With the World Series still going on, we’re not quite at a point where we’re getting player moves yet; however, Wednesday saw at least one roster shaken up. Earlier today, John Flaherty released the news
that the YES Network was not renewing his contract for next season.
In addition to that, Andrew Marchand at the Athletic reported that Jeff Nelson and Dave Valle also weren’t being brought back from their roles as color commentators and occasional pre/post-game show panelists.
In the past, the YES Network had a pretty wide array of color commentators who would join primary voice Michael Kay, but that number has been shrinking in recent years — especially after the retirement of Ken Singleton in 2021 and brief dalliances with Carlos Beltrán and Cameron Maybin. These days, Kay generally calls Yankees games alongside some combination of Paul O’Neill, David Cone, and Joe Girardi, and it appears that trio will be who YES is going to focus on going forward (with Ryan Ruocco the No. 2 behind Kay on play-by-play).
Flaherty in particular has been with YES for decades now, having joined in 2006 right after he retired as player. He was Jorge Posada’s backup catcher from 2003-05 and also grew up around the area before being drafted out of Geogre Washington University in 1988. A quote from Flaherty via Marchand said he was prepared for this news, as the network had declined an option in his contract for next season already.
Nelson was a more recent addition to the rotation, but he obviously had a long-lasting history with the team, having pitched out of the bullpen for them during the dynasty years from 1996-2000 and 2003, participating in four World Series championship teams. Valle didn’t play for the team during his 13-year career, but he was an analyst for several other big league teams, and like Flaherty, he was also a local product, having been born in Queens.
As mentioned, YES has had a pretty wide array of commentators over the year, whereas most team broadcasts concentrate on a core group, with a couple fill-in options. It appears that is what the Yankees and YES will be doing themselves going forward.
