Oct 9, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jose Iglesias (11) celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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No Mets reunion for Jose Iglesias as he agrees to Minor League deal with Padres

Oh my god!

The “OMG” anthem that became synonymous with the Mets’ clubhouse celebrations won’t be making a return to Citi Field in 2025. Veteran infielder Jose Iglesias, a key contributor to the Mets’ run to the NLCS last season, has agreed to a minor-league deal with the San Diego Padres. The contract includes an invitation to big-league camp, giving Iglesias a chance to earn a spot on San Diego’s roster.

Jose Iglesias in his time with the Mets:

.337 AVG
.829 OPS
4 HR
26 RBI

THANK YOU JOSE 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/FqTRWck8im
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) March 5, 2025

Iglesias, 35, previously spent time with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in 2023 but didn’t appear in a Major League game that year. He joined the Mets on a minor-league deal in 2024 and quickly became an impact player after being called up two months into the season. In 85 games, he slashed .337/.830 OPS with four home runs, 16 doubles, 26 RBIs, and 39 runs over 291 plate appearances. His performance was instrumental in solidifying the Mets’ infield and providing a spark during their postseason push.

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Beyond his contributions on the field, Iglesias also became a fan favorite in Queens for an entirely different reason, his song “OMG.” The track, which he released under his stage name, Candelita, took on a life of its own in the Mets’ clubhouse. The team even had an “OMG” sign in the dugout to celebrate big moments, and Iglesias even performed the song after one game at Citi Field in an absolutely electric moment between fans and players.

Jose Iglesias left a lasting impact on the Mets in such a short time in Queens. Thank you for literally everything you have done for this organization, Jose 💙🧡pic.twitter.com/U68OErHUwX
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) March 5, 2025

A 12-year MLB veteran, Iglesias owns a career .283 batting average with 51 home runs and 392 RBIs. His resurgence with the Mets in 2024, where he posted a 3.1 WAR (per Baseball Reference), proved that he still has plenty left in the tank. Now, he’ll look to carve out a role with the Padres, hoping to bring his steady bat and veteran presence to San Diego’s infield mix.

Jose Iglesias

Mets

Padres

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.