José Iglesias’s contract with the Baltimore Orioles was worth $3 million for the first year, with an option for a second year, and he became a free agent again at the end of the 2019 season.
They were searching for a short-term answer to stabilize their infield after moving incumbent Jonathan Villar earlier in the offseason.
In 39 games, he batted .373 with an OPS+ of 160, a performance that no one could have predicted. He was the starting DH for 13 games when he was unable to play defense due to an injury.
The highest OPS+ he had achieved in his prior 8 seasons was 101, but this production blew it out of the water. In light of this, the Orioles attempted to trade him before the deadline but were unable to snare a suitable offer.
On the other hand, on December 2nd, the Los Angeles Angels acquired him in exchange for two prospects, Ps Garrett Stallings and Jean Pinto, from the Chicago White Sox organization.
The Angels were interested in signing him to replace free agency SS Andrelton Simmons. In 114 games with the Angels, he batted .259 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs, a reversal of his previous year’s surging figures.
His offensive struggles didn’t worry the Angels as much as the fact that he made five more errors than he had in any other season, as the typically sure-handed player did.
Where Did José Iglesias Go?
Iglesias signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on January 7, 2020. The contract also contains a $3 million club option for 2021.