Aug 21, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jose Iglesias (11) reacts after a single fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Ex-Met Jose Iglesias sends blunt message after signing minors deal with Padres

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI | By Grant Young | Last updated Mar 8, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Given how integral he was to the team's success during their 2024 season, many New York Mets fans were hoping that veteran infielder Jose Iglesias would re-sign this past offseason and return to Queens.

And after Nick Madrigal went down with a shoulder injury early in the preseason, this seemed to open the door even wider for the Mets' front office to pursue Iglesias in free agency.

Alas, this ended up not being the case, as the San Diego Padres ultimately signed Iglesias to a minor-league contract on March 5.

Jose Iglesias is headed to the Padres on a minors deal with MLB camp invite @ByRobertMurray & @JonHeyman were on it
— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) March 5, 2025

During a recent segment of his Bleacher Report live show, New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman asserted that Iglesias would have made "great sense" for the Mets. In addition to that sentiment, he expressed confusion about Iglesias' contract situation by saying, "I would think that he should be able to get a major league deal."

But despite hitting .337 with an .829 OPS, 4 home runs, and 26 RBI over 85 games for the Mets in 2024, Iglesias still received a minor league deal with San Diego.

Jose Iglesias in his time with the Mets:

.337 AVG
.829 OPS
4 HR
26 RBI

THANK YOU JOSE pic.twitter.com/FqTRWck8im
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) March 5, 2025

According to a March 6 article from Padres on SI's Valentina Martinez, Iglesias sent a clear message about his new contract.

"I don't want to sound arrogant or anything, but I’m not a minor league player at this point of my career," Iglesias is quoted saying.

Although he also conveyed his joy at where he ended up by adding, "This is a great opportunity for me. This is a great opportunity for this organization to continue to grow, to continue to win games. Very happy to be part of [it]."

Iglesias was on a minor-league deal with the Padres back in 2023. But this time, it seems likely he'll be a MLB mainstay.

This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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