SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Three weeks after his 30-day suspension ended, San Diego general manager A.J. Preller is mixing with his fellow general managers at baseballs annual GMs meeting.Major League Baseball suspended Preller without pay on Sept. 15 after a league investigation showed the Padres had withheld medical information from trade partners, including a July deal that sent All-Star left-hander Drew Pomeranz to Boston.I think you always learn from everything, Preller said Tuesday. We own the issues that came up, and now going forward, youve got to learn from them and get better.There arent any apparent signs the wrongdoing is affecting Prellers communication with other teams. Preller said the Padres have had active discussions with teams. Weve had teams inquire about some of our players.MLB gave the Red Sox the right to rescind the trade, but they passed because, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred, Pomeranz was healthy and the trade deadline had passed, so Boston could not have acquired anyone else.Thats over and done with at this point, so we need to move forward, Red Sox manager Dave Dombrowski said.Dombrowski said there must be open communication between all clubs, including the Padres, if youre going to do your job properly.Preller said he and the Padres have learned their lesson.Weve definitely focused on making sure the issue never comes up again, he said. As far as medical record keeping, I think the intent is to be best in class. From our standpoint, were pretty confident were going to have the personnel in place and the process in place so theres no confusion going forward on where were at and where we stand on things.While Preller was serving his suspension, President Mike Dee departed in what the club said was a mutual decision. Managing partner Peter Seidler said the move was unrelated to Prellers suspension or the medical records issue. San Diego lost 94 games and tied for last place in the National League with the Cincinnati Reds.Across the room from where Preller spoke Tuesday, Los Angeles Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi was coy with reporters asking about the teams prominent players who became free agents, including closer Kenley Jansen.Zaidi said his top priority is retaining the big four of those free agents, but he wouldnt say who they were. He likely was referring to Jansen, third baseman Justin Turner, pitcher Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick, although second baseman Chase Utley also is a free agent.Joe Blanton and J.P. Howell, part of Los Angeles bullpen, also became free agents.Certainly the first part of our offseason is going to be driven by retaining our own guys, Zaidi said. We obviously have a good number of free agents. Once we get through the early period and some of that sorts itself out, we might have a second phase to the offseason filling out holes based on how that retention works out.Los Angeles led the major leagues with a payroll of about $255 million in 2016, down from a record $270 million last year.Free agency is an expensive proposition period, Zaidi said, but theres a lot of competition for good players. This is how free agencys supposed to work. Mitchell Schwartz Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Larry Johnson Jersey .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. http://www.customchiefsjersey.com/custom-laurent-duvernay-tardif-jersey-large-2326n.html .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Frank Clark Jersey . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. Joe Delaney Jersey . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. College football is back. This is it. And it starts with an epic, unprecedented Kickoff Week inspired in part by the College Football Playoffs emphasis on strength of schedule. There are four games featuring two ranked teams, and while its far too early to draw any conclusions about what the November picture will look like, these games will continue to resonate with the selection committee all season.Every. Week. Matters.So lets kick it off with the Week 1 games that will have the biggest impact on the selection committee:1. No. 15 Houston vs. No. 3 Oklahoma, NRG Stadium (noon ET, ABC/ESPN3)What it means for the winner: The Cougars would gain instant credibility as a playoff contender with a win, starting the season exactly where they left off -- with a marquee win over a Power 5 heavyweight. Its only the first step, though, in what needs to be an undefeated season. An Oklahoma win would separate the Sooners as long as Houston has success in the American Athletic?Conference.The road back for the loser: A Houston loss would end the Cougars playoff hopes. Coach Tom Herman knows, though, the American champ has a great chance to end the season as the highest-ranked Group of 5 team, which means a spot in a New Years Six bowl. If OU loses, dont count it out (remember that loss to Texas last year?) -- especially if its a close game and Houston wins the American.Under pressure: The entire Group of 5. Houston is the best hope to represent the Group of 5 in the top four, but if the Cougars lose, so do the five FBS leagues with it.2. No. 4 Florida State vs. No. 11 Ole Miss, Camping World Stadium (8 p.m. ET on Monday/ESPN) What it means for the winner: An Ole Miss win would stamp the Rebels as a legitimate playoff contender and set up a monster Week 3 showdown against Alabama. FSU would pad its resume with a win over a ranked SEC West team as it looks toward a showdown with Clemson.The road back for the loser: In addition to Clemson, FSU faces Miami, UNC, Louisville and Florida, and Ole Miss will see Alabama just two weeks later. Neither team wants to start in a hole considering what lies ahead.Under pressure: FSU QB Deondre Francois. The redshirt freshman will take his first collegiate snap because senior Sean Maguire injured his foot early in summer camp.3. No. 5 LSU vs. Wisconsin, Lambeau Field (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN3)What it means for the winner: An LSU win would impress the committee through November and give the Tigers some breathing room for conference play. A Wisconsin win would catapult the Badgers into the national spotlight and likely the first AP top 25 of the regular season.The road back for the loser: LSU would be in a tight squeeze, considering it still has the entire SEC West to get through. And good luck to Wisconsin, which plays Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa consecutively.Under pressure: QB Brandon Harris. LSU is talented enough to finish in the top four this season -- if it gets adequate play from Harris, and this will be his first chance to prove hes capable of leading the Tigers to the top of the SEC West.4. No. 20 USC vs. No. 1 Alabama, AT&T Stadium (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN3)What it means for the winner: USC could have the best nonconference win of the season on its resume, and shake up the entire playoff picture. An Alabama win would show that the defending national champs are ready to do it again.The road back for the loser: Its not like Alabama hasnt lost before, as the Tide have overcome losses to Ole Miss in each of the past two seasons and still made the playoff. It hasnt had to play from behind, though, before league play even begins. USC wouldnt be penalized for losing to the No. 1 team in the country, but with a nine-game league schedule looming, its an uphill recovery.Under pressure: New QBs. Both Alabama and USC will have new starting quarterbacks; the Tides Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett were listed as co-starters on the latest depth chart, and Max Browne was named the starter for USC.5. No. 10 Notre Dame at Texas (7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, ABC/ESPN3)What it means for the winner: An Irish road win would show they can overcome the off-field headlines and contend for the playoff with two quarterbacks, DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire. A Texas win would prove this year is different, as the Longhorns could be 2-0 (UTEP in Week 2) heading into the Cal game.The road back for the loser: Notre Dame would likely have to run the table -- a slate that includes Stanford and USC -- because it doesnt have a conference championship game. Texas could rebound but would still have much to prove in the Big 12 hierarchy.Under pressure: Texas coach Charlie Strong. After starting last year with a 38-3 loss to Notre Dame, Texas came unraveled and was 1-4 heading into the Oklahoma game. The Longhorns?need a better showing this time.6. No. 2 Clemson at Auburn (9 p.m. ET, ESPN)What it means for the winner: Clemson would reaffirm its position as a CFP front-runner, butt an Auburn win would throw the playoff picture out of focus.ddddddddddddAuburn would likely sneak into the AP top 25 and Clemson would drop out of the top four, but Auburn would have to sustain that success to be taken seriously as a CFP contender.The road back for the loser: Clemson would likely have to win out because Auburn is its toughest nonconference opponent, and Louisville and FSU are the only ranked ACC opponents. Auburn could be 1-4 before October, as the Tigers also have to play Texas A&M and LSU this month.Under pressure: Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. Considering last years 2-6 record in league play, Malzahn needs improvement fast. The first five games are at home, and that home crowd could be his biggest opponent come October.7. No. 16 UCLA at Texas A&M (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)What it means for the winner: A UCLA win would also be a win for the entire Pac-12, and would give the Bruins a marquee nonconference victory to impress the committee. An A&M win? Been there, seen that -- for the past two years. The key is parlaying it into more.The road back for the loser: A road loss to an SEC West team can be overcome, but the problem for UCLA is the grueling nine-game league schedule that follows. The Aggies need this nonconference win because beating up on Prairie View A&M, New Mexico State and UTSA wont light up their resume -- especially if they lose more than one league game.Under pressure:?A&M coach Kevin Sumlin. He hasnt finished above .500 in the SEC since his first year in College Station, but there have also been off-field issues. He needs a signature win.8. No. 18 Georgia vs. No. 22 North Carolina, Georgia Dome (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)What it means for the winner:?For Georgia, the coach Kirby Smart era would get off to a great start and the Dawgs would?rise a few pegs in the AP poll. UNC would get a much-needed quality nonconference win that would help offset the two FCS opponents on the schedule.The road back for the loser: Georgia could rebound the following week against Nicholls State, and any team with a shot to win the SEC has a chance at the playoff. Three of the Bulldogs first four league games are on the road, though, including at Ole Miss. If UNC doesnt win this one, its likely out of the CFP conversation because of its weak remaining nonconference schedule.Under pressure: UNCs playoff resume. This is the second season UNC has scheduled two FCS teams, and the Tar Heels have failed to beat a big-time ranked opponent in each of those years.Kickoff Week superlativesGameDay Kickoffs selection committee of one hands out some awards going into Kickoff Week.Player in the spotlight: UCLA QB Josh Rosen He stirred things up this week when he downplayed the intimidating atmosphere at Kyle Field, saying, after about 50,000 people, it all sounds the same. The 12th Man -- and stud pass-rusher Myles Garrett -- will do its best to convince him otherwise, but the talented sophomore has the game to silence the Aggies.Matchup to watch: LSU RB Leonard Fournette vs. Wisconsin front seven The Heisman hopeful was in a walking boot earlier this month after an ankle injury, and now he will face a veteran Wisconsin defense that finished No. 4 in the country in rushing defense and second in total defense last year.Cant-miss tailgate: LSU vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field LSU fans are coming to the football shrine in droves, and there should be no shortage of jambalaya, gumbo and brats. Nearby local businesses have reportedly sold out all of their parking spots.Most intriguing mascot battle: Horned Frogs vs. Jackrabbits TCU shouldnt have much of a problem with South Dakota State, but can the frog even catch the rabbit?Welcome back: Pitt RB James Conner Conner is cancer-free and wont have any limitations against Villanova. He scored 26 touchdowns in 2014, went through six months of cancer treatment, and his oncologist and nurses will be in the stands to keep cheering him on.Upset watch: Notre Dame Texas was embarrassed by last years 38-3 loss in South Bend, and Charlie Strong is a winning quarterback away from turning things around. The Irish return just eight starters and cant seem to escape off-field distractions.Under-the-radar game: Bowling Green at Ohio State With only six returning starters, this is the first chance to see the rebuilt Buckeyes. While there shouldnt be an upset, Bowling Green is a respectable program coming off a 10-3 season and three straight MAC East Division titles.Forgotten storyline: Alabama OC Lane Kiffin game-planning against his former team, USC The Kiffin-USC reunion has been overshadowed by the fact that these two tradition-rich programs havent played each other since 1978.Obligatory Jim Harbaugh prediction After beating Hawaii, Harbaugh lines up a 2017 satellite camp in Honolulu before the Rainbow Warriors even reach the plane. ' ' '