Three days and two games into the regular season, the Washington Nationals have acquired an infielder in exchange for a catcher in a trade with the Chicago White Sox
Three days and two games into the 2026 season, the Washington Nationals have made their first trade during the regular season in another depth move.
The team announced the acquisition of infielder Curtis Mead in exchange for catcher Boston Smith. The move comes three days after the Chicago White Sox announced that Mead was designated for assignment after being out of minor league options and not making the 2026 Opening Day roster.
In 488 major league plate appearances, Mead has hit .238/.300/.317. with five career home runs and 31 RBIs with a .617 OPS. Originally signed as an international free agent out of Australia by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021 - also now Nationals general manager Ani Kilambi's first season as assistant general manager with the Phillies - Mead spent time with both the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox following a pair of trades and limited major league appearances. How he impacts Washington's depth is the biggest question mark with primarily Triple A experience.
In 90 games between the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox, Mead posted ten doubles, three home runs, 19 RBIs, a triple, five stolen bases, 15 walks and 26 runs scored.
Smith leaves the organization after being selected 171st overall in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Wright State where he became one of the best hitters in program history, along with the Horizon League as a senior. But with Keibert Ruiz getting the nod as the starter and the team since acquiring Harry Ford, now in Triple A, the Nationals were able to pivot in another direction with the long-term outlook at the position a bit different in the six months since the draft.
To make room following the move, the Nationals announced that left handed pitcher Jake Eder has been designated for assignment. In three appearances and 6.2 innings in spring training, Eder allowed six hits and four runs, though was responsible for a pair. He also tossed six strikeouts and six walks across 132 total pitches. He arrived in the organization after being traded back in July 2025 in exchange for a pair of prospects, splitting time between Double and Triple A to end the regular season.
The Washington Nationals fell on Saturday afternoon, marking their first loss of the 2026 regular season, as they take on the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon for another 2:20 PM ET opening pitch.