Willie Randolph Joins YES Network as Studio Analyst

Former Mets manager brings expertise and wisdom to Yankees' pregame and postgame shows

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Willie Randolph, a former All-Star player and manager for the New York Mets, has joined the YES Network as a studio analyst. Randolph, who last managed in 2008, will appear on the network's pregame and postgame shows for about one series per month, starting with the Yankees' series against the Astros in late April. Randolph is excited to share his extensive knowledge and experience with Yankees fans, promising to be "open and honest" in his analysis.

Why it matters

Randolph's hiring is seen as a move to earn back some goodwill from Yankees fans, who were surprised by the network's decision not to renew the contract of longtime analyst John Flaherty. As a link to the Yankees' glory days in the 1970s and under manager Joe Torre, Randolph is expected to provide valuable insight and perspective to diehard fans.

The details

Randolph, 71, last had a chance to get back into a major league dugout when the Mets hired Carlos Mendoza as manager before the 2024 season. Mendoza spoke highly of Randolph as a mentor, but the Mets ultimately went with Eric Chavez as Mendoza's bench coach. Now, Randolph will join the YES Network studio team, appearing on the pregame and postgame shows for about one series per month to start.

  • Randolph will join the YES Network starting with the Yankees' series against the Astros in late April 2026.
  • Randolph last managed the Mets in 2008, when he was fired in the middle of the night.

The players

Willie Randolph

A former All-Star player who spent over four decades in Major League Baseball as a player, coach, and manager. He managed the New York Mets from 2005 to 2008 and has now joined the YES Network as a studio analyst.

Carlos Mendoza

The current manager of the New York Mets, who previously worked with Randolph and considered him a mentor and friend.

Eric Chavez

The current bench coach for the New York Mets, who was hired before the 2024 season instead of Randolph.

Joe Torre

The former manager of the New York Yankees, under whom Randolph won four World Series championships as a coach.

Davey Johnson

The former manager of the New York Mets, who has the highest winning percentage in franchise history.

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What they’re saying

“You have to be open and honest with the fans. You can't fool New York fans and what they're looking at and seeing. I'll be fair, obviously, and just be me.”

— Willie Randolph (Newsday)

“All that knowledge and things that I've learned as a manager, a coach, is something that I want to share with the fans. That's really what it boils down to.”

— Willie Randolph (Newsday)

What’s next

Randolph will make his debut as a YES Network studio analyst during the Yankees' series against the Astros in late April 2026.

The takeaway

Randolph's hiring by the YES Network represents an opportunity for the longtime baseball veteran to share his extensive knowledge and experience with Yankees fans, providing valuable insight and perspective as the team looks to build on its recent success.