Should We Buy or Should We Sell Now - Trade Deadline 2026

[Smithian]

I personally like Gavin Fien, Ronny Cruz, and Devin Fitz-Gerald. They’ve struggled a bit after early challenge promotions, but overall

Fords track record gives me patience there. And when we made that trade, we didn’t expect to be sniffing .500 and for the bullpen to matter.

Bennett looks rough.

I humbly submit turning a low prospect for a few months of Curtis Mead slugging and ultimately into Connelly Early as a good trade from the summer

[Slateman]

I humbly submit turning a low prospect for a few months of Curtis Mead slugging and ultimately into Connelly Early as a good trade from the summer

I mean, I think he lost this trade too. Or at least didnt get as much value as he could have

[welch]

.240-.250 is major league average in today's game. And his catching seems fine.

All depends on his catching. A weak defensive catcher hitting .240-.250 can't make it.

***

I like Mead a lot, and House might not be ready, but this is the sort of trade the Nats need to make right now. Next? Get a respectable reliever. Not a star closer, but someone better than Palmquist-etc pitchers who should not pitch in the majors.

[IdahoNat]

It is a rare MLB for MLB player trade near the deadline, and makes me think of the famous Pena for Ted Lilly trade (I know that was a three team trade but same idea). I would have thought it might have been Garcia that would have been traded in this scenario but I suppose it's less risky to put House in the lineup again with more MLB experience than Morales or Ortiz. It's still a big risk, because they've essentially given the fourth best player on the offense for a pitcher with a lot of upside but with injury issues.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I mean, I think he lost this trade too. Or at least didnt get as much value as he could have

I will say that the trade is more even than the reviews so far. Mead has plenty of  control and should hit like Ken Harrelson / Rico Petrocelli (for old timers) / Mike Napoli in Fenway. It'll be interesting to see where they hide him defensively.  Early is a major leaguer, but near the top of the rotation for a contender hype is not right.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

7 games before the trade deadline. 3 vs Blue Jays, 4 @ Barves. When will management decide which direction?

We have the tie-breaker  against the D-backs. They are 55-51. We are tied with the Pirates at 54-52. Card are 53-52. 

[tomterp]

I believe Dmitri Young hit 300 pounds while active, so the bar is set pretty high

Pretty sure Dmitri could roll off the couch tomorrow and pick up where he left off, spraying liners all over the place.

[NatsLSU]

I mean, I think he lost this trade too. Or at least didnt get as much value as he could have

I think you need to find a new team buddy. All you do is crap on this franchise. Are you ever happy? I like to pretend you’re just a brilliant troll.

[Slateman]

I think you need to find a new team buddy. All you do is crap on this franchise. Are you ever happy? I like to pretend you’re just a brilliant troll.

No one should be happy about trading a 25 year old 134 wRC+ for a guy we literally had on the roster 6 months ago. We damn sure shouldn't have give him up so early the team that has been the most desperate for a right handed hitting infielder all offseason and season. Most especially since Boston has the ONE thing we've desperately needed all season in middle relievers.

Toboni got caught with his pants down. These were the traded Rizzo made that brought a title to DC.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

No one should be happy about trading a 25 year old 134 wRC+ for a guy we literally had on the roster 6 months ago. We damn sure shouldn't have give him up so early the team that has been the most desperate for a right handed hitting infielder all offseason and season. Most especially since Boston has the ONE thing we've desperately needed all season in middle relievers.

Toboni got caught with his pants down. These were the traded Rizzo made that brought a title to DC.

He turned what is essentially couch cushion change into Connelly Early. How anybody could be upset with this trade is beyond me? I’ve been very critical of Toboni but we dealt Mead and immediately scored 10 runs. The guy that replaced him had two doubles. Go back and read what you wrote about Mead when you didn’t think he would be as good as Tena after we picked him up. Now you’re talking about him as though he’s irreplaceable. The same thing can happen with House. Give it time brother. Trust me, I get being upset over Mead but had I told you at the beginning of the season we could get Early for Mead you’d laugh me off the board here.

[Slateman]

He turned what is essentially couch cushion change into Connelly Early. How anybody could be upset with this trade is beyond me? I’ve been very critical of Toboni but we dealt Mead and immediately scored 10 runs. The guy that replaced him had two doubles. Go back and read what you wrote about Mead when you didn’t think he would be as good as Tena after we picked him up. Now you’re talking about him as though he’s irreplaceable. The same thing can happen with House. Give it time brother. Trust me, I get being upset over Mead but had I told you at the beginning of the season we could get Early for Mead you’d laugh me off the board here.

