Veteran infielder Jose Iglesias has made it abundantly clear that he’d love to don the New York Mets uniform once more for the 2025 season. This comes despite President of Baseball Operations David Stearns recently ruling out the possibility in a press conference.

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Speaking with Jon Heyman, Iglesias shared just how much it “hurts” not to have a chance to return to the Mets after a standout 2024 season. “It hurts because we started something that definitely isn’t finished yet,” Iglesias expressed.

“It took a lot for us to get where we got. That’s what hurts.

I definitely get that it’s a business. But it definitely hurts,” he revealed.

This sentiment emerges in the wake of the Mets choosing to sign utility infielder Nick Madrigal to a one-year split contract, after initially offering a one-year deal to Iglesias. With Madrigal in the fold, Iglesias’ chapter with the Mets appears to have come to a close, and he’s now exploring one-year opportunities on the open market.

In reflecting on his 2024 season with the Mets, Iglesias can’t help but consider it “special” and, in many ways, an “OMG year,” a nod to his hit single “OMG” that became the Mets’ rallying anthem. After the Mets signed him to a minor league deal, Iglesias nearly left baseball altogether after missing two years from the league. But upon his call-up to the majors on May 31—when the Mets were already deep in a hole at 10 games under .500—his offensive prowess and energetic presence rejuvenated the squad.

Between May 31 and July 14, Iglesias was on fire, hitting .380 with a jaw-dropping OPS of .999. The Mets thrived during this period, posting a 26-13 record—the best stretch in baseball at that time.

Iglesias wrapped up his season with enviable numbers: a .337/.381/.448 slash line, four home runs, and 26 RBIs in 85 games. He also achieved a 22-game hitting streak to close out the regular season.

Expressing the depth of his connection with the team and its fanbase, Iglesias said, “It’s definitely a special relationship and culture with the organization, the players and fans.” While he’s keeping his options open and is ready to join another team as full-team workouts begin this week, he remains hopeful that a return to the Mets could still be in the cards.

“It’s not over until I sign with someone else,” Iglesias stated optimistically. “That’s what my gut is telling me.”

The story of Iglesias is a testament to resilience and the unexpected twists of a baseball career. While the door to the Mets seems to be closing, the diamond always has another turn, and perhaps there’s yet another chapter for Iglesias with the Amazins.