Yankees, YES Network make genius hire with Todd Frazier after Cameron Maybin gaffe

Get ready for some true Flava in the YES Network studio for the 2023 season. The New York Yankees have found one of their on-air personalities to join the team's pregame and postgame banter and it's none other than New Jersey native Todd Frazier, who played for the Bombers back in 2017.

During that memorable run to Game 7 of the ALCS, Frazier served as the energizer and uplifter, providing a charismatic and steadfast voice for a relatively young and inexperienced roster.

Frazier only spent those 66 games with New York, however, before signing a two-year contract with the Mets. He retired in 2021 after bouncing around a bit, but not before putting a Pirates writer on blast for delivering some unwanted criticism of him.

He might have to tone down the language, but Frazier's personality and flare will be exactly what the Yankees' television team will be looking for in their coverage. After the Yankees parted with Cameron Maybin, who served well in the booth, this certainly makes up for a decision many fans opposed.

Plus, Frazier's got the Jack Curry stamp of approval. That's all that matters, right?

Todd Frazier joining Yankees with YES Network coverage

Frazier is the latest addition to the crew. Earlier in the offseason, the Yankees also brought in Jeff Nelson to the YES Network coverage and he'll be on some game broadcasts throughout the year. Frazier grew up a Yankees fan and Nelson has remained one of the more well-known/loyal players in recent history. Throw in manager Aaron Boone joining the Talkin' Yanks podcast once per week with Jimmy O'Brien and Jake Storiale, and this is fostering quite the Yankees family.

As for the Frazier hire, with the league looking to grow the game with more youthful fans, the 11-year MLB veteran is a fitting addition due to the inherent entertainment value he brings. Though Bob Lorenz, John Flaherty and Curry are tremendous at what they do, some might argue the pre and postgame shows could use a bit more liveliness.

Across his professional career, Frazier finished with a .241/.318/.445 slash line with a 107 OPS+, 604 runs scored, 218 home runs and 640 RBI. He was the Home Run Derby champ in 2015 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, too. The two-time All-Star had his best years with Cincy from 2012-2015 before a career campaign with the Chicago White Sox in 2016.

The playing experience is there, and coupled with the person, the viewers will be getting the whole package. Now all we need is for him to forget somebody's name live on the air so he can drop a few "big dogs."