Padres make surprise free agent signing and add Mets' 2024 second-half star

If the San Diego Padres didn't already have infield depth, they indisputably do now. Following a rather quiet offseason in the free agent market, the Friars have made a few splashes late in the game. After signing Jason Heyward and Nick Pivetta within the last few weeks, San Diego has reportedly signed a minor league deal (with a camp invite) with veteran middle infielder Jose Iglesias.

Iglesias, 35, took the New York Mets by storm in 2024 after batting .337 in 85 games, including a red-hot .371 clip in September to get Queens excited for a deep postseason run.

Padres make surprise free agent signing and add Mets' 2024 second-half star

Iglesias' return to the Mets felt likely, considering he was a fan favorite after releasing his hit single OMG, which became an anthem for the team. Once New York signed Pete Alonso, however, those conversations dwindled, which sent Iglesias back to the free agency pool.

Now, the Padres could have an embarrassment of riches scattered around their infield. Although Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth will likely occupy the middle-infield, there will be days when Luis Arraez slots from first base to designated hitter. That would move Cronenworth over to first base, giving Iglesias potentially some burn at second. Iglesias is mainly a shortstop, so if Bogaerts ever needs a day to rest, he can slot in there, too. Iglesias also has some experience at third base, so perhaps we could see him play a few games at the hot corner whenever Manny Machado is out of the lineup.

The Padres will be Iglesias' eighth team he's suited up for. A career journeyman, Iglesias has only spent more than one season with one team, which is the Detroit Tigers from 2013-18. He is a career .283 hitter and he posted a career-high 3.1 bWAR in 2024. Although he is another aging addition for the Padres, Iglesias has found a second wave of success that San Diego clearly was intrigued by.

It took the Padres a while to get going on the free agency train, but they have done a better job of signing deals with productive players once they missed out on Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki. San Diego didn't dwell on him going to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and since, has improved the depth chart going into the 2025 season.