a breakout season. In 87 games, he has slashed .254/.352/.500 with 17 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a 135 OPS+. He has finally unlocked the power we thought he had when he was a prospect.
While on the surface this seems even, as both teams are trading from a place of strength, it’s both players’ track record that makes it a robbery for the Nationals. As mentioned, this is the best season of Mead’s career. In the last three seasons in the bigs, he had struggled. Sure, he did not get a ton of playing time and showed flashes, but many had given up on him as a prospect. The Chicago White Sox even DFA’d him before the season. No one was expecting him to have this type of season.
Early has been a solid pitcher since making his major league debut in September of last season. Sure, it has been a small sample size, but he has established himself as a mid-rotation guy. Someone you can pencil into the three spot and be confident he will put in a quality start. There is also the possibility he continues to develop and become an even better pitcher. With him under team control until 2032, he is someone that can be a staple of the rotation for years to come. A very valuable player in today’s trade market.
It just does not make much sense to trade a proven commodity like Early for a risky player like Mead. Sure, Mead is having a good season and is under team control until 2031. He can provide the pop the Red Sox offense has been missing. But that is a big if. There is a very real possibility that this season is an outlier for Mead and he falls back into the struggles he saw early in this season. If the Red Sox were open to moving Early, it would have made more sense to trade him for a player with a proven track record.
There is always risk when you make trades like this. However, the risk the Red Sox take is far bigger than the one the Nationals are taking.
