The YES Network was interested in adding both former New York Yankee manager Joe Girardi and potentially Buck Showalter to their team this offseason. While they were able to bring on Girardi, discussions with Showalter were more complicated due to his contract with the Mets.
Showalter, who had been fired by the Mets after a disappointing season, was being paid $4 million not to manage in 2024. However, despite this, the Mets had indicated that they would have allowed Showalter to work for YES if talks had progressed further. Unfortunately, it was discovered that Showalter was still under contract, and the discussions did not move forward.
In comparison to Girardi’s addition to YES, which was more straightforward given his previous role as the Yankees’ manager before Boone, Showalter’s potential role at YES would have been limited to once-a-month appearances. His contract with the Mets and the current situation with the Yankees may have made his decision more complex. Despite this, the discussions with Showalter demonstrate the network’s interest in adding experienced baseball professionals to their team.