The following is the eighth 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 Padres’ roster as they open up a three-game set in New York tonight.
The Padres do not have any former Mets on their active roster, but have two players who have been traded for a current or former Met. The following is a list of some the Padres’ most significant Mets connections:
Wil Myers: The Padres’ first baseman has been involved in two blockbuster trades in his young career, so it may be easy to forget Mets’ backstop René Rivera was part of the three-team Myers-Souza-Ross/Turner deal between the Padres, Rays, and Nationals. Rivera was part of the package sent to Tampa Bay alongside Steven Souza.
Chase d’Arnaud: Making his second appearance on one of these lists, after appearing on the Braves’ edition a few weeks ago, the elder d’Arnaud brother has been caught up in a game of waiver claim hot potato. He’s now with the Padres, his third club in a month.
Jarred Cosart: The Padres’ pitcher was dealt by the Phillies with Josh Zeid, Domingo Santana, and Jon Singleton for the Astros’ Hunter Pence at the 2011 trade deadline. Zeid spent some time in the Mets’ system last year, but did not make an MLB appearance.
Hometown Connections: Padres hitters Luis Torrens and Yangervis Solarte both reign from Valencia, Venezuela, which is where Wilmer Flores was also born.
Campus Connections: Jerry Blevins and Craig Stammen played together at the University of Dayton from 2003-2004. Both had relatively unappealing underclassmen seasons before improving enough their senior years to get drafted in the middle rounds (Blevins in the 17th round in 2004 and Stammen in the 12th in 2005) in back-to-back drafts.
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