RED SOX LAND LEFTY RELIEVER THORNTON
The Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Matt Thornton and cash from the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Brandon Jacobs.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox get the talented left-handed reliever they've been missing from their 'pen for a while. Thornton throws hard and is quite capable of pitching late in games. He has experience as both a closer and eighth-inning setup man, but will probably be used as an elite situational lefty in Boston (since {P Koji Uehara} appears to have nailed down the ninth inning, at least for now).
What does it give the Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have been a major disappointment so far in 2013, and Thornton becomes the first casualty of what may be a mass exodus out of the South Side of Chicago. Jacobs is an interesting prospect coming to the Pale Hose system, as he has the prodigious power the ChiSox usually prefer. He may be earmarked for left field down the road, which may make {P Dayan Viciedo} a full-time DH (eventually).
Fantasy impact
Thornton should see more opportunities for holds now that he has been moved to a contender, but his fantasy value remains intact for the most part. Jacobs could move more quickly in the White Sox system if he proves he can handle Double-A pitching. He should now be on the keeper-league radar.
