Talking about Bordick, Down and Allenson

The Orioles are getting closer to finalizing their coaching staff and making the grand announcement. I'm not carting around my laptop today, but some of the "moving parts," as manager Buck Showalter likes to call them, are slowing down. I wrote yesterday that former shortstop Mike Bordick would be willing to listen if the Orioles offered a coaching position, but he expects to continue working as a roving minor league instructor. He mentioned the possibility of taking on additional responsibilities, which could include infield instruction at the major league level. "I think a lot of that depends on who they get in as coaches," he said. "Obviously, if they get somebody who doesn't have infield experience, I don't see why that wouldn't be an option. But if the guy is an infield coach and has that experience, then I don't think they'd need me up here to do anything like that." Brian Butterfield would have brought that experience, but he's staying in Toronto. Bordick would enjoy working more closely with Showalter. "It definitely seems like the change came at the right time," he said. "They played well for him. And there's definitely some anticipation and excitement going into next year. Hopefully, the staff shapes up around him and it's conducive to what they had last year, as far as keeping a winning formula and everyone focused." The Orioles need a hitting coach to replace Terry Crowley. I'll repeat that Brady Anderson isn't a candidate. He's never been approached about the job and he hasn't inquired about it. One interesting name to consider is Rick Down, who held the job here from 1996 to 1998. He spent the previous two years as Buck Showalter's hitting coach in New York before joining Davey Johnson's staff and currently serves as an advance scout for the Giants. Could he be a moving part? I seem to recall that the Orioles rekindled their love affair with the long ball back in those days. They could mash. For whatever reason, I'll always remember one of the Orioles' relievers complaining after a postseason loss about the club's inability to lay down bunts in key situations. He pointed to Down and said something like, "Isn't that his job?" Anyway, a reunion with Down would seem to be a possibility. Meanwhile, Gary Allenson confirmed yesterday that he's been given the option of returning to Triple-A Norfolk if he doesn't find a spot on Showalter's staff. Managing the Tides isn't his first choice, but it beats the unemployment line. "I can do that if I want, but I haven't gotten to that point yet," he said. "I think nowadays in today's world, I don't want to get to the point where there are no options there for me, with the way the economy is. "Obviously, I want to be on the big league staff and I think I deserve to be there, but if it doesn't happen, that's an option for me."