The Los Angeles Angels welcomed a new broadcaster to the booth this offseason after announcing that Wayne Randazzo would be taking over for Patrick O’Neal, whose status is up in the air for 2023.
With obligations to his new team, Randazzo will have to juggle that and his obligations with Apple TV+.
Joining a team that is still iffy on who will be there with O’Neal and Matt Vasgersian, who is still undecided as well, Randazzo is set to become one of the most stable of the broadcast team.
Because Vasgersian worked remotely in 2021, some frustrations arose after technical issues hindered his ability to call games in the manner he would like.
Randazzo had been the full-time play-by-play broadcaster for the New York Mets since 2019, but the opportunity to work for the Angels was another step in his fast rise through media circles around Major League Baseball. He discussed how he’ll manage between Angels games and Apple TV broadcasts, which are becoming more of a regular thing in primetime, via Sam Blum of The Athletic:
Yeah, I’m still going to do Apple. As far as I know, A) I’m going to do a large portion of the (Angels) games. And B) my plan is to do as many as I can that don’t conflict with Apple. But I haven’t gotten the schedule or an exact number yet. We’ll know more about that in the next few weeks I’m sure.
Because Apple is continuing to muscle its way into purchasing the rights to premier games on Friday nights, Randazzo’s availability to be in the booth instead of remote could pose some problems. However, he isn’t concerned, noting that he’s confident there won’t be an issue if the back-to-back instances do come up:
No, no no, definitely not. I should be able to get back for a Saturday. If I ended up getting a weekend off here or there, that would be separate of that.
The Angels and Bally Sports West would certainly like to avoid any hiccups, and because the on-air talent they’ve secured in the past few years has been this good, the least of their worries should be technical or if their broadcast team can even make it to games.
Free agents don’t consider California an appealing spot
The Angels have been one of the most aggressive teams this offseason as they look to improve their roster and return to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
The Angels thus far have signed All-Star starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, reliever Carlos Estévez and infielder Brandon Drury, while acquiring slugging outfielder Hunter Renfroe and infielder Gio Urshela in trades.
The Angels are already on track to have the highest payroll in their history next season but continue to indicate they will make more moves. The team has been targeting starting pitching and reportedly had an interest in signing Nathan Eovaldi and Corey Kluber before they found different homes.
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