ESPN: The Fans Favorite $3 million Infielder Betrays Mets, Sign With NL West Contender.
The New York Yankees and New York Mets both require infielders. Nick Madrigal, the Mets’ recently acquired shortstop, was placed on the 60-day disabled list after breaking his shoulder in a spring game against the Washington Nationals on February 23. After losing second baseman Gleyber Torres in free agency and suffering a string of injuries during spring training, which has now resulted in the absence of third baseman D.J. LeMahieu due to a strained calf, the Yankees’ infield appears to be in disarray.
However, both teams have had every chance to sign a seasoned free agency middle infielder whose offensive output over the previous five seasons has surpassed LeMahieu’s, while not being very impressive. However, Jose Iglesias, a 12-year veteran at 35, was passed on by the Yankees. Fans would have been ecstatic to reunite with Iglesias, who not only recorded an incredible.830 OPS in 85 games for the team in 2024, but also achieved a No. 1 hit single on Billboard Magazine’s Latin chart with his song “OMG,” which swiftly became the unofficial theme song of the Mets during their unlikely run to the National League Championship Series. Nevertheless, the Mets were unable to sign Iglesias.
Iglesias, however, will not be going back to New York, either to do more “OMG” magic in Queens or to save the struggling Bronx Bombers in the infield. The middle infielder, who was born in Cuba, has instead signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres, who have been the NL West’s second-place club for three of the last five seasons, according to a report by MLB.com’s Jack Magruder.
As per the agreement, Iglesias will participate in the Padres’ spring training with the major league team and will get $3 million in pay for the season if he is promoted to the main league roster. According to MLB insider journalist Jon Heyman, incentive clauses may increase Iglesias’s 2025 salary by an additional $1 million. In an earlier interview with the Mets’ cable television network SNY, Iglesias had stated his desire of rejoining the team, saying, “It’s not over until I sign with someone else.” The Yankees and Mets are still looking for infield answers, and he has since signed with someone else.
