Port St. Lucy – Omgoodbye.
According to the president of baseball business David Stearns, the desire to evaluate young players while maintaining roster flexibility led to the Mets leaving Jose Iglesias this offseason.
At the first press conference in spring training, Stearns indicated Wednesday that it is unlikely that free agent Iglesias will return.
Last year's Iglesias was the mastermind who was produced in the lineup and emerged as a character in the Key Clubhouse.
“Where we are at this point, it's important to keep some paths open for the younger players because of that role on the team,” Stearns said. “I think it's important to have roster flexibility in that location.”
Stearns said at one point last season the club didn't have a backup position player with minor league options remaining and didn't leave the Mets “frozen.”
“It's really hard to freeze an entire roster of position players,” Stearns said.
Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeill, Francisco Lindor and Mark Bientos are infield starters.
Those who have the opportunity to win a backup job at camp include Nick Madrigal, Brett Batty and Louissangel Aknya.
The 35-year-old Iglesias created the .337/.381/.448 slash line with 291 plate appearances for the Mets after failing to find a major league job the previous season.
