The D-backs and Phoenix-based KMVP-FM have "agreed to a five-year extension" that will keep the team on the radio station through '22, according to Paola Boivin of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Greg Schulte will "return for his 20th season as play-by-play voice" and will be partnered with analyst Tom Candiotti. Tom Ferrin is "back to handling pregame and postgame show duties as well as secondary play-by-play responsibilities" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/12). Meanwhile, in Dallas, Gerry Fraley noted the Rangers on Friday "entered a three-year agreement with Univision Deportes Radio to serve as the flagship of its Spanish-language radio network." KFLC-AM will "broadcast the majority of the games," while KFZO-FM will "carry games when programming conflicts arise." Eleno Ornelas will "do play-by-play for the 18th season." Former MLBer Jose Guzman "will be the analyst for home games" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/11).
BIGGER FISH TO FRY: Marlins President David Samson said that he has "continued to speak to Fox Sports about re-working" the team's current RSN deal, which expires in '20. In Miami, Clark Spencer noted the Marlins' current deal pays them $20M annually, but that amount is the "lowest local TV revenue stream of any team in the majors." Samson: "They know and we know that our deal, (the) current TV deal is not commensurate with the revenue that should be coming to the team given the content that we’re giving. But that is no fault of anybody’s but mine" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/12).
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted nearly 1 million Comcast subscribers who have been without YES Network for over a year will "not be seeing" Spring Training games for the Yankees. Comcast and Fox last month "reached a carriage agreement that would return YES to systems in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania," but YES "has not returned" yet. Sources said that Comcast is "having 'technical issues' in restoring YES to its systems" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/12).
GRAND CENTRAL: In Baltimore, Jon Meoli noted MLB Network's Lauren Shehadi today celebrates her "five-year anniversary" with the channel. Shehadi said of her time at the net, "In the beginning, we didn’t have the access we have now. Now, we’re in more homes, more viewers." Shehadi added, "In the morning, you turn on the TV and you want your highlights, you want your information, but you also want it to be light. ... You want the game delivered to you, but you want it in a slightly different way. I think on 'MLB Central,' we’ve done a really great job of that, incorporating and showcasing them in a different way" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 2/10).
MOVIN' OUT: Sportsnet's Blue Jays reporter Barry Davis is "no longer" in the role. The in-game reporter gig this season "will be handled by Hazel Mae, with Arash Madani joining throughout the season in an expanded role." There is "uncertainty" over whether Davis was "pushed or quit" (TORONTO SUN, 2/13).
