The Boston Red Sox were lucky to get ahead of the trade deadline market with their July 25 acquisition of Curtis Mead from the Washington Nationals. But un-luckily, he was hit by a pitch that fractured his wrist in his Red Sox debut.
Boston initially reported that x-rays of Mead's wrist showed no damage but a later MRI revealed the fracture. On June 29, Mead saw a hand specialist to determine if he would need season-ending surgery, which he does not (first reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive). He's expected to recover in six-eight weeks, which would place his return in the middle-to-end of September.
Mead was supposed to be Boston's offensive solution in the infield as he's hit 17 home runs this season, which ranks second on the team between Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu. Now, the Red Sox are essentially back at square one — they need to replace the production they lost with another trade deadline addition.
The Sox were still in the market for another bat even before Mead's injury, but the need for extra help has only increased. Hopefully, Mead can return to action late in September and continue the breakout he was on (.361/.466/.639 in July) into the postseason, but Boston needs an impact bat in the meantime.
Curtis Mead doesn't need season-ending wrist surgery, but his injury still means Red Sox need more offensive help
The pool of available players has only thinned since the Red Sox's Mead trade. Shea Langeliers has fallen injured, Hunter Goodman has been confirmed unavailable, the Minnesota Twins are buying so Ryan Jeffers is out of the question and Zach Neto's market will be insanely competitive and expensive. The Cardinals, Giants and Marlins have infielders who could help the Sox, like Iván Herrera, Luis Arráez, Otto Lopez and more.
While the Red Sox avoided the worst for Mead, they ended up trading Connelly Early for someone who is now unable to help the playoff push. Mead and another infield bat, plus some bullpen help would've been the best possible outcome after the deadline, but we can't always get what we want.
Mead's absence plus Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer and Isiah Kiner-Falefa's injuries have only incresed the Red Sox's desperation to upgrade their middle infield. Which player they end up with, if any, remains to be seen, but at least they can expect Mead back with a few weeks left in the season to complement the other middle infielder (or catcher) the Sox hope to land.
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