Brewers Trade Thornburg to Red Sox for 3 Players

WISCONSIN -- The Milwaukee Brewers have made their first trade of the offseason, dealing relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg to the Boston Red Sox for three players.

In return, the Brewers acquire major league first-baseman/third baseman Travis Shaw, 22-year-old shortstop prospect Mauricio Dubon and 21-year-old pitching prospect Josh Pennington.

Thornburg, 27, enjoyed a renaissance of sorts with the 2016 Brewers, compiling a 2.55 earned run average, 8 wins against 5 losses in 67 innings pitched.

He struck out 90 batters and notched 13 saves.

Thornburg broke into the majors in 2012 after serving as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues.

When starting pitching didn't work out for Thornburg, he was converted into a relief pitcher, and really hit his stride in late 2015 into 2016.

In Dubon, Fangraphs says he’s a strong contact hitter who is expected to remain a shortstop and might even add a little punch as he develops (age-22 season next year). He’s the kind of prospect who doesn’t make waves when the deal is done, but emerges a year or two down the road.

Pennington spent 2016 in low A-ball, compiling a 5-3 record with a 2.86 earned run average in 56 innings pitched.

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