Insider shares if Madrigal injury will cause Mets to rethink Iglesias stance

Even earlier than Nick Madrigal of the New York Mets dislocated his left shoulder on Sunday, free-agent utility infielder Jose Iglesias made it identified he would fortunately run it again with the membership after he grew to become a fan favourite in 2024. 

Nevertheless, it appears the Mets will not be in any rush to re-sign Iglesias earlier than March begins. 

“Within the speedy aftermath of the (Madrigal) harm, all indications are that the Mets will follow their plan to emphasise inside depth and adaptability in filling out their bench,” MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY reported on Sunday. “The Mets signed Madrigal to a cut up contract in January, that means that his wage can be completely different enjoying at Triple-A in comparison with the massive leagues. If the workforce re-signed fan-favorite Iglesias to a Main League deal, it will be locked into both carrying him on the roster or designating him for project. Iglesias can’t be optioned.” 

Assuming Madrigal can be sidelined for a while, the favorites to win the Mets’ utility infield job would seemingly be Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna. Baty misplaced the third-base job final yr to 2024 breakout star Mark Vientos, whereas Acuna supplied a spark for the Mets late final season and is simply 22 years outdated. Iglesias turned 35 final month. 

Iglesias basically was an afterthought throughout the Mets group when he formally debuted for the massive league membership on Might 31, 2024. Whereas the Amazins ended that day at 24-33, Iglesias was an enormous motive New York loved a summer time turnaround that ended with the workforce finishing a visit to the Nationwide League Championship Sequence. 

Over 85 regular-season video games, Iglesias hit .337 with 4 dwelling runs and 26 RBI. In fact, such numbers inform solely a part of the story about what he provided as a constructive clubhouse presence for a workforce that appeared headed towards a second consecutive summer time hearth sale firstly of June. 

Particularly, Iglesias’ “OMG” hit track grew to become a rallying cry and celebration for a Mets aspect that stunned many by qualifying for the playoffs. Moreover, Iglesias has huge league expertise enjoying shortstop, which could possibly be helpful for a membership that was with out star Francisco Lindor for some essential September video games when he was coping with a lingering again harm.

“Might the Mets pivot again to ‘Candelita?’ It’s by no means clever to say by no means on this sport, however Madrigal’s harm didn’t considerably alter the dynamics already in place,” Martino added. 

For now, it seems like Mets followers hoping for an Iglesias-related reunion will stay upset for the foreseeable future.