The White Sox have made a notable move, bringing in catcher Boston Smith from the Nationals in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. This trade, confirmed by both teams, adds an intriguing dynamic to each roster.
Mead, who was recently designated for assignment after missing out on an Opening Day spot, heads to Washington. Meanwhile, to make room for Mead, the Nationals have designated left-hander Jake Eder for assignment.
Curtis Mead, once a top prospect with the Rays, joined the White Sox in the Adrian Houser trade last year. His stint with Chicago saw him struggle, posting a 64 wRC+ over 41 games. This spring, Mead hit .233 with two homers in 10 games but lost the final roster spot to outfielder Tristan Peters.
Mead’s journey began with the Phillies as a minor league free agent in 2018. A year later, he was traded to the Rays for future All-Star Cristopher Sanchez.
Mead made a significant impact in the minors, boasting a 142 wRC+ across three levels in 2021. His consistent performance earned him a spot as the Rays’ No. 2 prospect in 2023, right behind Taj Bradley.
Mead debuted with a respectable .253/.326/.349 slash line in 92 plate appearances. Despite his versatility, playing multiple infield positions, his time with the Rays in 2024 and 2025 was limited.
The Nationals have been busy reshaping their infield, recently acquiring Jorbit Vivas and Zack Short from the Yankees. Mead adds to this mix, though it remains uncertain if he’ll start with the big-league team or head to the minors. For the White Sox, the focus was more on finding an outfielder after Brooks Baldwin’s injury, but the Nationals needed depth in the infield.
Boston Smith, drafted 171st overall from Wright State, brings power to the plate with 26 home runs in his final college season. The 23-year-old is yet to make his minor league debut. With the White Sox, he joins a catching group featuring young talents Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero, with Reese McGuire currently backing up as Teel recovers from a hamstring strain.
Jake Eder, initially signed by the Marlins as an undrafted free agent in 2020, has had a winding career path. Traded to the White Sox for Jake Burger in 2023, he later moved to the Angels for cash in 2025.
Eder’s major league outings have been limited, posting a 4.91 ERA over 18 1/3 innings. His stint with Washington saw him struggle in the minors, allowing seven earned runs in seven innings.
Now, with his designation, Eder's next move remains to be seen.