Tebow’s 12-year absence from the game and lack of obvious major league talent drew detractors since he announced an open tryout for major league clubs, and will surely amplify as he makes his way through the Mets’ minor league system, a process that begins when he reports to instructional league in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on September 18.
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After agreeing to a deal with the Mets on Thursday, the former Heisman Trophy victor will receive a $100,000 bonus, according to the Associated Press’ Ronald Blum.
The excitement in the Southern Tier is building as former NFL Quarterback Tim Tebow signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets on Thursday.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he will consult with Tebow about what to do after that.
“This decision was driven by baseball, we are intrigued with the potential he has”, Alderson said. Why else would he risk another bout of pro sports failure, one to bookend the blinding flash and precipitous fall that characterized his NFL life, when he managed to take the Denver Broncos to an unexpected playoff berth despite subpar arm strength and spotty accuracy, eventually playing his way out of the league when those shortcomings caught up to him?
Tebow hasn’t played baseball regularly since his junior year at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida, where he hit.494 and was all-county as a senior. Tebow had preseason workouts with the New England Patriots in 2013 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. Alderson could not predict what would follow, with options including a place in the Arizona Fall League, another winter league, or continued individualized instruction.
“That’s something I’ve committed to do and for me when I committed to do something it’s my word, it’s more than a contract, it’s who I am”, Tebow said. At the end of next season, I expect him to retire.
“I feel comfortable in outfield, I feel comfortable at first base”, Tebow said, “everything will be an adjustment for me, so it’s all about getting an opportunity to get out there and practice everything”.
Alderson went on to tell us that Mets pitcher Seth Lugo was a 34th round draft pick in 2011, and rookie infielder T.J. Rivera was undrafted. He turns 30 next August, a good five to seven years older than most players making their major league debut, let alone proving their chops in the minor leagues.
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Is Tebow turning to baseball just for the publicity? The Cuban star can opt out of his deal and become a free agent after the World Series. But some further insight has come regarding why Tebow chose the Mets over any other team. “He’s well-liked. I think this is him being competitive, wanting to get that fire again”. I think he’s got a good gig right now with the SEC network, and I’m sure he could do a daily talk show if he wanted.
