Why Red Sox are Trading Connelly Early to the Nationals originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No one was really surprised that the Boston Red Sox made a trade to improve their MLB infield.
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Getting Curtis Mead from the Washington Nationals on Saturday night was a logical deal for the Red Sox. The surprise was that Boston was willing to deal Connelly Early.
That’s the swap, though, a 1-for-1 move that ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported on Saturday night.
When contenders make trades for big league help, they often deal from their minor league depth.
In this case, though, the Red Sox sent an arm that has already begun to prove himself at the MLB level, giving up Early from their rotation of the future in order to secure Mead.
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Why did the Red Sox trade Connelly Early?
There are a bunch of factors at play, and most of them are quite logical.
For one, Early isn’t helping right now. He’s on the Injured List with elbow issues, which never feel like a great sign.
Boston also has a lot of pitching depth. The major league rotation has been solid and is pretty full, and the Red Sox have at least a few pitchers rising through the minors that look like strong future starters at the MLB level.
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Add in the fact that Mead fills both a present and future need for Boston, and it’s not that crazy.
Early is 24 and has a bright future, yes, but Mead is 25 and has broken out this season.
“Although arms of Early’s ilk rarely get dealt so early in their careers, Boston regards Mead as an increasingly rare commodity: a right-handed bat with impact potential,” Passan wrote.
Mead has an .852 OPS with 17 home runs in 87 games. He was a previously highly regarded prospect who scuffled a bit, but this is a sign Boston believes the breakout is a reflection of his real talent.
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It cost Early, but the Red Sox lineup just got better, and they’re hoping that’s true for years to come, which would make the price worth it.