Advertisement

New York Mets signing Tim Tebow is a stunt -- unless he can be the unicorn

By Roger Rubin, The Sports Xchange
By signing TIm Tebow the New York Mets get attention, money and maybe a role model. But with training and experience, maybe he can transform into the successful player in the MLB that he was not in the NFL. Maybe he is the unicorn. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
By signing TIm Tebow the New York Mets get attention, money and maybe a role model. But with training and experience, maybe he can transform into the successful player in the MLB that he was not in the NFL. Maybe he is the unicorn. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

It was just a month ago that Tim Tebow issued invitations to a football-style showcase to all 30 Major League Baseball teams.

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson was asked if his team might be interested in the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback. He responded with a joke: "Are you insinuating we need a Hail Mary?"

Advertisement

Alderson wasn't exactly joking Wednesday after the club announced it signed Tebow to a minor league contract with a reported $100,000 signing bonus. Even so, it was hard to believe that he was serious when he said on a conference call with the media "in terms of power, in terms of arm, in terms of foot speed, all of those things, we think he can be a baseball player."

Advertisement

Tebow is 29 years old. He hasn't played competitive baseball since he was a star high school junior.

At the showcase, he hit for power in batting practice but looked seriously overmatched against live pitching. Reviews of his defense and his arm were mixed, based on what scouts said.

He is Tim Tebow -- and if you remember the magic he conjured in helping Florida to two national championships, he can't be counted out -- but the chances he reaches the big leagues? Install him now as one of the biggest longshots of all-time.

Alderson pointed out that longshots do come in and cited 34th-round pick Seth Lugo, who is now thriving in the Mets' rotation as they surge toward another postseason, and T.J. Rivera, an undrafted free agent now getting regular time with the Mets. But let's cut through to what this probably is.

By signing Tebow, the Mets are getting huge attention because the nation has an appetite for all things Tebow. The Mets likely will end up selling a whole lot of tickets and merchandise with his name on it at whatever minor league club they assign him. And Alderson claims that he likes the idea of young players being exposed to Tebow because "this is an opportunity for us to associate with excellence."

He never choked or coughed when he said it.

Tebow already has signed an endorsement deal, gets the signing bonus and has a chance to build his brand even further. His signed baseball gear is already being sold on the internet.

The Mets are fine with the former quarterback fulfilling his contract with ESPN's SEC Network as a broadcaster, even if it means he takes weekends off.

There were other interested teams, reportedly as many as 10, and some were not all right with the broadcaster thing. OK, so now it smacks of something insincere. A little bit, anyway.

In reality, this is probably a no-lose situation for either side. The Mets get attention and money and maybe a role model. Tebow gets attention and money. But that's only if this thing doesn't go sideways on both parties.

Tebow is going to report to report the instructional league sometime next week and compete against players fresh out of high school or junior college or college. He will be there when he is not broadcasting. Then there are the possibilities that he either plays in the Arizona Fall League, a winter league in Central America or gets personal one-on-one instruction in Florida (that's the bet here). But there is going to be a temptation to invite him to camp for spring training.

For the Mets, there could be a windfall. People will come out. People will buy tickets and all the things they get when they go to a game and any gear available with Tebow's name on it. And with that temptation will come the potential distractions.

Tebow, though he has virtually no chance of making the big league club, will be the headliner because that is what people want. Alderson, manager Terry Collins and the players who will be on the 25-man roster? They get the treat of being asked about Tebow every day by the media. What did you think of him? What do you think his chances are?

Here's something that really is no secret. There are plenty of big league players who probably admire Tebow for his feats at Florida, and there may be others who admire the way he has been a beacon for devout Christians. But they don't dig him playing baseball. Not at all. In fact, many are insulted that they have dedicated their life to perfecting their craft and don't like the idea that this guy can show up with a glove and a bat and think he can do what they have been trying to do for all their years.

Advertisement

So this could actually end up a problem if the Mets take this all the way, put him at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla., with their top players and seek all the financial benefits it affords.

There is one other possibility. Tebow is, by any measure, a terrific athlete who is dedicated to his mission (broadcasting weekends aside) and has a reputation for overcoming the odds. Maybe he can be the unicorn. Maybe with training and experience, he can transform into the successful player in baseball that he was not in the NFL. Maybe he is the anomaly.

Hey, he is Tim Tebow.

The show is only getting started.

Latest Headlines