The Mets announced that they have hired former General Manager Omar Minaya as a special assistant to general manager Sandy Alderson.
Well, at least they made a signing this offseason. The New York Mets announced today on their official blog that they have brought Omar Minaya back into the organization, this time as a special assistant to Sandy Alderson.
We’ve named Omar Minaya a Special Assistant to General Manager Sandy Alderson. https://t.co/elSCEQ17Qi
— New York Mets (@Mets) December 22, 2017
Minaya served as the team’s general manager from 2005-2010. The Mets reached the National League Championship Series in 2006, thanks in large part to his moves to add players like Paul LoDuca, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran.
However, Minaya made a great many moves that harmed the long-term prospects of the club. He traded Heath Bell and Matt Lindstrom in 2006. His trade for Bell was especially horrendous, as he got Ben Johnson, who played just nine games with the team, and Jon Adkins, who appeared in only one game. Bell went on to be an All-Star with the San Diego Padres.
Moises Alou, Scott Schoeneweis and Jason Bay serve as more painful reminders of some of his other poor moves.
But Minaya also had a great eye for identifying young talent. It was on his watch that the Mets drafted the likes of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz, all three playing key roles in the team’s run to the 2015 World Series.
According to Newsday‘s Marc Carig, Minaya isn’t being welcomed back with open arms by everyone in the organization.
Omar Minaya returning to Mets as a special assistant to the GM is an example of Fred Wilpon’s fingerprints being all over a move. Per a source, Fred Wilpon made this decision despite some serious reservations from the front office.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) December 22, 2017
This marks Minaya’s third stint with the Mets.
