Padres name Omar Minaya Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres today announced they have named Omar Minaya senior vice president of baseball operations. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement.
“We’re excited to add Omar to our staff,” said Byrnes. “His experience, knowledge, evaluative skills and connections throughout the industry will be invaluable for us.”
Minaya joins the Padres after previously serving as executive vice president of baseball operations/general manager of the New York Mets from September of 2004 through the 2010 season. A native of the Dominican Republic, he became Major League Baseball’s first Hispanic general manager when he joined the Montreal Expos in February of 2002, serving in the capacity for three seasons. Prior to joining the Expos, Minaya spent parts of five seasons from 1997-2002 with the Mets, serving as assistant general manager.
Beginning his front office career with the Texas Rangers in 1985, Minaya first served as an amateur scout for the Rangers before holding the roles of Latin American scouting coordinator from 1989-94 and director of professional and international scouting from 1995-97. While with the Rangers he was involved in the signing and development of former Major League outfielder Juan Gonzalez and was also responsible for signing former Major League outfielder Sammy Sosa and infielder Rich Aurilia.
Originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 14th-round of the 1978 First-Year Player Draft out of Newton High School in Elmhurst, NY, Minaya played in both the A’s and Seattle Mariners organizations before playing professional in Italy for two seasons from 1983-83. He and his wife, Rachel, have two sons.