Veteran infielder Jose Iglesias and the San Diego Padres have reportedly come to terms on a minor league contract. MLB insider Jon Heyman reports the deal is worth $3 million, plus incentives, and includes an invite to major league Spring Training. FanSided’s Robert Murray was the first on the signing. Primarily a shortstop, the 35-year-old utilityman was among the top-ranked middle infielders in the free agent class 2024 25.
Iglesias gets $3M if in majors plus $1M incentives on Padres deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 5, 2025
After not playing in the majors in 2023, Jose Iglesias put together his best season in five years with the New York Mets last season. Signed to a minor league deal, Iglesias had his contract selected in May, hitting .337/.381/.448 over 85 games. By the All-Star break, the 35-year-old was batting .380 with a .999 OPS and aided in the Mets’ mid-season turnaround. Used primarily at third base, Iglesias took over at second when Jeff McNeil suffered a season-ending wrist fracture in September. He finished the regular season on a 22-game hitting streak, batting .395 (34-for-86) with one home run and 4 RBI.
Padres Sign Ex-Mets Infielder Jose Iglesias
An All-Star in 2015, Iglesias has spent time with eight different teams throughout his 12-year major league career. He has built a reputation as one of the league’s most dependable utility infielders since signing with the Red Sox as an international free agent in 2009. Iglesias has spent most of his career at shortstop but has strong defensive metrics at both second and third base. He will likely serve as the primary backup to shortstop Xander Bogaerts and could also see time at third behind Manny Machado.
The 35-year-old possesses excellent contact skills with a career .283/.323 /.386 slash line and a 12.5% strikeout rate. His stats demonstrate a steady presence at the plate and Iglesias’ knack for coming through in clutch situations. During the Mets postseason run, he batted .227 (10-for-44), scoring three runs and driving in three more over 12 games. His signing gives the Padres a valuable on-field option capable of plugging gaps in the infield and stepping up in high-leverage scenarios. Iglesias will look to prove that his strong 2024 campaign was not a fluke and that he can still make an impact at the big-league level.
Main Photo Credits: John Jones-Imagn Images
