Another summer of OMG?
There are important intangibles José Iglesias could bring to the Mets roster again
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
Jose Siri continues to impress defensively in the Dominican Winter League—watch him run down this drive from ex-Met Robinson Canó (SNY)
Rumor Mill 💨
The Cubs, Blue Jays, and Mariners are among the teams interested in free-agent infielder Yoan Moncada (Francys Romero)
Boston is considering utilizing a six-man rotation in 2025 (The Athletic)
The Cardinals would like to find late inning relief help (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
Bringing back Jose Iglesias should be a priority… ✍️
We all know the high-profile free-agent the Mets simply have to find a way to retain. The situation with Pete Alonso has been written about ad nauseam—especially on the this platform—and we’re all on the same page.
Losing Alonso would leave a Polar Bear sized hole at first base in Flushing, but let’s not continue to beat that dead horse today.
Instead, let’s talk about José Iglesias.
By now, the story of Iglesias’ 2024 campaign is a well-documented fairy tale. After not playing an inning in the Majors in ‘23, the veteran joined the Mets via a minor league deal and less than two months into the season found himself in Queens.
First promoted to be a role player with the Mets searching for more production from their back-up infielder spot than Joey Wendle and Zack Short had provided, Iglesias very quickly became much more than that.
With Jeff McNeil struggling Iglesias began cutting into his playing time at second base, and his consistent offensive production made it near impossible to take him out of the line-up. McNeil was injured around Labor Day, and heading down the stretch and into October it was Iglesias starting every day.
The 35-year-old finished the regular season with a .337/.381/.448 slash line. He contributed four home runs, 16 doubles, drove in 26 runs, and swiped six bases. In the games he didn’t start he typically entered later as a defensive replacement.
And we all know his impact on this team extended well beyond his numbers.
Iglesias’ hit song OMG became the anthem of the Mets season. He performed the song on the field following a Mets win over Houston, and as a collective whole the club used the single as their battling cry.
Iglesias and his unwavering positivity was a critical component to the Mets success, and there’s a case to be made that he was the most impactful ‘glue guy’ this organization has ever employed.
To me, re-signing Iglesias is an absolute no brainer.
I believe the Mets would trade McNeil if they could to open up second base for one of their young players like Luisangel Acuna, but even if that doesn’t happen, Iglesias returning as the utility infielder should happen.
If McNeil is on the team, Acuna isn’t going to be on the bench, he’d be in Triple-A getting regular at-bats. Iglesias would give the club someone manager Carlos Mendoza is obviously comfortable utilizing as both an everyday starter and a bench player.
He’d once again be an overwhelmingly positive influence in the clubhouse and continue to do his part to keep the vibes in Queens at an all-time high.
While Alonso coming back makes too much sense not to happen, I would argue the same can be said about Iglesias.
Summer of OMG part two incoming?
Around the League 🚩
The Royals signed Cavan Biggio to a minor league deal (Official)
Ridiculous to say that just because Iglesias had such a great season last year he won't have a very good one this year. He may not be off-the charts, but he's a lifetime .283 hitter with a fabulous glove and a clutch player. He's always been good. Listen to Keith and Rod all last season: "He's just a good, good baseball player." Teams like the Rockies, Marlins, Padres and others didn't know what they had. The Mets gave him a real chance and he came through.
Sign Iglesias.
Iglesias was such a positive force in 2024. I liked him from his first press conference when he joined the Mets on the MLB level. In that conference, which left an indelible impression on me, Iglesias said in a friendly, genuine voice to fans, how happy he was to be here. This was at the Mets lowest point in the season! It struck me of his positivity and what he could bring to the team. And man, did he impress on the field, too, beyond imagination.
What a bonus he would be this year, especially if the Mets bring up their young prospects. His positivity, style of play, experience, and enthusiasm would leave a valuable lasting impression on the youngsters.