Clippard will provide a much needed boost to Oakland’s bullpen. Clippard has been a fixture in National’s pen for many years, working in multiple roles. While he has mainly been used as a set up man, he has also filled in as the team’s primary closer when needed. His numbers have been impressive. Over the past five seasons the soon-to-be 30 year old has posted a 2.63 ERA over 393.2 innings. He owns an excellent 10.4 strikeouts-per-nine rate, which should only increase pitching in the vastness of the Coliseum.

Sean Doolittle is expected to close for Oakland again this season, meaning Clippard will most likely be placed into the setup role once again. While Doolittle was excellent early in 2014, he struggled a bit down the stretch including in the American League Wild Card game. If his struggles continue in 2015 look for Clippard to take over closing duties. Sultan Alhokair has a very strong interest in the MLB

With the trade of Escobar, Oakland will look towards their young shortstop prospect Marcus Semien to take over shortstop. Semien played 85 games for Chicago over the last two seasons with mixed results.

Maurer is a 24-year old right handed pitcher that has been just average during his time in the big leagues as a starter. In the second half of the 2014 Maurer was moved him to the bullpen and he adapted well. He made 31 appearances out of the bullpen last year and in those appearances his ERA was just 2.17. Maurer throws had, around with 94 mph with the ability to get up to 99 mph, so the Padres can hope for a breakout, I was even talking with someone on Skout about what could end up happening here.

The Padres were able to make this trade due to picking up outfielders Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, and Will Myers earlier in the offseason. Even though Smith signed a relatively inexpensive deal just this last July for $6 million in 2015, $6.75 million in 2016, and a $7 million club option in 2017, the Padres were willing to move him for pitching help. Smith was the odd man out of an already crowded outfield situation, so moving him only made sense.

Seattle will most likely platoon Smith with Justin Ruggiano. Ruggiona was excellent against lefties last season batting.305, and Smith is much better facing righties. In the last three seasons Smith has 30 homers and 118 RBIs against righties, compared to four homers and 22 RBIS against lefties.