The Red Sox received infielder from the Washington club on the weekend in return for lefty starter. The trade, first reported that night, sends Mead, young infielder, from their farm system to the Red Sox. Mead, noted as a top prospect, batted strongly while racking up dinger count in the highest farm tier this past year, entering his age-25 season. The trade solidifies Boston's two bag tandem while Washington picks up a left arm for its hurlers. The Red Sox brass has been noisy on the swap scene, aiming to improve flexibility across the carded spots. Sources flag that Mead brings strong bat and clean hands that fit how the club wants to run its reserve bench. On the other side, adding a starter addresses a hole the team has been hoping to close for a stretch. Neither side has commented publicly on future fit for the players involved. For now, the focus moves to spring results, where the fresh faces will try to break camp. Lookahead: Boston gets room to grow, Washington gets pitching relief, and the league watches how both pay off.