OXON HILL, Md. — The Boston Red Sox acquired the bullpen set-up man they wanted, acquiring right-hander Tyler Thornburg from the Milwaukee Brewers in a package that included infielder Travis Shaw.

The deal was announced Tuesday and was the first trade at baseball’s winter meetings.

Milwaukee also received minor league infielder Mauricio Dubon, minor league right-hander Josh Pennington and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The 28-year-old Thornburg will become Boston’s eighth-inning guy, setting up closer Craig Kimbrel for the American League East champions. Thornburg was 8-5 with 13 saves and a 2.15 ERA in 67 games for the Brewers, striking out 90 in 67 innings. After becoming Milwaukee’s full-time closer on Aug. 1, he went 4-1 with 11 saves and a 1.85 ERA.

Shaw, 26, hit .242 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs last season. He mostly played third base, and also saw time at first.

The 22-year-old Dubon hit a combined .323 and scored 101 runs between Class A Greenville and Double-A Portland. Pennington, 21, was 5-3 with a 2.86 ERA with Class A Lowell.


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