Padres acquire righty Maurer for Smith

The Padres sent Seth Smith and the final two years on his contract ($12.75 million) to the Mariners in the deal. There's also a $7 million club option for 2017 with a $250,000 buyout.

Smith essentially became expendable after Preller's dizzying trading spree earlier this month when he added outfielders Matt Kemp (Dodgers), Wil Myers (Rays) and Justin Upton (Braves), and with several incumbent outfielders already on the roster.

In Maurer, the Padres get a hard-throwing 24-year-old who has started and pitched in relief in his career but might fit best -- in the short term -- in the team's bullpen plans.

That will all be determined in Spring Training, Preller said.

CLE@SEA: Maurer fans two in perfect relief appearance

6/28/14: Brandon Maurer strikes out two in his perfect relief appearance in the 8th inning against the Indians

"That's [versatility] part of the attraction," he said. "We've seen him be successful in the Minor Leagues as a starter and we saw the success as a reliever in the second half last year. It's a big body, he's got velocity with the fastball, a good slider and a good changeup."

Maurer throws in the mid-90s, occasionally reaching the high 90s with his fastball. His acquisition comes one day after the team added another hard-throwing right-hander reliever in Shawn Kelley from the Yankees.

"This was to give [manager Bud Black and pitching coach Darren Balsley] some options," Preller said. "I think the versatility really stood out for us."

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Padres acquire righty Maurer for Smith