Bordick accepts analyst job at MASN (updated)

Former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick has accepted a job as analyst at MASN after meeting earlier today with network officials. Bordick will sign a multiple-year deal with the network. He'll work 81 games, splitting commentary duties with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. Bordick also has been offered a chance to do some on-field work for the club, including infield coordinator and baserunning instructor at the minor league level. Bordick said he'll need to talk further with John Stockstill, director of player development, to gauge whether his MASN schedule will allow enough time for an expanded role. "I don't know how available I'm going to be," said Bordick, who played for the Orioles from 1997-2000, leaving the organization after being traded to the Mets, and 2001-2002. "If I'm going to put everything I have into this, 81 games, I'm making a major commitment. This is a career choice right now. Do I want to do player development and be able to help? Of course I do. I love that stuff. "In my mind right now, I'm hoping to be able to go down for a full spring training, and throughout the course of the summer, if I can go to a minor league town - Frederick, Bowie, a local team - and help some prospects or something like that, that's kind of what I'm looking at. I'm going to have to obviously discuss that with player development and see what I can do. I would hate to take a huge responsibility in player development and not be able to fulfill it." Bordick initially contacted MASN's Jim Hunter two weeks ago and suggested doing periodic segments for the network on minor league prospects. Hunter recommended that Bordick pursue the analyst position. "I'm a newbie at this. This is going to be a big learning experience for me. And I want to do it right," Bordick said. "I respect the guys here at MASN too much. Jim Hunter and Gary Thorne and Jim Palmer are the best ever and I want to give them my best effort." Bordick held the title of "coordinator of offensive fundamentals" last season, though he focused almost exclusively on the defensive side of the game while visiting the different affiliates and reporting to the minor league complex in Sarasota. He spent a considerable amount of time with shortstop Manny Machado, the Orioles' first-round pick in 2010. "I'd be in the dugout with the guys, so I'd always be talking the game to players," Bordick said. "I guess you wear as many hats as you can. It's not just limited to one thing." The Orioles will have to come up with a new title for Bordick. "The thing I have to talk to John about is, am I capable of having that title? Can I fill that role in player development, or is it going to have to be more of a special assignment type of thing?" Bordick was a candidate to join manager Buck Showalter's coaching staff before the hirings of DeMarlo Hale (third base) and Bill Castro (bullpen). Showalter also floated the idea of using Bordick as a seventh coach. "Obviously, I'm still involved with the Orioles, and I'll be able to have my cake and eat it, too, to be able to get down to spring training and hopefully be in big league camp and minor league camp," Bordick said.