Red Sox players sad to see Connelly Early go, but excited to welcome Curtis Mead’s bat into the lineup - The Boston Globe

What the report says

The Boston Globe reported that Red Sox players reacted with mixed emotions after Boston traded lefthanded starter Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead. The deal, which players learned about Saturday night, came as the Red Sox were preparing for Sunday’s game against Toronto, a 6-1 Boston win. Payton Tolle, who developed alongside Early in the minors and majors, described the news as difficult but said it reflected the club’s push to improve after a recent turnaround.

Early had been a notable part of Boston’s staff, going 8-7 with a 3.24 ERA in 21 starts this season before landing on the injured list with elbow inflammation. The Globe noted that catcher Carlos Narváez remembered Early’s major league debut in West Sacramento on Sept. 9, 2025, when he struck out 11 over five scoreless innings against the Athletics, beginning a late-season run that included a postseason start at Yankee Stadium.

Boston’s return, Mead, is a righthanded infielder who brings needed offense. According to the Globe, he had 17 home runs, 48 RBIs and an .852 OPS in 87 games, mostly at third base for Washington, while also having experience around the infield. Interim manager Chad Tracy said the move was aimed at addressing gaps in run production by adding a power bat. Tracy’s current plan is for Caleb Durbin to remain at third while Mead sees time mainly at second.

The Globe also framed the trade as a sign of organizational confidence in lefthander Jake Bennett, another former Nationals player acquired in December. Bennett has a 2.58 ERA and 0.94 WHIP through 10 starts, giving Boston another controllable starter as it reshapes the roster.