Both Backman and Lopez were brought into the organizational fold by former GM Omar Minaya.
Lopez came to the Mets after serving both as coach and manager (2001-2007) in the Texas Rangers organization. In 2008, Minaya placed him on the (R) Kingsport coaching staff, then tasked Lopez in 2009 with managing the (Short-A) Brooklyn Cyclones.
After a long controversial meandering road, and seemingly having nowhere else to go, the Mets organization came to Backman’s rescue in 2010 by providing their beleaguered former second baseman a safe haven. Despite initial indecision as to whether he would manage (Double-A) Binghamton or (A+) Port St.