Chicago White Sox Trade Infielder to Washington Nationals

The White Sox send prospect Curtis Mead to the Nationals in exchange for minor-league catcher Boston Smith.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:18pm

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The Chicago White Sox have made an early-season trade, sending infielder Curtis Mead to the Washington Nationals in exchange for minor-league catcher Boston Smith. Mead, who was designated for assignment ahead of Opening Day, will now get a fresh start with the Nationals, while the White Sox acquire a promising young hitter in Smith who has yet to make his professional debut.

Why it matters

This trade represents an opportunity for both teams to address organizational needs. The White Sox clear a roster spot, while the Nationals add a player with MLB experience to their system. It also highlights the White Sox's willingness to be active in the trade market as they look to improve their roster and farm system.

The details

In the deal, the White Sox are sending infielder Curtis Mead to the Nationals. Mead, 24, has played 41 games in the majors for the White Sox over the past two seasons, but has struggled to consistently produce at the plate, posting a career .617 OPS. In return, the White Sox are acquiring 23-year-old catcher Boston Smith, who was a sixth-round pick by the Nationals in last year's draft. Smith had an impressive college career at Wright State, hitting .330 with 26 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 59 games.

  • The trade was announced on March 29, 2026, ahead of the White Sox's second game of the season.

The players

Curtis Mead

A 24-year-old infielder who has played 41 games in the majors for the White Sox over the past two seasons, but has struggled to consistently produce at the plate.

Boston Smith

A 23-year-old catcher who was a sixth-round pick by the Nationals in last year's draft. He had an impressive college career at Wright State, hitting .330 with 26 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 59 games.

Chris Getz

The general manager of the Chicago White Sox, who is staying active in making roster moves ahead of the team's second game of the season.

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What they’re saying

“Giving away Mead is a tough loss for a player with promise, but he was designated for assignment ahead of Opening Day as one of the final roster cuts for Chicago.”

— Vincent Pensabene, Author

What’s next

It will be intriguing to see how this trade plays out for both sides in the future, as Smith has yet to make his professional debut and Mead looks to find more consistent success at the major league level with the Nationals.

The takeaway

This trade represents an opportunity for both the White Sox and Nationals to address organizational needs, with the White Sox clearing a roster spot and the Nationals adding a player with MLB experience to their system. It also highlights the White Sox's willingness to be active in the trade market as they look to improve their roster and farm system.