Spring Training Should Have Mets Considering Jose Iglesias Reunion

OMG.

The New York Mets could be without their starting shortstop, Francisco Lindor, for Opening Day after he underwent hamate bone surgery on Wednesday.

The Mets, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza, are optimistic that Lindor will be ready for the start of the regular season. However, the six-week recovery timeline puts Lindor right up against Opening Day and it couldn't hurt to bring in an insurance option.

That's where old friend and spark plug infielder Jose Iglesias would make sense as a reunion candidate on a minor league deal.

Iglesias, 36, is still out there on the free agent market and was a big reason why the 2024 Mets went all the way to the NLCS that year. Iglesias and J.D. Martinez also brought the Mets clubhouse closer together and their presence was sorely missed in 2025.

Iglesias had a fantastic lone season with the Mets in '24, where he slashed .337/.381/.448 with a .830 OPS, four home runs and 26 RBI with a 3.1 bWAR in 85 games. He also has the ability to play shortstop, second base and third base.

With Lindor out, the Mets have Vidal Brujan, Ronny Mauricio, Jackson Cluff, Grae Kessinger and Christian Arroyo expected to get shortstop reps in camp. The team is not currently planning on having Bo Bichette play short as he is trying to learn a new position at third base.

Despite having a multitude of young options at the position in spring training, Iglesias would be a veteran low-risk, high-reward type of minor league signing.

As long as Iglesias remains available in free agency, the Mets should be considering a reunion with the one they call "candelita" who made such a significant impact in Queens two seasons ago.

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