x
Breaking News
More () »

Mets GM Sandy Alderson believes Tim Tebow will eventually play in MLB

"He's been super for us in the first year-plus. ...We thought he would best benefit for being in major league camp.
Aug 7, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; St. Lucie Mets designated hitter Tim Tebow (15) looks on from the dugout in the game against the Florida Fire Frogs at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The moment Tim Tebow officially became an MLB prospect occurred roughly around 12:10 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson was praising Tebow for his first year in the minors when he suddenly changed the narrative surrounding the ex-Jets quarterback.

“I think he will play in the major leagues. That’s my guess. That’s my hope and to some extent now after a year and a half, a modest expectation," Alderson said on the eve of the Mets' first full-squad workout. "I’m happy he’s here. I think he’s great for the team and great for baseball and was phenomenal for minor league baseball last year. The notion he should’ve been excluded from the game because he’s not coming through the traditional sources is crazy. This is entertainment too. He quietly entertains us.”

With that statement, Tebow's attempt to play in the majors now has to be viewed within a different prism. No longer can the outfielder be considered a novelty act. The Mets view him as a potential big leaguer, and Tebow needs to scrutinized as such even if he faces daunting odds to stick around the majors for more than a cup of coffee.

The door is now open for Tebow to join the ranks of professional dual-sport athletes.

"My goal isn’t about what’s going to happen one day. My goal is to focus on this day – my outfield work, my training sessions, my getting to know all the new coaches and working as hard as I can," Tebow said after reporting to camp. "One of the important things about being athlete is being able to lock in and have tunnel vision, because I can’t worry about one day if I’m going to play in the bigs or not. ...Wherever they decide to put me, I’m going to be able to lock in and give it everything I have."

The partnership between Tebow and the Mets has always been heavily scrutinized due to his lack of experience and the harsh reality about him ever being a useful player.

The Mets were criticized for signing Tebow, but Alderson maintained that there was no downside to the move. Alderson wanted to give Tebow a chance, and noted that there's an entertainment aspect to this business. Tebow is also known for being a positive role model, and the Mets have enjoyed having him around their younger prospects.

Tebow hit .226 with a .656 OPS last year in Class A, and while those numbers are fine for a player who had last played in high school, they do not project a big-league player.

The reality of the situation is the Mets have to be aggressive with Tebow due to his age, and it's why he's in major league camp this year and slated to start the year in Class AA Binghamton, according to sources. Scouts may be unkind to Tebow's swing and his chances, but it will only be so long before Tebow starts hearing questions about the XFL.

"We’re very pleased with his progress so far. This experiment on his part has evolved from when it first started and we signed him and it’s something much more meaningful and somewhat greater expectations," Alderson said. "He's been super for us in the first year-plus. ...We thought he would best benefit for being in major league camp, that would accelerate his development rather than falling back on protocol."

Alderson downplayed the attendance factor that Tebow generates, but it's safe to say Tebow would draw a bigger crowd in September than other prospects that get the call. Whether fans love him or hate him, they will be talking about him if he's a Met.

Tebow's popularity and commercial appeal has been on display here in Florida where he is beloved for winning two national titles and a Heisman Trophy with Florida.

One fan wandered around the complex Sunday wearing Tebow's collegiate jersey, and one vendor was was selling two shirts embroidered with Tebow's name and number. Mets Stars like ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard only had one shirt for sale.

Perhaps it won't be too long before the two are teammates in New York.

"A lot of times people would judge it if I view success in making the bigs or not. I view success in being able to play the game I love every day, try to make the players and coaches around me better, have a great attitude, work and be the best I can. If the best I can be is in the bigs, that would be awesome," Tebow said. "I believe in myself so I want to strive for that. But if that doesn’t happen, I won’t look back and regret that I played baseball because I’ve already enjoyed it, I’ve put so much work into it and it’s been fun."

Before You Leave, Check This Out