NEW YORK -- Longtime Mets executive Omar Minaya, who was among the cuts the team made last week as part of an overhaul of the front office under new owner Steve Cohen and incoming team president Sandy Alderson, issued a statement on Monday in which he wished the organization well going forward.

“I want to congratulate Steve Cohen on becoming the owner of this historic franchise,” Minaya wrote. “Steve is a friend, and I know that this has been a lifelong dream of his. I am confident that Steve's passion, competitiveness and commitment to excellence will make Mets fans proud.”

Minaya, who will celebrate his 62nd birthday on Tuesday, was born in the Dominican Republic. His family moved to Queens at the age of 8 and he grew up, in his own words, “in the shadow of Shea Stadium.” After a short-lived playing career in the Minor Leagues, Minaya became a scout with the Texas Rangers in the 1980s and went on to sign the likes of Sammy Sosa, Juan González and Hall of Famer Iván Rodríguez.

Minaya first joined the Mets' front office in the mid-90s, eventually becoming assistant general manager under Steve Phillips. In 2002, Minaya left New York to become the general manager of the Montreal Expos, making history as the first Latin American executive to hold that title with a Major League team. Minaya returned to the Mets as general manager after the '04 season and served in that capacity until he was let go after the '10 campaign.

In a move that raised some eyebrows around the league, in December 2017 Minaya rejoined the club a third time as a special assistant to Alderson, who had succeeded him as general manager. The team retained Minaya in that role when Alderson was replaced by Brodie Van Wagenen, who also was let go on Friday.

In his most recent role with the team, Minaya focused on international and amateur scouting. Here is his full statement:

I would like to thank Jeff Wilpon, Saul Katz and Fred Wilpon for their friendship and the opportunity they have given me to be part of the New York Mets family.

Fred and I have had a father-son relationship for many years, and I am looking forward for that relationship to continue.

I want to congratulate Steve Cohen on becoming the owner of this historic franchise. Steve is a friend, and I know that this has been a lifelong dream of his. I am confident that Steve's passion, competitiveness, and commitment to excellence will make Mets fans proud.

I also would like to congratulate Sandy Alderson on his new position. I've worked with Sandy and competed against him for many years, and I know that he is going to do all he can to bring this franchise a World Series championship.

I want to thank Brodie Van Wagenen, the Mets players and all the Mets baseball operations people, especially our scouts and player development staff who I worked with on a daily basis. I also would like to thank all the Mets stadium operations, grounds crew, security, ushers, clubhouse staff, trainers and doctors who for the past twenty years have made Shea Stadium and Citi Field a family environment.

Most importantly, I would like to thank the fans. There are no greater fans in baseball than New York Mets fans. As a kid who grew up in the shadow of Shea Stadium, it has been an honor to be part of this organization.

Let's Go Mets,

Omar from Queens