The Mets may not be done making roster moves just yet.
Rumors circulated that New York had been in talks with Jose Iglesias, and on Thursday evening, Jon Heyman of *The New York Post* confirmed the speculation:
“The Mets apparently haven’t completely ruled out a return for Jose Iglesias (aka Candelita),” Heyman reported.
However, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up, as a reunion remains unlikely due to the team’s current roster composition. The Mets plan to utilize infielders Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña in regular roles and have already signed Nick Madrigal, who fills a similar role to what Iglesias played last season.
Iglesias, coming off a strong 2024 campaign, is seeking a multi-year contract. In 85 games, he posted a .337/.381/.448 slash line and recorded a career-best 3.1 bWAR.
For a return to Queens, Iglesias would likely need to accept a one-year deal, making salary negotiations the deciding factor. At this stage of his career, he will probably sign with the team offering the most lucrative contract.
The veteran infielder provided a much-needed spark for the Mets after being called up from Triple-A Syracuse on May 31. At that point, the team had a 24-33 record, among the worst in the National League. Following his arrival, they surged to a 65-40 record, the best in MLB during that span.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Iglesias made an impact off the field with his hit song *OMG*, released under his moniker Candelita. The track became a fan-favorite anthem, and Iglesias even performed it at Citi Field following a Mets win in June. His musical success earned him an invitation to perform before the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field, the venue for the All-Star Game, where his teammate Pete Alonso competed.
