Nationals acquire utility player Curtis Mead from White Sox

Washington sends catcher Boston Smith to Chicago in the trade.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented baseball players and equipment in the colors of the Nationals and White Sox, conveying the dynamic movement and strategy of a trade between the two teams.A trade between the Nationals and White Sox adds versatility and youth to both teams' rosters.Chicago Today

The Washington Nationals have acquired utility player Curtis Mead from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catcher Boston Smith. Mead, a 25-year-old from Australia, has played parts of three seasons in the majors, batting .238 with 5 home runs and 31 RBIs in 152 career games. The Nationals designated left-handed pitcher Jake Eder for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Why it matters

This trade provides the Nationals with additional versatility and power off the bench, as Mead can play multiple positions. For the rebuilding White Sox, the deal allows them to acquire a young catcher prospect in Smith who they can develop in their minor league system.

The details

Mead batted .233 with 3 home runs, a triple, 10 doubles and 19 RBIs in 90 total games for Tampa Bay and the White Sox last season. He hit .300 with 3 homers, 4 doubles and 9 RBIs in 15 Triple-A games in 2025. Smith was selected by the Nationals in the 6th round of the 2025 draft out of Wright State University, but has not yet appeared in a minor league game.

  • The trade was completed on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • Mead was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

The players

Curtis Mead

A 25-year-old utility player from Adelaide, Australia who was acquired by the Nationals from the White Sox. He has played parts of three MLB seasons, batting .238 with 5 home runs and 31 RBIs.

Boston Smith

A 23-year-old catcher who was selected by the Nationals in the 6th round of the 2025 MLB draft out of Wright State University. He has not yet appeared in a minor league game.

Jake Eder

A left-handed pitcher who was designated for assignment by the Nationals to make room on the 40-man roster for the acquisition of Mead.

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The takeaway

This trade represents a classic win-win scenario, with the Nationals adding a versatile bench piece in Mead to bolster their roster, while the rebuilding White Sox acquire a young catcher prospect in Smith who they can develop in their system.