Boston Red Sox trade Travis Shaw to Brewers for setup man Tyler Thornburg

The Boston Red Sox made a trade today, landing former Milwaukee Brewer closer Tyler Thornburg in exchange for third baseman Travis Shaw.

The Boston Red Sox had been looking for their man to fill a hole in the bullpen, and they’ve found their guy. Tyler Thornburg is coming to Boston by way of a trade.

First reported by Evan Drellich of The Boston Herald, the trade also involved Mauricio Dubon, a Red Sox farm system member. According to Alex Speier of The Globe, the Boston has parted ways with corner infielder Travis Shaw. Also part of the trade was Josh Pennington, of the Lowell Spinners.

The move could possibly be opening up a spot for Pablo Sandoval to play third base, who has been otherwise positionless with the acceleration of certain prospects.

Thornburg was 8-5 last season with a 2.15 ERA in 67 games. He also split time as closer, registering 13 saves in 67.0 innings pitched. He’s only 28, so he has an opportunity to develop more.

Dubon was drafted in 2013 and has bounced around the minors, and was listed as Bostons No. 12 prospect. He batted .339 in AA this past season in 62 games with Portland. He’s only 22.

Shaw played two seasons in Boston, splitting between first and third base over his career. In 145 games he hit 16 HR’s and 71 RBI, with a .242 average and a .306 OBP. The “Mayor of Ding Dong City” was projected to earn less than $1 million next season.

Josh Pennington did well in the New York Penn League, going 5-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 13 games (all started). In 56.2 IP he struck out 49. He was also Bostons #22 prospect in their system.

The trade comes during the Winter Meetings, and is the first “big” move that the Red Sox have made this offseason.