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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."

Continued here:
Padres acquire righty Maurer for Smith

There have been upgrades and additions along the way: Chase Headley flipped a two-month audition into a four-year, $52 million contract, Nathan Eovaldi and Didi Gregorius are now on the roster as young, promising players on the rise, and left-hander Andrew Miller provides a dominant arm for the bullpen.

The Yankees have brought back other members of the '14 club in left-hander Chris Capuano and outfielder Chris Young, while trading for left-hander Justin Wilson. They'll also have Alex Rodriguez back on the roster following his season-long suspension.

For what it's worth, the Yanks' Pythagorean win-loss record was calculated to be 77-85 in 2014, so manager Joe Girardi deserves credit for a job well done. Will it be enough to bring back a similar roster, or -- as some rival executives believe -- are the Yankees gearing up to make yet another a big winter splash?

Here are the Yankees' 10 biggest questions as they head into 2015:

10. Do they need to hold their breath with Tanaka?

Two September starts -- a good one against the Blue Jays and a clunker against the Red Sox -- comprises all of the information that the Yankees have about where Tanaka is after rehabbing his partially torn right ulnar collateral ligament. It is better than nothing, of course, and the Yankees were pleased that Tanaka was able to snap off a few splitters against big leaguers and return to Japan healthy.

It's their hope that a few months of rest will permit Tanaka to recapture the form he showed in his first 17 starts of an All-Star season; if so, he should be the Yanks' ace. Chris Carpenter is a good example of a pitcher who continued to have success after a UCL tear, but the Yanks can't let their guard down. They know that any one pitch could be Tanaka's last of the year.

9. Can they count on CC Sabathia as a workhorse, and if not, who can be?

It's no secret that the Yankees worked Sabathia hard in his first four seasons, continuing to log miles after he was similarly pushed by the Indians and especially by the Brewers. Sabathia never complained; he loved having the ball in his palm, and he rewarded the Yanks with a World Series title and three All-Star selections.

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Yankees' 2015 questions begin with rotation

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THE transfer window will swing open again at midnight tonight - but one Celt refuses to even glance through it.

Leigh Griffiths is expected to be the target for yet another attempt by Hibs to lure him back to Easter Road.

The club attempting to clamber back into the Premier League believe the life-long Hibee is the man to fire them into the play offs - and beyond.

Hibs - who had Griffiths on loan when he first signed for Wolves - sounded out Celtic in the summer.

But they could not get anywhere near the wages the 24 year-old is on at Parkhead.

They proposed a temporary move, then came back for a second attempt in September during the emergency loan period.

But, both bids fell on stony ground, despite the fact Griffiths was struggling to get the game time under Ronny Deila he had enjoyed when Neil Lennon - who brought from Molineux in a 1million deal as the January transfer window was about to close - had provided him.

Griffiths has been ordered to get fitter and to become the 24-hour footballer Deila demands, altering his lifestyle as well as focusing on his fitness.

He has responded positively, and was rewarded with a start against Ross County at the weekend, a place he aims to keep for tomorrow's Glasgow derby against Partick Thistle.

So, while Deila has warned some fringe players will have to move out to make way for the new recruits he is attempting to bring in - Nadir Ciftci, Stuart Armstrong, Mix Diskerud and Max Power are among the names being mentioned - Griffiths is adamant he will still be here fighting for his place when the window closes on February 1.

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Leigh Griffiths slams the window shut on Celtic transfer talk

Evertons Seamus Coleman is viewed as a replacement for the erratic Rafael da Silva at Manchester United. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Getty Images

Manchester United hope to sign Seamus Coleman in the January window in a deal that would be worth at least 20m to Everton. United believe it is more likely the right-back can be bought in the summer but are exploring what would represent the considerable coup of acquiring the 26-year-old immediately.

Louis van Gaal wants to sign a right-back because the United manager has little faith in Rafael da Silva, the only established player in the position.

Two weeks ago Van Gaal left the 24-year-old Brazilian out of the squad for the 3-0 win over Liverpool, saying: Rafael is not injured. Last week he was fit but I have to select [on merit].

Da Silva can be unreliable and Van Gaal believes Coleman is more robust while being impressed with his pace, an attribute that would allow the Republic of Ireland international to slot into the managers wing-back system.

Related: Transfer window: 20 Premier League targets for January 2015

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Manchester United identify Evertons Seamus Coleman as transfer target

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As 2014 nears its end, Aston Villa will be among the many Premier League teams looking to start afresh in the new year. The most significant way to do that will be to take advantage of the winter transfer window at the start of 2015.

In recent years, the January window has been an underwhelming affair for Villa fans. The signings of the likes of Grant Holt, Simon Dawkins and Yacouba Sylla ultimately made little impact on Villas future. Not since the record-breaking singing of Darren Bent has Villa made a major acquisition in January.

This seasons window may not see Villa spend extravagantly, but it will be highly significant as the club is faced with a number of crucial decisions to make regarding the long-term future of someof their players.

Here are the major talking points for Aston Villa's upcoming winter transfer window.

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The uncertain futures of Villas captain and standout midfielder will be sure to induce plenty of anxiety around Villa Park this January. Both Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph will be out of contract in the summer and have been incessantly rumoured to be leaving Birmingham.

Negotiations with both players have stalled, leaving Villa in a difficult spot. Both are key members of the team who are the best options at their positions, but losing them for free over the summer would be a devastating blow.

In the case of Vlaar, Villa would be wise to bite the bullet and sell the defender this January. Vlaar is undoubtedly an excellent player, but his stock will never be higher after his success with the Dutch national team at this summer's World Cup.

