3 former NY Mets players could be the cure for what ails the Yankees

Spring training is in full swing, but injuries have already begun arising. The New York Mets have already suffered a few, with Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea slated to open the year on the injured list, as well as infielder Nick Madrigal undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. However, they are not the only New York team that has had either injuries or still has roster holes to fill. The New York Yankees’ roster has some weak points, and these three former NY Mets players could help solve some of their depth chart issues.

1) Jose Iglesias

Jose Iglesias was signed to a minor league deal last offseason. He was only expected to serve as a depth piece, as he did not play in the big leagues in 2023 and had just an 87 wRC+ for the Colorado Rockies in 2022. But nobody could have expected him to make such a large impact on the Mets’ season, both on and off the field.

On the field, Iglesias became one of the Mets’ hottest hitters in the second half of the season. In 85 games and 291 plate appearances, Iglesias batted .337/.381/.448 with a .362 wOBA, and 137 wRC+. The veteran infielder has always been known to keep up a low K% and went down on strike three just 13.5% of the time. However, he rarely walked and had just a 4.1% BB%. He only had four homers and a .111 ISO, but overall, he was a well above average bat. 

He also provided solid defense on the infielder. At second base, he had +1 defensive run saved and out above average in 477 innings. He was even better at the hot corner, where he had +4 DRS and +2 OAA in just 180 innings. Most of Iglesias’ innings in his career have been at shortstop, where he has logged nearly 8500 frames. But he only saw 18 innings across six games at the position in 2024.

He was also a huge part of the Mets’ veteran leadership in 2024. He made a huge impact on the team’s clubhouse as the Mets went from a sub-.500 team at the time of Iglesias’ debut, to having the most wins in baseball after his Mets’ debut, and falling just two wins shy of making the World Series. His song “OMG” became a huge part of the Mets’ culture, as Iglesias performed it multiple times throughout the season.

Unfortunately, it does not seem like the Mets are interested in a reunion with Iglesias, even after Nick Madriga’s season-ending shoulder surgery. The Mets have both Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio on hand. However, this could open the door for the Yankees. D.J. LeMahieu is currently atop the Yankees’ depth chart at third base. Iglesias going to the Yankees would be a gut punch for Mets fans, but the Yankees do have the need and the opportunity for regular playing time in the infield.