Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Gary, Keith, and Ron are a staple of Mets broadcasts and have been part of the identity of Mets fandom since 2006. However, with spring training only weeks away, it’s not a guarantee that GKR will be reuniting for the 2023 season.

The New York Post’s Mike Puma reported Wednesday that there was “still a gap” between SNY and Keith Hernandez in contract talks for the upcoming season. Puma reported that Hernandez rejected and counter-offered SNY’s latest proposal but is still waiting to hear a response from the network.

It’s worth noting that SNY is not owned by Mets owner Steve Cohen, but instead is still owned by the Wilpons. So, for those hoping that Cohen will simply hand out a massive contract to Hernandez like he did for the likes of Justin Verlander, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, Kodai Senga, and more this offseason, that is sadly not a possibility.

Needless to say, Hernandez’s presence is essential to making the Mets broadcast booth one of the best in the business. Not only is he a former world champion, five-time All-Star, and one of the greatest defensive first baseman of all-time, but Hernandez has impeccable chemistry with Gary Cohen and his former teammate Ron Darling, and their commentary makes games worth watching even when the product on the field is sub-par.

It still feels likely that Hernandez and SNY will work it out in time for Opening Day, but the fact that we are now into February and there’s no contract in place is certainly making Mets fans anxious. If somehow Hernandez were to go un-signed, the Mets could turn to the likes of studio analyst and occasional commentator Todd Zeile to fill his spot, operate with a two-man booth of Cohen and Darling, or try to quickly fill the role with someone else.

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