PEORIA, Ariz. -- When the Mariners selected Mike Ford from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft in December, they wanted to give the former Princeton University standout a good look to see where he might fit.
With Ryon Healy acquired to handle the everyday first-base duties, the Mariners even had Ford come to Arizona at the start of February to do outfield work for several weeks -- in addition to having him tag along with Dee Gordon in Miami earlier this offseason for private workouts with outfield coach Chris Prieto -- with the hope of expanding his opportunities.