The following is the seventh edition of what is 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. This version of the series analyzes the Angels’ roster as they open up a three game set in Flushing tonight.
The Angels have three 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 Angels’ most significant Mets connections:
Luis Valbuena: Valbuena was signed out of Venezuela in 2002 by Emilio Carrasquel, the same scout who inked Asdrubal Cabrerra to his first contract.
Jesse Chavez: Chavez was traded by the Braves with Gregor Blanco and Tim Collins to the Royals for former Mets Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth in a 2010 trade deadline deal.
Former Mets: Deolis Guerra, Yusmeiro Petit, and Jefry Marte
Hometown Connections: Albert Pujols and Jeurys Familia were both born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Campus Connections: Although in different time frames, Blake Parker and Matt Reynolds both attended the University of Arkansas.
Photo credit: Joe Nicholson – USA Today Sports