In a significant development for Mets fans, Keith Hernandez has officially secured a new contract that will see him continue his role as a commentator for SNY. This beloved trio of announcers for the Mets is set to remain intact, much to the delight of the team's supporters.
As spring training approaches and pitchers and catchers prepare to report, Hernandez has come to an agreement on a three-year deal, with the finalization communicated by The Post's Mike Puma. This announcement comes at a time when anticipation for baseball season is building.
Back in October, Hernandez expressed his desire for a multi-year contract during a conversation with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman from The Post. He made it clear that he was not ready to walk away from his analyst position just yet. "I am not ready to retire," Hernandez shared on "The Show" podcast. He emphasized his preference for three-year contracts, noting that this new agreement would carry him through to age 75. "I just turned 72, and I’m ready to do another three," he added, showcasing his enthusiasm for continuing his work.
Since joining the SNY broadcast team in 2006, after previously covering Mets games on MSG, Hernandez has become an integral part of the Mets' broadcasting experience alongside play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen and fellow former player Ron Darling. His contributions have been recognized with three Emmy Awards (2009, 2012, 2015), highlighting his excellence in sports commentary.
While negotiating with SNY over the offseason, Hernandez hasn’t shied away from voicing his opinions about the Mets’ roster changes. He was notably taken aback when Pete Alonso departed the team to join the Orioles, describing himself as "speechless" during a December appearance on "SportsNite." "This is very explosive," he remarked. "In the years that I've been with the Mets, I have not seen this kind of movement in a new direction, I guess. It is definite — it is profound."
Hernandez shared insights into the Mets’ strategic focus for the offseason, emphasizing that the team appears to be prioritizing pitching and defense. He drew parallels to the successful 1969 Mets, who clinched the World Series title with a strong emphasis on those very elements. "It’s going to be defense and also pitching," he asserted. "I always look to the ’69 Mets when you have a team that won a world championship with great pitching and didn’t have a great offense… not by any stretch of the imagination."
As part of this substantial roster transformation, the Amazin’s have welcomed several new players, including infielders Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco, outfielder Eloy Jimenez, and pitchers Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers, Devin Williams, and Luke Weaver. This overhaul marks a significant shift in the team's strategy, which could lead to new opportunities for success in the upcoming season.
