The 2025 Jose Iglesias is...

Morning Dose: Monday, January 6

☀️ Good Morning:

It’s been 78 days since the Mets lost to the Dodgers in the NLCS, and we are 80 days away from Opening Day.

It’s officially the dead middle of the offseason.

Whether you already have snow outside your window this morning, it’s on its way, or the temperature dial is simply stuck on frozen, we forgive you if baseball is the furthest thing from your mind.

The weather keeps calling for a Polar Bear, but news never comes. Although, ESPN’s Jeff Passan writes this morning, “At this point, Alonso will almost certainly get an opt-out-laden short-term deal, and the Mets do have a gaping hole at first, and until another team steps up, the expectation will be a renewal of vows.”

Passan notes the Mets are still “talking” about adding an outfielder, along with relievers and a starter. There is plenty of time to put the final touches on the 2025 roster.

With so much focus on the big-name free agents and the everyday lineup, I thought it would be useful to discuss the bench, and how a familiar name could turn into an interesting replacement for Jose Iglesias.

☕️ Grab your coffee for your morning dose of Mets Fix!

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🔧 Bench Work

There are so many moments we could point to as turning points to the 2024 season: some vibe-based, like Grimace; some leadership-based, like Francisco Lindor’s team meeting; and several on-field surprises, such as the emergence of Sean Manaea and Luis Severino.

For my money, the biggest X-factor that overlaps with each of those categories was undoubtedly Mr. OMG, himself, Jose Iglesias.

Signed to a minor-league contract after spending the entire 2023 season out of the majors, Iglesias found his way onto the roster after the Brett Baty Experience failed to produce quick results.

Taking action: Fans will recognize the names, but might have forgotten David Stearns made a slew of roster moves on the same day at the end of May that proved this front office wasn’t content with the status quo.

• That’s when the third-base keys were handed to Mark Vientos, when Luis Torrens replaced Omar Narváez and Iglesias was added to the bench.

• Two of those players remain key pieces in 2025 (and beyond).

If you’re reading this newsletter, I don’t have to remind you how important Iglesias was to the club’s success last season. He gave manager Carlos Mendoza someone who could play second or third, while occasionally spelling Lindor at short. And all he did was hit.

The Cuban native finished the season batting .337 with an eye-popping .381 (!) on-base percentage. Importantly, he became a key neutralizer against left-handed pitching, hitting southpaws like he was Ted Williams with a .402 average.

Iglesias turned 35 on Sunday and remains unsigned. However, his fit on the 2025 roster is a bit awkward when you consider the importance of developing the likes of Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, not to mention Mr Baty.

Which brings us to the point of how the Mets can replace Iglesias’ role on the roster.