Infielder Jose Iglesias was one of the better players left in free agency. He finally found a home for the 2025 season on Wednesday.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Padres signed Iglesias to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Heyman further noted that the deal would be worth $3 million if he were to crack the major league roster with an additional $1 million in incentives.
Iglesias put together a career year in 2024 despite appearing in just 85 games. He posted a .337/.381/.448 batting line in 291 plate appearances, hitting four homers and 16 doubles. Iglesias even became an unexpected inspiration during the Mets’ improbable playoff run, as his song “OMG” became the team’s anthem.
He now joins a Padres team that needs proven infield depth. Infielder Ha-Seong Kim departed in free agency, signing a two-year deal worth up to $31 million with the Rays. While Iglesias had been a shortstop for most of his career, he received time at second and third last season.
That positional versatility is sorely needed. While Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts are entrenched at third and short, respectively, there are more questions on the right side of the infield. Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth are currently atop the depth chart at first and second, but neither is a strong defensive player. Iglesias, meanwhile, was solid defensively at second and third last season. He could push Arraez or Cronenworth to the designated hitter spot, improving the Padres’ defense.
Regression is to be expected with Iglesias. He had an absurd .382 batting average on balls in play in 2024 (the league average is .296) despite a mediocre hard-hit percentage and average exit velocities. However, even if he performs closer to his career .283/.323/.386 slash line, he would remain a potential bargain for the Padres.
