Slowly but surely this whole MLB Network is getting put together, and it's really starting to look like a pretty good roster. While they're still trying to lock up Costas, the Network will announce today the hiring of four new analysts. Via SBD....

MLB Network today officially will add Al Leiter, Harold Reynolds, Trenni Kusnierek and Hazel Mae to its on-air lineup today. The network will use Leiter and Reynolds as studio analysts and Kusnierek and Mae as reporters. Leiter comes to the channel after three years at YES Network, and Reynolds had been a commentator on MLB.com, SportsNet NY and TBS in the past year. Kusnierek spent last season with the Brewers on FSN Wisconsin, following five seasons with the Pirates on FSN Pittsburgh. Mae had spent five years with NESN.

Mae and Reynolds weren't surprises, but I hadn't heard about Leiter (who's actually pretty good) and Kusnierek. Look for a few more people to put added in the coming weeks, and then perhaps a bigger name more towards the network's opening day on January 1st.

MLB Network Adding Leiter, Reynolds, Kusnierek, Mae To On-Air Roster (Sports Business Daily)

The MLB Network has been surfing the local talent pool and they've added yet another individual to its growing roster. It was announced yesterday that longtime Padres broadcaster Matt Vasgersian was leaving the team and today he's signed on with the MLB-N. Via John Ourand at SBD....

MLB Network is about to make its first official on-air hire, signing Matt Vasgersian as its main studio host for the nightly "MLB Tonight" show, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. Vasgersian had been the lead play-by-play announcer for Padres' TV games and has done work with Fox, as well. As the main host of MLB Network's nightly show, Vasgersian will be the net's most visible on-air personality. An official announcement could come as soon as tomorrow.

MLB Network is launching January 1 to about 50 million homes. It has been
talking with Harold Reynolds and Hazel Mae about on-air positions and has
had conversations with Bob Costas about an on-air role.

It's not Costas but it's still a good pickup for the new network that launches January 1st. They seem to be making all of the right moves before opening up shop, and this is just another move that illustrates that. I've long been a fan of Vasgersian, and the studio work he put in for the Olympics will definitely help him in this role.

MLB Network to Tap Matt Vasgersian (Broadcasting & Cable)

Hazel Mae had been busy blogging over at Sawxheads, but apparently she'll need to pack up soon and report to the MLB Network. The ex-NESN anchor has long been rumored to have something on the back burner and according to USA Today, the MLB-N is it....

After joining NESN in 2004, she covered the Red Sox, anchored NESN's SportsDesk, and hosted the Ultimate Red Sox Show and The Buzz. She left in June, according to NESN. Her contract expires at the end of this summer.

One possible landing spot is MLB Network, baseball's new 24-7, cable channel which is staffing up for its Jan. 1 national launch. The network is expected to reach more than 50 million homes across the country and air live games on Saturday nights.

Mae could not be reached. Susan Lipton, Mae's agent and senior director of broadcasting at IMG, says MLB Network is one of many outlets with a possible interested in her client. Mae asked NESN not to pick up her option, she says, and NESN granted her wish. "Hazel wants to stay within sports and explore other opportunities," Lipton says.

MLB Network executives declined comment.

I mistakenly thought that Bostonians loved the NESN reporter when she left, but a lot of people couldn't stand her. There are/were a ton of rumors about her love life as well which seemed to over shadow her work as a broadcaster. It's been rumored that she wouldn't work for a team/network that wouldn't let her to so (i.e. leaving Toronto) and her dating list includes Ricky Davis, ex-Blue Jay Kevin Barker and ESPN's Steve Levy.

It'll be an interesting hire to say the least.

After New England run, broadcaster Mae set to make her move (USA Today)