The Red Sox received the young infielder from the Washington Nationals on Saturday in exchange for lefty starter. The deal, reported Saturday evening, sends Mead, a prospect in his mid-20s prospect, from their farm system to Boston. Mead, noted as a notable young player, batted strongly while racking up dinger count in Triple-A last season, entering his age-25 season. The trade strengthens Boston's two bag tandem while Washington gains a left-handed starter for its pitching ranks. Boston's front office has been noisy on the deal circuit, looking to boost versatility across the diamond. Those in the know say that Mead brings a compact swing and clean hands that match how Boston wants to handle its reserve bench. On the other side, adding a starter addresses a gap the team has been hoping to patch for weeks. The two clubs has commented publicly on long-term plans for the talents. For now, the focus turns to spring results, where the 24 players will try to earn spots. Takeaway: Boston gets room to grow, Washington gets pitching relief, and the game keeps an eye on how both develop.