Red Sox Acquire Curtis Mead for Connelly Early

[TriplePlay8]

Mlbtraderumors is now reporting the trade

 

wow is all I have to say what’s everyone’s else’s thoughts it’s a 1for1 trade

[a700hitter]

Red Sox trading LHP Early to Nats for INF Mead (sources) Per MLB

[a700hitter]

I like Early.  I think he has a good future.  Where will Mead fit?  Isn’t he primarily a third baseman?

[a700hitter]

Per MLB:

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

Early, who debuted last year but is still a rookie, has posted a 3.44 ERA and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings across 17 starts this year.

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

Early has been on the injured list with left elbow inflammation since July 1, although he is expected to return in August. The lefty threw one inning in the bullpen on Friday, and his next step before a rehab assignment was expected to be a two-inning 'pen session.

This is the third trade involving Mead, who was once dealt straight up to the Rays for current Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez. The 25-year-old native of Adelaide, Australia, has played third base, first and second this season, slashing .254/.352/.500 in 87 games.

Per Baseball Savant, Mead's xwOBA of .359 entering play on Saturday ranked in the 85th percentile of all big league hitters.

[UtahSox]

Mead is BAD 3rd baseman.. -8.1  I’m not sure you can move Durbin off 3rd for him? I’m more interested and think he might be an everyday DH/ 1b if WC needs a day. Only 25 yrs old had a breakout year.. clearly Red Sox think he has tapped into something… who loses spot in lineup? Seigler, Yoshida? 

[UtahSox]

 

[UtahSox]

TM likes the trade. I hope he turns into Brent Rooker for us. 

[vegasbob]

Apparently he may be capable if playing 2B also.  DH is most likely 

I believe this is the first step in a multipositional transition. Breslow will be revealing the next steps over the next week 

 

[vegasbob]

I don't mind Early's departure.  He is a breaking ball pitcher with a sensitive elbow. I think time will show this as a good move.

Mead is a weak fielder because he's an Aussie

[moonslav59]

Wow!

we’ve mentioned trading Early, but this guy was barely discussed.

my initial thoughts are positive, but I need to sleep on this one.

[UtahSox]

The more data I see the more excited I get. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I liked Early but also like that Breslow was decisive, making the first move. 

I also think acquiring an infielder like Mead now rules out trading Eyanson or Arias for a shortstop -- and that Arias may even be called up by the end of this season.

That doesn't rule out making a blockbuster for a star catcher, though, at the deadline as clubs wait until the last best offers.

[mvp 78]

Pull heavy approach is good. Not sure where he winds up defensively. It’s a fair trade for Early who is a 4th starter. Sox can develop a bunch of those. Bennett and Tolle have shown much higher ceilings. 

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I'm surprised at the reaction. I hate this trade, I don't want to give up on a very promising young left handed pitcher unless it's for a real impact player.  

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

I'm surprised at the reaction. I hate this trade, I don't want to give up on a very promising young left handed pitcher unless it's for a real impact player.  

They would have had to add a lot more than just Early for that.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

They would have had to add a lot more than just Early for that.

Of course.  Still don't like trading a promising young left hander and I'm surprised others are OK with doing this.  

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

Of course.  Still don't like trading a promising young left hander and I'm surprised others are OK with doing this.  

I think people were hoping for a larger trade, but this was the highest price point Breslow wanted to go. Mead wasn’t the guy I wanted and I have questions about his defense. The bat should be ok. If he ends up being a platoon DH, it’s not worth it. Can’t say I’m an expert on Nats players. 

[southpaw777]

I like the deal. Especially if this kid is finally breaking out. So now I’m pretty sure we can bet that another starter will be traded for. 

[harmony]

Curtis Mead had been mentioned as a trade target for Seattle but the Mariners may become sellers shortly.

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, harmony said:

Curtis Mead had been mentioned as a trade target for Seattle but the Mariners may become sellers shortly.

Fenway is a better park for his swing. He got lucky.

[Old Red]

33 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think people were hoping for a larger trade, but this was the highest price point Breslow wanted to go. Mead wasn’t the guy I wanted and I have questions about his defense. The bat should be ok. If he ends up being a platoon DH, it’s not worth it. Can’t say I’m an expert on Nats players. 

25 yrs old, and his 4th different team already. 17 HR this year after only 5 HR total before that. Bad 3B as well, so if he doesn’t hit HR I don’t see much of an addition, and at the most just meh. 🤔

[Old Red]

31 minutes ago, southpaw777 said:

I like the deal. Especially if this kid is finally breaking out. So now I’m pretty sure we can bet that another starter will be traded for. 

Finally breaking out is the key, and big question.

[mvp 78]

If you are down on the trade, just know that Mead thinks Sweet Caroline is overplayed. 

[mvp 78]

Just now, Old Red said:

Finally breaking out is the key, and big question.

25 seems fine for a breakout.

[jgar658]

The Nats seem happy with the trade.  What if Early needs Tommy John?

[notin]

I liked Mead and mentioned him as a good target a couple times, but I wouldn’t have given up Early for him….

[notin]

24 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

If you are down on the trade, just know that Mead thinks Sweet Caroline is overplayed. 

That does help…

[southpaw777]

19 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

25 seems fine for a breakout.

If he was 28-29 I might say he is who he is, but plenty of guys don’t hit their stride until their mid 20s. I was worried that Early had been over performing and looking at the analytics I’m going with that. He’s a good back rotation guy, which makes this trade a smart move IMO. I hope they both do well in their new homes. Especially Mead, even if he isn’t a fan of sweet Caroline…I’m not really either🤷‍♂️

[Hugh2]

29 minutes ago, Old Red said:

25 yrs old, and his 4th different team already. 17 HR this year after only 5 HR total before that. Bad 3B as well, so if he doesn’t hit HR I don’t see much of an addition, and at the most just meh. 🤔

They will could (they should) move him to 2B.  His defense is much better than and Durbin has been great at 3b

[Hugh2]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

I liked Mead and mentioned him as a good target a couple times, but I wouldn’t have given up Early for him….

Who is the odd man out?