Red Sox Acquire Curtis Mead for Connelly Early

[FredLynn]

16 minutes ago, notin said:

With a torn meniscus in his knee, he might never catch again.

Its possible, but there is a good chance it will eventually heal enough for him to catch. And if its a tear on the fringe where there is a blood supply it could be repaired rather than removed. I had a torn meniscus and was eventually able to resume running pain free. Catching in a squat position is obviously tougher but I would guess he will eventually catch again, though not this year most likely.

[Old Red]

11 minutes ago, Tedballgame said:

Arias is the next Red Sox SS.

Well he just got to WOO, so nothing is imminent. Remember Mayer was supposed to be the next best thing at SS ever since he was drafted, so let’s pump the brakes a little bit on Arias.

[moonslav59]

I really liked Early. He seemed supremely confident on the mound and had a knack for getting out of jams. I'm not sure how sustainable that was/is.

The guy walked too many guys, and that usually bites pitchers in the arse. A 3.3 BB/9 is not the end of the world for a young pitcher still developing, but it was worrisome. It was 3.5 in the minors and 3.4 in college, so it wasn't some new issue with him.

Of all the pitchers Brez has traded, this guy was the one I liked the most at the time of the trade. I still am thinking this was and will be a good trade for Boston- more so for 2026 than beyond, but beyond could be good, too

[illinoisredsox]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Who is the odd man out? 

Seigler for now.  Longer term , perhaps they have had it with Mayer?

[notin]

Just now, illinoisredsox said:

Seigler for now.  Longer term , perhaps they have had it with Mayer?

I do think Mayer gets moved this off-season, assuming he is still here next week.  Durbin to 2b and Arias breathing down his neck at SS has left him without a position.

He does at least come with a pedigree that gives him solid trade value for now..

[notin]

Marcelo Mayer to Atlanta for RHSP Bryce Elder.

Who says no?

[a700hitter]

It seems that Mead sucks at 3B, so maybe 2B will suit him better.  Leave Durbin at 3B.  
 

Do we have enough depth at SP with Early gone?   It sounds like Crochet will not be giving us anything this season.  I guess they think Sandoval can hold down a rotation spot.

[notin]

21 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Well he just got to WOO, so nothing is imminent. Remember Mayer was supposed to be the next best thing at SS ever since he was drafted, so let’s pump the brakes a little bit on Arias.

Sometimes folks desperate to discredit enthusiasm need to invent that enthusiasm first.  Then they rarely (re: never) realize they’re simply discrediting themselves…

[a700hitter]

I like Seigler too.  He puts the ball in play and makes things happen.  His glove is reliable too.

[FredLynn]

4 minutes ago, a700hitter said:

I like Seigler too.  He puts the ball in play and makes things happen.  His glove is reliable too.

I'd rather have Siegler than Mayer. He had his chance. Very solid defender. Useless with a bat in his hands.

[notin]

18 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

I'd rather have Siegler than Mayer. He had his chance. Very solid defender. Useless with a bat in his hands.

I think of Seigler as an MLB utility player/bench bat.  Which does mean I think he belongs in MLB.

I do think Mayer will be better long term, but he has to stay on the field…

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, notin said:

I think of Seigler as an MLB utility player/bench bat.  Which does mean I think he belongs in MLB.

I do think Mayer will be better long term, but he has to stay on the field…

I admit that it is still early with Mayer. He could conceivably turn it around. But for THIS YEAR I would rather have Siegler, though he is likely to become more of a bench utility player now.

[Old Red]

22 minutes ago, notin said:

Sometimes folks desperate to discredit enthusiasm need to invent that enthusiasm first.  Then they rarely (re: never) realize they’re simply discrediting themselves…

Huh? Enthusiasm, or false hope over the hype of Suspects? Casas, KC, Marshmallow Mayer, and little pinky Anthony. How have all of these hyped up suspects turned out so far? They for the most part don’t make them too durable anymore at the very least. Dream on McDuff.

[notin]

27 minutes ago, a700hitter said:

It seems that Mead sucks at 3B, so maybe 2B will suit him better.  Leave Durbin at 3B.  
 

Do we have enough depth at SP with Early gone?   It sounds like Crochet will not be giving us anything this season.  I guess they think Sandoval can hold down a rotation spot.

Mead isn’t good defensively anywhere.  But he was a BA top 100 prospect with Tampa as a 3b.  Durbin is an elite 3b that played 2b throughout the bulk of his MiLB career with the Yankees and Brewers.  Hes likely only playing 3b because 2b in Milwaukee is spoken for.

Durbin has said he’s happy yo go play 2b.  The last time Breslow ignored that offer was disastrous (albeit dramatically different). I think the Sox restore each player to their MiLB position, but only because Mead at 2b looks really questionable…

[UtahSox]

41 minutes ago, illinoisredsox said:

Seigler for now.  Longer term , perhaps they have had it with Mayer?

That is exactly what this trade told us, Red Sox are moving Mayer or KCing him to AAA. Life comes at you fast. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

54 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Well he just got to WOO, so nothing is imminent. Remember Mayer was supposed to be the next best thing at SS ever since he was drafted, so let’s pump the brakes a little bit on Arias.

Prospects are suspect until they prove different.

