Red Sox Trade For Reliever Tyler Thornburg, Upgrading The Bullpen

© 2106 Jordan Long

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The Boston Red Sox made a big splash by trading for starting pitcher Chris Sale on Tuesday. The Red Sox weren’t done wheeling and dealing on that day. They acquired reliever Tyler Thornburg from the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Travis Shaw, infield prospect Mauricio Dubon, and Single-A pitcher Josh Pennington. How will this help the Boston Red Sox bullpen?

Thornburg was the setup man and the Brewers’ closer last season. He appeared in 67 innings for Milwaukee. His ERA was a solid 2.15 and he had 90 strikeouts. Thornburg became the Brewers’ closer when Jeremy Jeffress was dealt to the Texas Rangers on July 31st. In 21 save opportunities Thornburg saved 13 games and had 8 blown saves. His record was 8-5. The Brewers saw in his limited time as a closer, Thornburg wasn’t going to be the closer of the future. They wanted to trade him and get something back in return.

Boston was looking to upgrade their bullpen. They already have a closer in Craig Kimbrel who saved 31 games in 33 opportunities with an era of 3.40. They were hoping to land a setup man and they did with this move. According to ESPN, Red Sox Manager John Farrell said, “We feel like we’re getting a guy at the absolute right time.”

The Red Sox are an enhanced team. Thornburg will be able to come in the game for the 8th inning and strike batters out with his curveball. This will allow him to turn the game over to Craig Kimbrel to save the game in the 9th inning.

The only downside of this deal is how many home runs Thornburg gives up. Last year opponents hit six home runs off him. Thornburg must improve his pitching location and keep the ball low in the zone. .A pitch up in the zone or in the middle of the plate will be gone. If that happens, the Red Sox may not trust him to be the setup man to Craig Kimbrel and will have to use somebody else in the 8th inning out of the pen.

The Boston Red Sox are well on their way to returning to the playoffs. The starting pitching should be one of the best in baseball by adding Chris Sale. The addition of Thornburg is an improvement for the bullpen. These were excellent moves for a team that is close to a World Series trip.

What do you think of the Boston Red Sox adding Tyler Thornburg to the bullpen?