The Mets signed veteran shortstop Jose Iglesias to a minor league contract, per a team announcement. The MVP Sports Group client will be invited to big league camp in spring training.
The 2023 season was the first year in which Iglesias, 33, didn’t play in the big leagues since he missed the 2014 season due to injury. Iglesias went to spring training with the Marlins, didn’t make their Opening Day roster, and opted out of his minor league deal with Miami on April 20. He signed multiple minor league deals with the Padres thereafter, opting out of each.
Despite a solid showing with San Diego’s Triple-A club, Iglesias didn’t get a call to the big leagues with the Padres or another club. He played in 28 games with El Paso, batting .317/.356/.537 in 135 trips to the plate.
Prior to the 2023 campaign, Iglesias was a mainstay on big league rosters. Though he’s rarely provided huge value at the plate, he has a track record of strong glovework at shortstop and is also capable of playing both second base and third base. From 2018-22, Iglesias batted .287/.322/.404 — albeit with much of that production coming at very hitter-friendly home venues like Coors Field and Great American Ball Park.
Iglesias has long displayed excellent bat-to-ball skills, evidenced by his career 12.4% strikeout rate. However, he also rarely walks (career 4.3%), regularly leading to strong batting averages with middling on-base percentages and below-average slugging percentages.
With Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Jeff McNeil at second base and a series of third-base options including Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio and Joey Wendle, there’s no clear path to a regular role for Iglesias on the Mets’ roster. That said, he’ll join Zack Short as a potential utility infield option off the bench and give the Mets an experienced veteran they can stash in the upper minors for depth.
Adding depth has been a major focus for new president of baseball operations David Stearns in his first month-plus on the job. In addition to adding Iglesias, signing Wendle to a big league deal, and claiming Short off waivers, the Mets have added catchers Tyler Heineman and Cooper Hummel via waivers; signed pitchers Andre Scrubb, Kyle Crick and Cole Sulser to minor league contracts, and added righty Austin Adams on a split MLB deal.
good ball player
First cousin of Enrique Iglesias.
Maybe some random Enrique Iglesias, but not the Spanish pop singer.
“Do you know” is a VERY underrated pop song.
AND NOW THAT U’RE GONE
I JUST WANNA B WITH U
AND I CANT GO ON
I WANNA B WITH U
WANNA B WITH U
Under the radar signing that I wish the Sox made. Injuries happen and having him available is a plus even for just second base. The Sox don’t make the playoffs in 21 without him in September.
I love seeing veteran ballplayers getting little deals to extend their career. It’s fun, because we take too many players for granted.
Iglesias is amazing on pop ups. Never seen so many astounding catches.
I don’t understand why Iglesias keeps signing up for situations where he is so obviously blocked. I wonder if he just loves the minor league baseball life.
I wouldn’t mind having him back on the Tigers, if only to have his work ethic and passion for the game rub off on the youngsters. You could do a lot worse if you’re shopping for a big league utility infielder
The depth gets deeper. Pretty soon the Mets will have depth halfway to the center of the Earth. Not that any of these guys are gonna get significant playing time with the big club.
“Stearns will fry for this!” Sincerely, the Long Island loudmouths.
Mets getting much older this season
Interesting that he will be competing with Zack Short, another former Tiger. If I was to pick either, right now, I’d say Short.
If Short would just cut down on the K’s, he could be a steady presence in the bigs.
If Short could cut down on the K’s, he would have already established himself as a big leaguer. He’s useful as a utility piece and has his moments. Both Iglesias and Short are AAAA players.
What’s the difference between a AAAA player, and a Major League bench player?
@Stymeedone
“Difference between AAAA and mlb bench?”
good question.
Usually AAAA players are said to being really good in AAA, and near unplayable in the majors.
They shuttle back and forth, or never have a solid mlb career.
Player progression:
AA
AAA – good to great.
AAAA – > imaginary middle ground.
MLB – not good.
Any word on who won the Erick Fedde sweepstakes? It’s a slow news day and I need something.
@rct
We’re in agreement here. Tomorrow is the last day of the meetings and all we have is that it is “believed” that Shohei met one team, and have talked to others. We’re getting action from guys who would’ve been available in February, and minor activity, but no real moves to talk about.
What the heck is going on!?!?
As for the Fedde Sweepstakes, I hope this satisfies. The Wal*Mart Whammers are having exploratory discussion with him to see if, after he signs his millions with someone, if he’d be open to joining them if things don’t work out. They had team leaders, Yasiel Puig and Robinson Cano in on the meeting for recruiting purposes.
We also have the Yankees saying they’re the front runner on Yamamoto and telling everyone else to back off:
twitter.com/FiresideYankees/status/173204471389587…
Woot Woot! We’ve got movement! Fake movement, but movement!
At this rate, I was hoping that MLB Network would start reporting on the lunch menu…or the hotel accommodations. I’m actually surprised they haven’t after they pulled off that stunt of bringing in some random guy for one of their segments.
@rct As a met fan, that would make me ill
Iglesias and Wendle are gonna be a good DP combo in AAA.
Nice pickup
Mets taking a play from the Yankees play book. Shopping on the Clearance rack and dumpster bin
Loved watching Iglesias’ glovework. If he hot-dogged it a bit was even more entertaining. Don’t know why Detroit wouldn’t give him another shot.
Dodgers could have used him
Not much depth at SS
Lux
Rojas
Taylor
Betts in a pinch
I know I could just look this up, but when the heck did this man enter the league? Seems like this is his 27th year.
2011, at 21.
Really surprised this guy didn’t get into a big league game at all last year. I wondered where he went after a productive 22. I saw holes all over MLB middle infields last season, too. Very odd. Probably bad timing. Possibly took quick deals, instead of just waiting on the right one.
He’ll always have 2020, when his OPS was .956.
I was shocked to see he is a career .280 hitter, when the Mets sign guys they usually get career .180 or worse. LGM