Mets Miss Opportunity Leaving Tebow in Minors

It's been almost exactly a year since former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. Most drafted rookies take a few years to work their way up to the majors. So why should it come as any surprise that a year later, Tebow is still in the minor league system?

From a baseball perspective, it obviously doesn't come as a surprise. His numbers, while solid, hardly beg a September call-up. In his 126 combined games for Columbia and St. Lucie, Tebow is batting .226 with eight home runs and 52 RBI. Though the average is a little low, these are promising numbers for the former Broncos' first professional baseball season. But again, they aren't extraordinary, he wouldn't help the Mets on the field, and he could block the progress of other prospects if called up.

What the Mets haven't taken into account, however, is the off-field incentives and opportunities that come with calling up Tebow. This September, the Mets are averaging 20,000-30,000 fans per game. This is well under their 2016 average of 34,400, and especially less than last September when the team was postseason bound.

Is there any doubt that Tebow would bring thousands of fans to Citi Field? Dormant Mets fans, as well as other baseball and football fans, would flock to see Tebow return to a major sports league for the first time since 2015. (Ironically, not too far from Citi Field as his last NFL action came against the Jets at MetLife Stadium) The first series would likely see incredible turnout, and the remaining series throughout the month would have some allure. Fans have been disappointed for months, as the attendance numbers show. Tebow would give them a reason to come out, something exciting to watch. Love or hate Tebow, two sport athletes are incredibly rare, and the occurrence could be a once in a lifetime, have to be there moment.

As I mentioned before, calling up Tebow could inadvertently block the progress of a more deserving minor league player. But in the grand scheme of the franchise, the Mets would easily benefit even if they have one less roster spot for a promising prospect. Attendance itself is beneficial to the franchise, as is what it naturally comes with: money. The Mets need fans in Citi Field, buying hot dogs and jerseys and pregame field access, to efficiently maintain and operate on the financial side. Jersey sales would likely skyrocket, as both non-Mets and Mets fans may be interested in purchasing.

Tim Tebow hasn't earned an MLB roster spot, or even a September call-up. Baseball purists wouldn't even debate, Tebow doesn't belong in the majors. But in a turbulent year, the Mets should give fans something to cheer for, in turn helping themselves. The Mets missed an opportunity by deciding not to call up Tim Tebow.