Both the New York Mets and the New York Yankees find themselves in a precarious position as they approach the regular season, with both teams dealing with unexpected infield vacancies. For the Mets, the issue arose when newly acquired shortstop Nick Madrigal suffered a fractured shoulder during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals on February 23. The severity of the injury forced the team to place him on the 60-day injured list, leaving a significant gap in their infield depth before the season even began.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are facing their own infield conundrum, one that has only worsened with time. The situation first took a turn when second baseman Gleyber Torres departed in free agency, leaving a hole in their lineup. That loss was compounded by a string of unfortunate injuries during spring training, culminating in third baseman D.J. LeMahieu being sidelined with a sore calf. As a result, the Yankees’ infield, which once looked stable, now appears to be a patchwork unit lacking reliable options.
Despite their pressing needs, both teams had the opportunity to shore up their infield depth by signing an experienced free-agent infielder who could provide immediate help. One such option was Jose Iglesias, a veteran middle infielder with 12 years of MLB experience. While not known for his power, Iglesias has been a consistent offensive performer, and his numbers over the past five seasons have actually surpassed those of LeMahieu. However, the Yankees chose not to pursue the 35-year-old, electing to explore other alternatives instead.
The Mets also had the chance to bring Iglesias back into the fold, which likely would have excited their fanbase. After all, the Cuban-born infielder had a highly productive stint with the team in 2024, posting an impressive .830 OPS over 85 games. Beyond his on-field contributions, Iglesias also made an impact off the field, scoring a No. 1 hit single on Billboard Magazine’s Latin chart with his song OMG. That track quickly became an unofficial anthem for the Mets as they embarked on their improbable journey to the National League Championship Series. Given that history, a reunion seemed like a natural fit, but the Mets ultimately passed on the opportunity.
Instead, Iglesias will be taking his talents to the West Coast. According to a report by Jack Magruder of MLB.com, he has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres, a team that has consistently been in contention behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, finishing as runners-up in three of the past five seasons. The deal includes an invitation to the Padres’ major league spring training camp, giving Iglesias a chance to compete for a roster spot. If he earns a promotion to the big-league club, his contract will pay him a base salary of $3 million for the season, with incentive clauses potentially adding another $1 million to his earnings, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
Iglesias himself had previously expressed a desire to return to the Mets, telling the team’s cable network, SNY, “It’s not over until I sign with someone else.” However, with his new deal in place, that door is now closed. As the Mets and Yankees continue to scramble for solutions to their infield dilemmas, Iglesias will look to carve out a role in San Diego, leaving New York fans wondering what could have been.
“Mets Fan Favorite Stuns New York, Turns His Back on Queens for $3 Million Deal with NL West Contender—Ditches Reunion to Chase Championship Dreams!”
