Mark DeRosa joins MLB Network as studio analyst

On Tuesday,Mark DeRosa announced his retirement from baseball, despite the Toronto Blue Jays picking up his $750,000 contract option for the 2014 season. There was speculation this was a move for him to join Pat Hughes on WGN Radio as the new Cubs’ color-analyst.

Aug 17, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Mark DeRosa (16) singles during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

DeRosa will not be providing analyst of Cubs’ games unless they are on MLB Network, according to an MLB Network press release.

"MLB Network today announced that after a 16-year career, Mark DeRosa has joined its roster of on-air talent as a studio analyst. DeRosa, who served as a guest analyst on MLB Network during the 2013 and 2011 Postseasons, will appear across MLB Network’s studio programming and make his debut on MLB Tonight on Monday, December 9, live from the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida..“While I still had the opportunity to return as a player, it became clear to me that the chance to begin a career at MLB Network was too good to pass up, and I am very excited to get started,” said DeRosa."

The 38-year-old DeRosa spent two seasons (2007-08) with the Cubs and hit .289/.373/.451 with 31 home runs and 159 RBIs in 298 games. He was a major contributor to the Cubs’ back-to-back National League Central division titles.

Injuries hampered his post-Cubs career as he hit .239/.318/.384 in 983 at-bats. He played every position except catcher, pitcher and center field and finished his career with a .268 average, 100 homers and 491 RBIs over 16 seasons.

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