Peoria, Arizona — Jose Iglesias stepped through the Padres’ clubhouse doors on Thursday morning, the result of a minor league agreement that included an invitation to major league spring training.
However, the 35-year-old infielder is not a minor leaguer.
This was his belief when he chose to opt out of his assignment with Triple-A El Paso twice in 2023. A great year that helped propel the New York Mets to the NLCS last year only strengthened that belief.
“It was special,” Iglesias added. “What we did in New York, right where the team was, and when I got there, then turning that page, and getting that team and players going, and being able to perform individually and the way I did and played every day.” It was a dream come true. I was able to make a contribution, which made me extremely delighted.
“This team sees that I can help and I’m here to help.”
To that goal, Iglesias joined his new colleagues for a morning stretch at Peoria Sports Complex. He had previously been seeing live pitching while waiting for his agent to find him a home in 2025, but the Padres hope him to go to game action in the coming days.
“We’re going to be partnering with him on where he’s at physically, what he’s done, what his volume’s at, to make sure we don’t expediate things too quickly to put him in a position where he has, from a health standpoint, some soft tissue (issues) or anything like that,” Mike Shildt, the Padres manager, told ESPN. “Above that, he understands what he requires. He’ll ramp up quickly. He’s a seasoned veteran, so I don’t believe he’s falling behind.
Furthermore, Iglesias has experience catching on late with teams.
In truth, what he’s attempting to do with the Padres — thrust himself into an already tight camp battle for restricted jobs — isn’t all that different from what he’s had to do the previous two seasons.
Iglesias, the AL Rookie of the Year runner-up to Wil Myers in 2013 and an All-Star in 2015, had bounced from the Tigers to the Reds to the Orioles to the Angels to the Red Sox to the Rockies in five years before signing a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins in 2023. However, he failed not make the opening-day roster and had never played in a minor league game before opting out, paving the way for him to sign another minor league contract with the Padres.
Iglesias reported to Triple-A El Paso, recorded seven hits in his first three games in the Pacific Coast League, and went on to hit.317/.356/.537 with four home runs in 28 games while the big league team struggled with veterans Matt Carpenter and Nelson Cruz on the bench.
By the time Cruz was released in July, Iglesias had already opted out of two Padres contracts.
The final one stuck.
“It was a tough year for me all around,” Iglesias remarked. “I went to El Paso, but the possibility never materialized. I played well down there, and it was time for me to go home at that moment. I don’t mean to sound cocky, but I am not a minor league player at this point in my career, and I did it, proved it, and it didn’t work out, which is great.
“And then I went home and loved my family. And then I had another opportunity last year, which I took full advantage of.”
That opportunity, too, started with a minor league contract. Iglesias signed that one in December 2023, went through a full spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and was hitting.When the Mets called him up to replace Brett Baty, he had a 273/.309/.442 batting line and seven home runs in 42 games at Triple-A Syracuse.
New York’s season got off from there.
When Iglesias arrived, the Mets were ten games under.500. They surged to a wild-card slot, which propelled them all the way to the NLCS. On the field, Iglesias posted career highs in batting average (.337), on-base percentage (.381), and slugging (.448) before taking over as starter at second base late in the season after Jeff McNeil injured his wrist. Off the field, his hit song “OMG” became a rallying cry for his teammates and fans, prompting the creation of a sign to commemorate significant events.
Iglesias, also known as “Candelita,” sang the song after a game at Citi Field.
“I won’t lie. “Last year was special,” he remarked. “It was unique because of all the obstacles and ups and downs I’ve faced during my 14-season career, and as I have stated, I see it as an opportunity. Last year, I grabbed it with both hands. I did my best. “I put my heart on the field, and it shows.”
Five months later, Iglesias has signed another minor league contract with the Padres, after his reunion with the Mets fell through.
It remains to be seen whether he will retire “OMG” as a walk-up song in favor of something new for his new opportunity.
“It’s surprising, yes, but I didn’t take it personal at all,” she remarked. “It’s strictly business…. David (Stearns) proceeded in that route, and there is nothing I can do about it. I am pretty confident they were pleased with what I did. I’m quite satisfied with that organization. I will always be grateful for the opportunity. And I would say I am here today because of them. They took me back to the big leagues, and I’m grateful. Excellent relationship with Steve and Alex (Cohen). It’s just that things don’t always work out the way they should, and everything has a purpose.
“I believe in it. I believe it is time for me to stay with the Padres and continue to grow while also contributing to a championship-winning club.”
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