Philadelphia Eagles

Mets GM Sandy Alderson defends the decision to sign Tim Tebow

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:58 p.m. ET

Chris Bahr

Tim Tebow is officially a member of the New York Mets organization.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL QB signed a minor-league deal Wednesday morning and will report to the Instructional League in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Sept. 18. Tebow hasn’t played organized baseball since his junior year of high school, but he is anxious to pursue this dream.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson explained the decision to ink the 29-year-old would-be outfielder during a conference call Wednesday. Among the key points:

This was a baseball decision – not a marketing ploy.

Tebow has a real shot at honing his baseball talent.

Tebow will be an asset to others in the Mets’ organization.

Tebow will miss a couple days each week to honor his commitments to the SEC Network.

Tebow could progress beyond the Instructional League this fall, but it’s too soon to think about next season.

.@TimTebow says, "This is something I don’t take for granted and I am excited about." "I'm looking forward to getting to work."
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 8, 2016

"This is an opportunity for us to develop a player." - @MetsGM #Tebow #Mets
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 8, 2016

I was on board with this #Tebow thing until I read he will miss multiple days per week in instructional league to do TV. No longer serious.
— CJ Nitkowski (@CJNitkowski) September 8, 2016

Alderson says Tim Tebow could represent the #Mets in the Arizona Fall League and a Caribbean Winter League, if he progresses fast enough.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 8, 2016