The following is the second edition of what will be part of each of the series previews here at BP Mets. “Mets Connections” takes a look at the opposing teams’ rosters and highlights some of the noteworthy or interesting links that can be drawn between those players and the Mets organization. Some of these links may be obvious, such as if an opposing player has formerly played for New York, but some may be lesser known tidbits, such as if a player was previously drafted by the Mets. The second version of this series analyzes the Nationals’ roster as they open up a three-game set in D.C. tonight.
The Nationals have two former Mets on their active roster coming into the series, as well as three players who have been traded for a current or former Met. The following is a list of some the Nationals’ most significant Mets connections:
Max Scherzer: Before Scherzer’s rise to stardom with Tigers, he was a heralded prospect in the Diamondbacks system. After a largely uninspiring first full season with Arizona’s major league team, he was included as part of a blockbuster deal that sent current Met Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and pitchers Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson to the desert.
Joe Ross and Trea Turner: Most fans probably remember the Wil Myers trade between the Rays and Padres as the one where the Nationals somehow got involved and made out like bandits. What they might not remember is current Mets catcher René Rivera was part of the Rays return from the Padres.
Oliver Perez: Before switching over to the relief role he has held for the last six years, Perez was a starting pitcher for the Mets from 2006-2010. In those five seasons with the club, he went 29-29 with a 4.71 ERA.
Daniel Murphy: The one that got away. If the Mets had realized Murphy’s late 2015 season power surge would sustain into the next few seasons, he probably would not be on this list. While Neil Walker was solid last year as his replacement, it sure would be nice to have Murphy’s bat in a lineup that is in the bottom half of the league in runs scored again this season.
Jayson Werth: Jayson Werth was once traded for ex-Met John Bale, though Bale never appeared in a game for New York. The more interesting Mets connection for Werth, however, is his uncle, Dick Schofield, who played as the Mets’ starting shortstop in 1992.
Adam Eaton: Eaton was drafted one spot ahead of New York’s 19th round selection Jonathan Kountis in the 2010 amateur draft. That is not really an indictment of the Mets’ scouting department, though, as if the Diamondbacks had really known the player Eaton would become, he would not have lasted 19 rounds.
Photo credit: Noah K. Murray – USA Today Sports