[notin]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

Huh? Enthusiasm, or false hope over the hype of Suspects? Casas, KC, Marshmallow Mayer, and little pinky Anthony. How have all of these hyped up suspects turned out so far? They for the most part don’t make them too durable anymore at the very least. Dream on McDuff.

Whats your point? People always get excited about hyped up prospects, especially when the hype comes from sources like Baseball America that are outside the Sox organization.

Great for you that you don’t buy into prospect hype.  Not sure why you think that anyone who does is obviously your intellectual inferior…

[UtahSox]

38 minutes ago, notin said:

Marcelo Mayer to Atlanta for RHSP Bryce Elder.

Who says no?

Unfortunately I think ATL does…. 

[notin]

4 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Prospects are suspect until they prove different.

But there is nothing wrong with getting excited about that unknown…

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

Mead isn’t good defensively anywhere.  But he was a BA top 100 prospect with Tampa as a 3b.  Durbin is an elite 3b that played 2b throughout the bulk of his MiLB career with the Yankees and Brewers.  Hes likely only playing 3b because 2b in Milwaukee is spoken for.

Durbin has said he’s happy yo go play 2b.  The last time Breslow ignored that offer was disastrous (albeit dramatically different). I think the Sox restore each player to their MiLB position, but only because Mead at 2b looks really questionable…

Moving one of the best defensive 3rd basemen in MLB makes little to know sense. And then replacing him with a Devers glove makes less than no sense.

[notin]

1 minute ago, UtahSox said:

Unfortunately I think ATL does…. 

Do they?

They need a SS.  

Elder has NOT been the same pitcher since his All Star rookie season in 2022, and his limited starts since have not been due to injury, but rather failing to make the major league rotation.  Elder is just depth.  If they keep him, it’s most likely because they have a tendency to burn out young arms quickly there..

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

But there is nothing wrong with getting excited about that unknown…

I get excited having pancakes for breakfast, so I have no problem on what makes anyone excited.

[notin]

3 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Moving one of the best defensive 3rd basemen in MLB makes little to know sense. And then replacing him with a Devers glove makes less than no sense.

And if Breslow did that last year, he might not need another bat this year…

[notin]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I get excited having pancakes for breakfast, so I have no problem on what makes anyone excited.

Now imagine if those pancakes were ranked in the top five by Pancakes America and had a high ceiling and high floor as a shortstop due to their defense…

[UtahSox]

3 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Moving one of the best defensive 3rd basemen in MLB makes little to know sense. And then replacing him with a Devers glove makes less than no sense.

I agree they aren’t moving Durbin to 2nd for Mead but maybe for another player. The idea that Craig can still add a bat that plays virtually any position lessens leverage in negotiations. 

3B: move Durbin to 2nd, Mead to DH

SS: easy to see

2B: Mead to DH

DH: keep mead @2b, Durbin @ 3rd

LF: easy to see

C: easy to see

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, notin said:

Now imagine if those pancakes were ranked in the top five by Pancakes America and had a high ceiling and high floor as a shortstop due to their defense…

I believe my pancake mix is ranked in the top 5. That's what makes me so excited.

[southpaw777]

2 hours ago, notin said:

I can understand that, but I doubt it’s the plan.  Unless the Sox do something bizarre like realize back in 2018-19 season in the Australian Baseball League, a 17yo Curtis Mead spent two full innings in left field for the Adelaide Bite, successfully registering a put out on his only chance, and this bit of history is enough to qualify Mead to replace Duran and start in left field.

But I think he takes 3b for now…

It was mentioned that LF could be possible for Mead. I’m ok with that too. If anything, I’d go get Pena to play SS if the price isn’t ridiculous. Hold the place for Arias. He’s cheap and might not cost as much as some others.

honestly, at this point, starting pitching should be the focus.

[UtahSox]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

Do they?

They need a SS.  

Elder has NOT been the same pitcher since his All Star rookie season in 2022, and his limited starts since have not been due to injury, but rather failing to make the major league rotation.  Elder is just depth.  If they keep him, it’s most likely because they have a tendency to burn out young arms quickly there..

Yeah, my opinion is he’s still a guy that has started 20 games for them this year, under four ERA, and eats innings which everybody needs in August and September. Marcelo stock has never been lower. You don’t take that kind of risk in the middle of a pennant race. 

[Old Red]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

Whats your point? People always get excited about hyped up prospects, especially when the hype comes from sources like Baseball America that are outside the Sox organization.

Great for you that you don’t buy into prospect hype.  Not sure why you think that anyone who does is obviously your intellectual inferior…

NNN. Huh? OMG Basaball America how could I be so wrong to question the end all NO all? As usual, and right on cue your analysis is way off base, but that’s why you’re NNN. You guys like to live on hype, and false hope, and I don’t when it comes to Suspects, and nothing more to it than that. Intellectual inferiority is probably just a guilty conscience on your part, but it certainly wasn’t even a thought on mine.🤔

[southpaw777]

1 hour ago, JBontheMonstah said:

I feel like a SS is off the table between Arias and Story. Only way we get a SS is if they find a way to move Story to Atlanta or something and then Arias in a trade for a SP to replace early.

Pena is available thru 2027 I believe. He’s cheap too. Perfect place holder. Come 2028 Story will be gone and Arias will have the spot…if all goes well.