NY Mets minor league free agent making his early case to be this year’s Jose Iglesias

No one will replicate exactly what Jose Iglesias did last season. It’s easy to overlook the numbers alone, none better than the .337 batting average, and simply credit him for the attitude he brought. Iglesias hustled on every play, made remarkable defensive plays, and serenaded us with music. He was a one-of-a-kind New York Mets player we’ll never forget.

Others will surely try to replicate what he did on some level. Perhaps the clearest candidate to check off the majority of those boxes this year, Joey Meneses.

Although his MLB resume is limited to just parts of three seasons beginning with his age 30 campaign, upon the signing by the Mets, many of our first thoughts jumped to this idea. He plays all of the positions Iglesias doesn’t, but for this 2025 club, that might be more important as the Mets could be in need of exactly what he has to offer.

Here’s where Joey Meneses could play a role on the Mets immediately

The health of Starling Marte should have fans concerned even if the organization has mostly downplayed the severity. Through three seasons, Marte has practically looked like the guy on the Operation board game. A short-term injury to hold him back from the first few weeks of the season probably means the Mets decide to have someone expendable or optional in his place on the roster. A lengthier stint now or later opens up the possibility of Meneses getting his chance.

Meneses has played both corner outfield positions and first base in his career. Although he profiles mostly as a first baseman/DH type, having at least some availability to play elsewhere is helpful. The Mets wouldn’t necessarily mind if all he did was face left-handed hitters as the right-handed portion of a DH platoon with Jesse Winker.

In his rookie season back in 2022, Meneses broke out with 13 home runs in 240 plate appearances as a member of the Washington Nationals. He struck gold by slashing .324/.367/.563. Washington gave him 657 more plate appearances the following year. While the home run power stagnated at another 13, he had 36 doubles, 89 RBI, and hit a very respectable .275/.31/.401. Struggles last season had him batting .231/.291/.302 in 313 tries thus a trip into free agency and why he was able to sign a minor league deal with the Mets.

Meneses did struggle against lefties last year, hitting only .174/.247/.233. In his major league career with those numbers included, he’s at .277/.328/.434. Consider last year a potential outlier in the worst way. He has been solid against right-handed pitchers as well, batting .272/.320/.398 versus them so this isn’t a complete case of needing to replace him the moment a right-handed reliever enters the game.

His first spring training home run on Saturday against the Miami Marlins added to what right now is a growing case to make him someone the Mets might want to break camp with if Marte is, in fact, IL-bound. There isn’t much of a place for him with the club this season otherwise. Now 3 for 9 with a double and a dinger and no strikeouts, his impressive Winter League performance in Mexico where he managed to bat .320/.386/.511 hasn’t seemed to wear off.