The Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox have made a deal. Not a deal of huge proportions, but the Red Sox did acquire former All-Star reliever Matt Thornton along with cash considerations in exchange for minor league outfielder Brandon Jacobs.
The Red Sox have added a lefty arm for the stretch drive while the White Sox have officially begun their tear down. Thornton is 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA, 18 holds and 21 strikeouts over 40 relief appearances this season. He is 31-35 with a 3.28 ERA and 164 holds in 512 career games with the White Sox.
Matt Thornton ranks among Chicago’s all-time relief leaders in appearances (1st), holds (1st), strikeouts (2nd), wins (T3rd) and strikeouts (5th). At 37, he probably doesn’t have a whole lot left in the tank, but he’s a good acquisition for the Red Sox hopes in the LOADED AL East this season.
He gives the Red Sox some much needed help in the pen.
Brandon Jacobs is hitting with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 46 runs scored and 10 stolen bases over 84 games between Class A Salem and Class AA Portland (three games). He’s a career .265 hitter (381-1,438) with 47 homers, 216 RBI and 61 stolen bases over five minor-league seasons in the Boston organization. He was selected in the 10th round of the 2009 Draft out of Parkview (Ga.) High School. He was rated by MLB.com as the 11th-best prospect in the Red Sox organization. Still, he won’t get to the bigs till 2015 or 2016 at earliest.
White Sox GM Rick Hahn described Jacobs as “a toolsy player with upside that projects to be impact every day outfielder if everything clicks.” The Red Sox will pick up the remaining $3.5 million on Thornton’s contract.
The White Sox have officially commenced the sell off; the first step towards a badly needed rebuild. They will make a corresponding roster move prior to Game 1 of tomorrow’s doubleheader at Philadelphia.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He does a radio spot twice a week for 95.7 The Fan. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook