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New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Former New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is joining the Major League Baseball Players Association staff as a senior advisor to executive director Tony Clark.

Minaya spent the past three years with the San Diego Padres as a senior vice president of baseball operations.

The 56-year-old Minaya will focus on the areas of domestic game development and international affairs and play.

"I have long considered myself a players' administrator with a complete belief that the players are not only the face of the game, but they provide the sport with its heart and soul," said Minaya.

"I share the players' and Tony's views on the state of the game, especially as they relate to what active and inactive players are doing to help develop the game, widen its appeal and excite the next generation of players, while ensuring the integrity of the competition on the field is maintained."

After injuries ended his playing career, Minaya joined the Texas Rangers' scouting team in 1985, where he helped sign Sammy Sosa.

Minaya became baseball's first Hispanic general manager when the Montreal Expos hired him in 2002. From 2005-10, he was the Mets' GM.

"We feel fortunate to be in a position to hire someone with Omar's experience and reputation," said Clark. "His vast and diverse knowledge of all aspects of the sport will afford the union and our members an unprecedented and invaluable level of expertise in any of a growing number of issues of importance to players, domestically and abroad."

Minaya joined the Padres in 2011.