Seth Smith for Brandon Maurer trade is FRESH!

The trade that brings pitcher Brandon Maurer to the Padres from Seattle for OF Seth Smith looks like a win-win.  The Mariners are getting more of a proven piece in Seth Smith, but the Padres might just be getting a player with more upside in Maurer.  I've read conflicting reports theorizing that Maurer may or may not get to start but he's sure to see time in the bullpen. I like this trade enough and even though the reviews have come back 100% fresh, it's done with a shoulder shrug.

Apologies to RottenTomatoes.com

Smith for Maurer trade: Win-win or big win? - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN
Add in that he's Padres property for five years, and this could end up as a buy-low/sell-high exercise to Preller's credit in very short order, an addition that could be almost as big a coup as getting Ross from the A's two years ago was.

Padres trade Seth Smith to Mariners for Brandon Maurer | Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports
The Padres, frankly, didn't need Smith as much as the Mariners did, so they'll take Maurer and hope his maturation comes at the right time. He had a 6.30 ERA in 2013 as a rookie, which was down to 4.65 in 2014, but that doesn't tell the entire story. Maurer transitioned into a relief role in June 2014, making 31 of his 38 appearances out of the bullpen. His bullpen ERA was 2.17 and his FIP was 1.85, which is quite good.

The Final Piece Departs | Padres Public
the idea that Maurer has the upside to turn into a shutdown late-inning guy, and Smith’s odd-man-out status, it’s hard not to appreciate the job Preller’s done turning over the roster while sticking to a (relatively) tight budget.

Mariners, Padres get together for boringly fair Smith-Maurer trade - CBSSports.com
I can only think of one way to describe this trade: boringly fair. It makes total sense for both sides and there's no clear winner, something everyone likes to crown immediately after a trade. Both teams filled a need by trading from depth. This is how trades are supposed to work.

Mariners acquire Seth Smith in exchange for Brandon Maurer - Lookout Landing
Of course this could backfire -- welcome to being buyers. Maurer is supremely talented, but he's still a reliever. It's a clear position of depth for the M's, and in a win-now window Carson Smith is, in theory, ready to step in and fill the gap. It's a classic swap with both sides dealing from positions of strength. It's fair, and it's something the M's can stomach, even if it's filling a self-inflicted hole.

Analysis: Maurer For Smith " CBS Seattle
To land Smith the M’s sacrificed a nice piece in Maurer, who broke through as a reliever in 2014 after struggling in multiple stints as a starter. Out of the bullpen, Maurer sits 93-98 mph with a four-seam fastball that shows good life up in the zone. His best secondary pitch is a slider that firmed up a year ago into a cutter-like offering that can induce swings and misses. The pitch was better in the past as a true slider that darted down and away from right-handed batters, but as-is remains a weapon.

Mariners get Seth Smith from Padres for Brandon Maurer | HardballTalk
On the flip side, Maurer is a nice long-term bullpen pickup for the vastly-improved Padres. He does have experience as a starter, but the Friars figure to keep him in relief, where he posted a 2.17 ERA and 38/5 K/BB ratio across 37 1/3 innings this past year with the M’s.

What the Padres Have, and Might Have, in Brandon Maurer | FOX Sports
Just by talent, Maurer is the more intriguing of the two players. With the Mariners, he frustrated as a starting pitcher, then flourished when bumped to relief. All of his stuff played up, and if the Padres keep Maurer in the bullpen, there's no reason to think he can't be a big help right away.