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4 Talking Points for Aston Villa's January Transfer Window

Manassas, Va (PRWEB) December 31, 2014

The long wait is over for residents of Manassas, Virginia as Turners Service Co. now offers their SMART Home Automation service to Manassas and Northern Virginia residents. This beneficial feature has the ability to enhance home security along with heating and cooling systems.

Turners Service Co. is known to be one of the pioneering HVAC service-provider in Northern Virginia and nearby areas. Their existence for almost two decades has proved them to be one of the best in the industry of HVACs. Their quest for innovation is never ending and now, they present their existing clients and prospective clients with the SMART home automation service.

Home automation services give their users enhanced control over their home systems and devices. It would definitely be a smart choice to avail this service for those who want to manage their houses right at their fingertips. Using smartphones or tablets, install apps which could give unlimited access to a homes HVAC systems even remotely. Among those that could be controlled by the said apps are thermostats, energy meters, smart locks, sensors, and surveillance cameras. Basically, anybody who has the app installed becomes the boss and may adjust system settings and even access energy management data.

Even your security devices such as door locks and cameras could be easily controlled using SMART home automation. Leaving car keys inside automobiles may be a common problem but with home automation, one may lock or unlock doors even without keys. Unlimited access to surveillance cameras may also be obtained. One may setup the system in a way that the app would alert the individuals who have the app installed once motion is detected. With a feature like that, homeowners are well protected from theft.

With home automation, energy is efficiently managed and prevented from getting wasted. One doesnt need to go back home and setup their HVAC or surveillance systems as a single click in the app could take care of the situation. With SMART home automation, a mobile application is the sole solution to either simple or complicated HVAC or surveillance problems.

In terms of managing energy, SMART home automation does not disappoint. Just by looking at statistics readily prepared by the app, a homeowner could easily identify and strategize efficient ways to cool or heat their own homes in the least expensive ways possible. One may even plot schedules on when HVAC or security systems need to be operational. This has been possible through the data that the applications collect directly on a certain households consumption practices.

Home automation has a lot of benefits and maintenance is relatively very easy as everything has gone digital now. Glitches are easily fixed and problems undergo immediate troubleshooting. Give Turner's Service Co. a call and they would gladly help no matter how simple or complicated an issue is.

For further inquiries about smart home automation, give them a call at 703.361.0816.

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Turner's Service Co. Announces New SMART Home Automation Services to Manassas, VA Residents

During this holiday season, you've likely been busy gettingready for all the parties, activities and family moments ahead. To make sure your home is as prepared as you are, here are six home maintenance projects suited to the colder months of the year:

1. Replace Your Windows

Energy Star estimates that you can save between $130 and $470 a year on your energy bills by replacing your single-pane windows with double-paned windows. If you dont have the money to replace your existing windows -- they can cost at minimum $1,000 -- repairing them is a cost-effective alternative. (For related reading, see: Ways To Slash Your Home Energy Bill.)

2. Repair Your Roof

Another area for maintenance is your roof. If it snows, you may find yourself with a moisture problem in your attic, which can lead to mold and mildew. This is one project youll want to have done before it gets too cold, as it could prevent shingle cracking and breakage. Hire a roofer to inspect your roof as soon as possible this winter to ensure its in good condition.

Financially speaking, winter can be one of the best times to have your roof repaired or re-roofed, since it is the off season and you may be able to get a discount. If you only need a partial re-roofing, its probably more cost-effective to have your entire roof repaired. That way, youll pay for labor just once instead of paying again when other parts of your roof start to fail. (For related reading, see: Home Improvements That Really Pay Off.)

Roof image courtesy of Clear Choice Roofing

3. Update Your Floors

If your carpets are starting to thin out, or if your hardwood floors feel like an ice rink in the morning, its probably time for you to give your floors an upgrade. Save money by buying flooring from an independent retailer rather than a large company. Independent retailers usually build 5 to 10 percent of bargaining room into their prices, so dont be afraid to negotiate. Another advantage of upgrading your floors is that it can increase the value of your home.

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Winter Home Maintenance Projects You Need To Know

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A new building industry report found that the number of construction jobs rose in 66% of U.S. metropolitan areas for the year that ended Nov. 30, a sign that the economic recovery is spreading to that once hard-hit sector.

The Associated General Contractors of America, the construction industry's largest trade group, said in its report released Tuesday that demand was so strong that some regions had begun to experience labor shortages.

"It is good news that construction employment is now rising in two-thirds of the nation's metro areas," said Ken Simonson, the group's chief economist. "But now that the unemployment rate for construction workers has fallen to a seven-year low, it has become a major challenge to find qualified workers in many fields."

The report found that employment in the industry grew in 224 of 339 metro areas.

The largest gains, by numbers, came in the Houston area, which added 16,200 construction jobs, an increase of 9% over the previous 12-month period.

That was followed by Dallas-Irving-Plano, Texas, with 11,000 more jobs, a 10% rise, greater Chicago, which added 9,100 jobs, or 7%, and Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash., with 8,900 jobs, or 12%.

From a statewide perspective, California added 41,700 construction jobs, a 6% rise, to a total of 697,000, the group said.

The fastest growth came from the Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine area, which added 7,700 construction jobs, a 10% rise, and the Los Angeles-Long-Beach area, which added 6,100 jobs, up 5%.

The mostly positive news in the sector was tempered by the fact that some of the fastest growth during the year came in regions that are heavily dependent on the oil and gas business and thus vulnerable to the recent plunge in oil prices.

Besides the Texas metro areas, some of the fastest growth in construction jobs, relative to the size of the market, came from such oil-dependent regions as Pascagoula, Miss. (24% with 1,500 more jobs); Fargo, N.D. (19%, 1,600 jobs); and York-Hanover, Pa. (18%, 1,700 jobs).

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Most U.S. metro areas see gains in construction jobs