The Mets will have an additional experienced infielder to consider for a utility role this spring.
Nick Madrigal, a player known for his glove, was signed Friday, according to the Mets, to a split major league contract.
The major league portion of the contract is worth $1.35 million, according to The Post’s Joel Sherman, and contains another $500,000 in performance bonuses.
Madrigal, 27, spent the last three seasons with the Cubs. Last year, he appeared in 51 games and produced a .535 OPS.
He will join another former Cubs player, Jared Young, in camp as somebody with MLB experience vying for an infield job.
Jose Iglesias shined in a utility infield role for the Mets last season, but there hasn’t been much impetus at this point for a reunion, according to industry sources.
Iglesias hasn’t been ruled out, but team officials also don’t believe it’s necessary to add another veteran backup given the number of infielders within the farm system who might be ready to contribute this year.
It’s a list that includes Luisangel Acuna, Ronny Mauricio and Jett Williams.
The Mets also began playing Brett Baty at second base at Triple-A Syracuse in the second half of last season.
Mauricio missed all of last season rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn anterior circulate ligament — he underwent a subsequent procedure to remove scar tissue from the knee — and it’s possible he won’t be an option to begin the season with the club.
But a player such as Madrigal can be used as a bridge if Mauricio or Acuna isn’t deemed as the best option to begin the season with the club.
The Mets took a similar approach last year, opening the season with Zack Short and Joey Wendle on the roster.
Both were removed from the equation by late May, giving Iglesias an opportunity with the club.
As it stands, the Mets are unsettled in the infield as Pete Alonso’s free agency continues. If Alonso is not re-signed, Mark Vientos and Baty figure into the plan at first base.
But if the Mets and Alonso can still reach an agreement, it would allow Vientos to remain at third.
The New York Mets have made a move to bolster their infield depth by signing former Chicago White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal. The 24-year-old brings a versatile skill set to the Mets, as he can play both second base and shortstop.
Madrigal, a former first-round draft pick out of Oregon State, has shown excellent contact hitting ability throughout his young career. In 2021, he batted .305 with a .346 on-base percentage in 54 games with the White Sox before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury.
With Madrigal in the mix, the Mets now have added depth and flexibility in their infield, giving manager Buck Showalter more options to mix and match his lineup. Madrigal’s ability to make consistent contact and provide solid defense will be valuable assets for the Mets as they look to compete in a tough NL East division.
Overall, the signing of Nick Madrigal is a solid move for the Mets as they continue to build their roster for the upcoming season. His versatility and skill set will undoubtedly make him a valuable asset for the team in the years to come.
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