"Had to get on a plane a short time ago, but just prior, I told you via Twitter that the Mariners had inked outfielder Darren Ford to a minor league contract. Ford is only 26 and steals a lot of bases while putting up good OBP and walk rates. Oh yeah, he can play center field as well, meaning that while he's strictly minor league depth for now, his presence -- he's been invited to spring training -- allows the M's to contemplate trading one or more of their surplus outfielders at the position.

In other words, Michael Saunders, Trayvon Robinson and...yes...Franklin Gutierrez.

Now, that latter part depends on how the team views the center field depth chart. We all assume Gutierrez is ahead of both Robinson and Saunders but that could very well depend on how the Mariners forsee Guti's bat in coming seasons. They've put on a brave face so far, but if they ever doubt Gutierrez will reach his projected offensive potential, then it's possible the M's would look to shave some salary and plug somebody like Robinson or Saunders in that spot.

And then, newcomer Ford would slot into the spots vacated by the departing player moving up to replace Gutierrez, be it Saunders or Gutierrez. Got it?

Yes, it seems radical. But it's tough to overlook the fact Gutierrez is to be paid $13 million over the next two seasons. He may indeed be ahead of somebody like Robinson but he's not 15 times better. And indeed, of the three, Gutierrez would probably still have the best market value. I'm going to say right here that I'm not certain manager Eric Wedge is completely sold on Gutierrez. This spring -- even before the extent of Gutierrez's stomach ailment was known -- Wedge was on record saying he planned to give the center fielder plenty of rest because he wasn't sure he had the physical capability of being a six or seven-day-per-week player."