Last year, the New York Mets made it clear they were not trying to recreate the positive clubhouse chemistry that defined their 2024 team, and that decision ultimately didn’t work out. Just a season after their unexpected run to the National League Championship Series as a wild-card club, the Mets collapsed in the second half of the following year and narrowly missed the playoffs with an 83–79 record.
During the offseason, the team also parted ways with four of their longest-serving players: Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil. Despite adding several high-profile players through trades and free agency, the Mets believe they are still well positioned to return to the postseason. However, one insider suggests the team might benefit from signing another free agent. The reason is that this particular player played an important role in shaping the strong clubhouse culture the team had in 2024.
On Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggested that the New York Mets should think about bringing back José Iglesias, the veteran infielder who surprisingly delivered All-Star–level production in 85 games for the team during the 2024 season.
Heyman wrote that the Mets, along with the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox, could all look into signing Iglesias, who is currently in North Miami waiting for an opportunity.
However, Iglesias experienced a major decline last season. After posting a 136 OPS+ and 3.1 bWAR with the Mets in 2024, his performance dropped significantly to a 66 OPS+ and –0.7 bWAR while playing for the Padres. The Cuban-born infielder is also heading into his age-36 season.
Mets fans may remember Iglesias not only for his play on the field but also for his music persona, “Candelita,” and his popular song OMG, which became part of the team’s unexpected 2024 run. Still, with the Mets already having strong depth in the infield, it remains uncertain whether the team would seriously consider bringing Iglesias back for another stint.
