By Guillermo Sánchez
Cuban Jose “Candelita” Iglesias has signed a contract for the upcoming 2023 campaign. After he took the option of free agency after finishing his season with Colorado Rockies on November 6, there were many rumors in which the player was involved.
From the Boston Red Sox to the Miami Marlins, both teams at some point showed their intention to have the services of the Cuban infielder. In fact, the rumors gained more momentum when the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired the Venezuelan Miguel Rojas in an agreement with the Florida team.
José Iglesias left a pretty decent offensive line in 2022, where he hit .292/.328/.708 with three home runs, 47 RBI and another 48 runs scored, although his biggest contribution was on the defensive side. Playing 116 games at shortstop for the Rockies last season, he posted a .981 fielding percentage in 429 chances.
Today’s afternoon transpired according to Katie Woo of The Athletic:
Along with Yuli Gurriel, Marlins have also signed José Iglesias to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, source tells me and @Ken_Rosenthal
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) March 10, 2023
Yuli Gurriel and Jose Iglesias join Jorge Soler in Miami
Yulieski Gurriel and Jose Iglesias become the 11th and 12th Cuban-born players (respectively) to join the Miami Marlins.
As previously mentioned in Swing Completo: “On the afternoon of Thursday, March 9, journalist Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic announced on his Twitter account that Yuli Gurriel reached an agreement with the Miami Marlins. The amount of the operation and type of contract is unknown at this moment”.
Although the contract is a minor league contract, the talent of the Havana-born player is perfectly known.
OFICIAL: José "Candelita" Iglesias FIRMÓ con los Miami Marlins y se une a los también #CUBANOS 🇨🇺 Yuli Gurriel y Jorge Soler en la franquicia del Sur de la Florida.
— Daniel de Malas (@daniel_malas) March 10, 2023
El acuerdo de Candelita es de Ligas Menores con invitación al #SpringTraining
Info: @katiejwoo pic.twitter.com/OeDd4jGnVs