Gordon learning a new position

Former 2B moves to CF for the Mariners

Peoria, Ariz. — The play was as routine as it gets in a spring training game, a stolen base attempt with a throw down to second base.

Right now, nothing is routine for Dee Gordon. The moment the runner broke from first, Gordon sprinted from center field and was just 30 or so feet behind the base as the throw arrived.

As innocuous as the play was, it was a moment that stood out to Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais.

"He knows the value of those little things have played in the infield. He's moving in the right spots," Servais said. "Really happy with how this has gone early in camp with him."

In almost any other circumstance, Gordon would be preparing for another season as a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman. But that's not why he's now in Seattle, creating on one of the most interesting position changes in baseball for the 2018 season.

Gordon will be the Mariners center fielder. His infielders' glove, the one that earned him a Gold Glove in 2015, will be a permanent resident in his locker the result of being traded from Miami to the Mariners in the offseason. While there was initially hesitation on Gordon's part about making the switch, he's now fully invested on being the next great center fielder for the Mariners.

"When I met him, I was like this guy is all in. Early on whatever he went through right when the change happened, it happened very quickly that he said I'm going to help the Mariners be the best center fielder I can," said first base coach Chris Prieto, whose coaching responsibilities also include outfielders. "Once he decided that, which was relatively quick, I knew that right away. He has the feel for the game. He's a pro in everything that he does."

It was Prieto that served as the initial liaison between the club and Gordon. While Servais and general manager Jerry Dipoto were the ones to tell Gordon he was making the switch to center field, Prieto took on the responsibility of giving Gordon the baseline tools to help begin the conversion.

The transition was made easier because Gordon is a supreme athlete and one of the fastest players in the major leagues.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP PHOTO Texas Rangers starting pitcher Bartolo Colon throws during the first inning of a spring training game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday at Surprise, Ariz.