ESPN is working toward removing Jessica Mendoza from its “Sunday Night Baseball” booth, The Post has learned.
As for the rest of the SNB crew, ESPN executives are still determining its plan, though Alex Rodriguez has been assured that he is welcomed back, according to sources.
Matt Vasgersian’s status as the lead play-by-player remains in question with Jon Sciambi and Karl Ravech potential replacements, according to sources.
ESPN declined comment.
A-Rod’s analyst partner the past two years, Mendoza, is unlikely to be back on SNB, where she became a trailblazing figure as the first female baseball TV analyst on what is MLB’s second-most prestigious booth.
Mendoza, according to sources, has not been fully informed she is off SNB so that is why the decision is not 100 percent just yet. In theory, ESPN could change its mind.
ESPN executives insist they still have big plans for Mendoza, who just last year signed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal.
ESPN is reimagining its baseball coverage and Mendoza is expected to be an integral part, in studio or on possibly on weekday games. She may want to expand her reach in other avenues, as well.
Mendoza, who is also a Mets advisor, recently took a lot of heat for criticizing pitcher Mike Fiers, who helped expose the Astros’ cheating methods.
Though this did not help her and left ESPN executives further contemplating her dual role with the network and the Mets, it has little to do with ESPN’s thought process.
The Post reported in October that the Sunday crew was in limbo.
Even with Mendoza likely exiting, ESPN still hasn’t fully determined whom A-Rod will work with on the telecasts.
The Post has previously reported ESPN has interest in YES Network’s David Cone for SNB. The Post has also reported that ESPN is looking into Chipper Jones as a game analyst.
If Mendoza is not in the SNB booth, it will further put the spotlight on Rodriguez, which is why someone like Cone may help to dim the glare.
Rodriguez and Vasgersian are in the final year of their contracts. While, according to sources, ESPN has assured Rodriguez that they would like him to return, that same level of certainty has not yet been extended to Vasgersian. Rodriguez and Vasgersian share the same agent.
Though Vasgersian could still return, ESPN is considering both Sciambi and Ravech as alternatives. Sciambi and Rodriguez did a game last year that ESPN executives liked.
Ravech has worked at ESPN for more than a quarter century, succeeding Chris Berman as the studio lead of ESPN’s baseball coverage.
He has transitioned into more play by play, but it is in unclear if Rodriguez would give his blessing to Ravech’s promotion.
With one year remaining on Vasgersian’s and A-Rod’s contracts, ESPN could still kick the decision until after this season. ESPN would be wise to go with the best pure booth and not worry as much about glamour.
Though Sunday night is a standalone broadcast, ESPN has too often tried to overdo it, frustrating fans who tuned into — get this? — to watch the game.
The SNB matchups aren’t unique as the same two teams have played on the days leading into Sunday. The idea of trying to make the production extra special when it is one game out of 162 is not well thought out.
Still, the perch is an important one, as only Fox’s World Series booth is more prestigious on the national front in baseball. ESPN’s importance in the game could grow soon — it would not be surprising if it landed some playoff games in the next TV deal.
As part of its current reimagining of its baseball coverage, SNB has already changed the lead producer: Jeff Dufine is taking over for Andy Reichwald.
When this type of change happens, the booth is often not far behind.
If not, it is like changing the chef and not the menu.