Red Sox Don’t Wait-Trade For Thornton

The Red Sox didn't wait for the trade deadline to add to their bullpen. The Sox have acquired lefty Matt Thornton from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Portland Seadogs young outfielder Brandon Jacobs.

Thornton will step into the role Andrew Miller had until that foot injury earlier in the week that will require season ending surgery.

Thornton is 36-years-old. His ERA is 3.86 in 40 appearances for the White Sox. Lefty hitters are batting just .173 against him. His fastball averages about 94 MPH.

Brandon Jacobs was a 10th round draft pick in 2009. He was climbing through the Sox farm system, just recently promoted to double-A Portland. He is considered a mid-level prospect. He is also a player that needed to be on a 40-man roster at the end of the year or would become a rule 5 player available to other teams. That was problematic for the Sox because they have several young prospects they may need to protect in the off season.