Its been established that House fan hit lefties. Mead could hit righties and lefties. Hes a top 30 bat. We just traded him for a 3/4. Toboni should have gotten a lot more out of a team as desperate as Boston

[Natsinpwc]

Wow you went from a top 50 bat to a top 30 bat overnight!  Let me buy that stock! 

Mead had a great start and then cooled off.  And then rallied a bit.  His career he is 98 OPS plus. And not a particularly good fielder and doesn’t seem to really have a position. What are the chances he maintains his hitting the rest of this year and beyond? I think maybe 40/60.

Team needs pitching and we got a good pitcher with a few years of control. Have to give up something to get soemthing and we have a glut of infield prospects in the minor leagues if House doesn’t pan out   

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Its been established that House fan hit lefties. Mead could hit righties and lefties. Hes a top 30 bat. We just traded him for a 3/4. Toboni should have gotten a lot more out of a team as desperate as Boston

Mead's career was knocking on heavens door before he was traded here. Mead couldn't hit anybody so I have no clue how he could improve and become a top 50 bat but its now established at 23-years old that House is just what he is?

[imref]

He turned what is essentially couch cushion change into Connelly Early. How anybody could be upset with this trade is beyond me? I’ve been very critical of Toboni but we dealt Mead and immediately scored 10 runs. The guy that replaced him had two doubles. Go back and read what you wrote about Mead when you didn’t think he would be as good as Tena after we picked him up. Now you’re talking about him as though he’s irreplaceable. The same thing can happen with House. Give it time brother. Trust me, I get being upset over Mead but had I told you at the beginning of the season we could get Early for Mead you’d laugh me off the board here.

Actually, Toboni turned a 2025 6th round draft pick (currently the White Sox' #15 per baseball pipeline), into a 2023 5th round pick who is a major league starter. 

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Actually, Toboni turned a 2025 6th round draft pick (currently the White Sox' #15 per baseball pipeline), into a 2023 5th round pick who is a major league starter. 

Well sure but Boston Smith was a total unknown, correct? Like he had never even shown up or something? It was strange.

[imref]

Well sure but Boston Smith was a total unknown, correct? Like he had never even shown up or something? It was strange.

i'm just hoping Early ends up being as good as the last pitcher traded for Mead.

[Slateman]

Wow you went from a top 50 bat to a top 30 bat overnight!  Let me buy that stock! 

Mead had a great start and then cooled off.  And then rallied a bit.  His career he is 98 OPS plus. And not a particularly good fielder and doesn’t seem to really have a position. What are the chances he maintains his hitting the rest of this year and beyond? I think maybe 40/60.

Team needs pitching and we got a good pitcher with a few years of control. Have to give up something to get soemthing and we have a glut of infield prospects in the minor leagues if House doesn’t pan out   

Curtis Mead is currently 24th in wRC+ amongst hitters with at least 300 plate appearances.

started off hot, cooled, then got hot again? Oh you mean like just about every hitter? That's such a silly way to evaluate a player. Wood and Abrams have both done the same.

Team does need pitching. It needs more than a 3/4 on the IL for elbow inflammation. This deal should have, at a minimum, included Tyron Guerrero or Justin Slaten.

[Slateman]

Mead's career was knocking on heavens door before he was traded here. Mead couldn't hit anybody so I have no clue how he could improve and become a top 50 bat but its now established at 23-years old that House is just what he is?

House was drafted by Rizzo.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

House was drafted by Rizzo.

I get Rizzo wasn't the best ever when it came to drafting but that shouldn't just disqualify a guy for life lol

[imref]

Olney says the Red Sox are searching for a shortstop.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Olney says the Red Sox are searching for a shortstop.

Search elsewhere.

[Slateman]

Olney says the Red Sox are searching for a shortstop.

Zach Neto is probably their best option. However, Nasim Nunez would slot in perfectly ....

[Slateman]

I get Rizzo wasn't the best ever when it came to drafting but that shouldn't just disqualify a guy for life lol

It puts him in the camp of guilty until proven innocent.

[Natsinpwc]

Curtis Mead is currently 24th in wRC+ amongst hitters with at least 300 plate appearances.

started off hot, cooled, then got hot again? Oh you mean like just about every hitter? That's such a silly way to evaluate a player. Wood and Abrams have both done the same.

Team does need pitching. It needs more than a 3/4 on the IL for elbow inflammation. This deal should have, at a minimum, included Tyron Guerrero or Justin Slaten.

We will see where he ends up this year and beyond and you can’t defend his defensive stats. Also he’s slow. Everyone knows it’s a good trade. You’re just trolling. At least I think you are.  Enough of this discussion for me.

[imref]

Law says the Red Sox are likely to move Mead to 2nd.