Let’s dig into the latest buzz from around Major League Baseball because while spring training is rolling along, there’s still some last-minute maneuvering happening before MLB Opening Day.
That opener is coming up fast—just under two weeks until the Cubs and Dodgers kick things off in Tokyo. So, let’s run through some of the latest rumors and signings making waves.
Iglesias Lands With San Diego Padres
According to The New York Post, veteran infielder José Iglesias is back with the Padres after signing a minor-league deal. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Iglesias was in the Padres’ system in 2023.
However, he never saw major league action, instead playing 28 games at Triple-A El Paso. Last year, he took a minor-league deal with the Mets—and then, something surprising happened.
At 34, Iglesias put together the best offensive season of his career. In just 85 games, he slashed an impressive .337/.381/.448 (that’s a 137 OPS+ for the analytics), notching a career-high 3.1 WAR. Expecting him to repeat that would be ambitious, but it’s clear the Padres are hoping to strike gold the same way the Mets did.
As it stands, San Diego’s infield is locked in—Luis Arraez, Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts, and Manny Machado have those spots on lockdown.
But baseball is a long season, and injuries happen. If an opportunity opens up, Iglesias could be an intriguing depth option.
Royals, Mets Still Eyeing a Marte Deal?
The Royals have reportedly pushed to trade for Mets outfielder Starling Marte, but while no deal has been finalized, the door isn’t closed yet.
According to The New York Post, the two sides have “not totally extinguished the possibility” of making something happen.
Marte, now 36, is still a productive hitter when healthy. Last season, he played 94 games, posting a .269/.327/.388 line (104 OPS+), with seven homers and 16 steals.
While those numbers aren’t jaw-dropping, he did mash left-handed pitching—hitting .310/.384/.460 against southpaws. That makes him a strong platoon option if not an everyday player.
For now, it looks like the Mets plan to use Marte in a DH platoon with Jesse Winker, but that plan could change if the Royals make a better offer.
Kansas City’s current outfield mix includes Hunter Renfroe, MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel, Dairon Blanco, and Nelson Velázquez. With Melendez and Isbel hitting from the left side, adding a right-handed bat like Marte could create a well-balanced lineup.
So, while nothing is done yet, don’t count this rumor out.
Adolis García Avoids the Worst
Some good news for Rangers fans: Slugging outfielder Adolis García appears to have avoided a major injury after tweaking his oblique during a spring training game.
An MRI confirmed a “pretty mild” strain; according to manager Bruce Bochy, García is still expected to be ready for Opening Day (via MLB.com).
García, 32, was a force in 2023, earning an All-Star nod and finishing 14th in MVP voting. He also had a monster postseason—until a freak injury cut his World Series run short. But 2024 wasn’t as kind to him, as he struggled to a .224/.284/.400 line with just 0.3 WAR.
For the Rangers, who have playoff aspirations, a bounce-back from García would be huge. If they’re going to contend, they need the 2023 version of him, not the one who struggled last season.
The good news is that this oblique issue doesn’t appear to be the kind of setback that will slow him down for long.
Final Thoughts On Latest Move in MLB
These final roster tweaks could make a big difference as spring training winds down. Whether it’s a veteran looking for one last shot (Iglesias), a trade waiting to happen (Marte), or a key player avoiding injury (García)—all these little moves and moments add up.
Now, with just under two weeks until real baseball starts, who else is going to make a splash before the MLB season kicks off? Stay tuned because the rumors haven’t been confirmed yet.
