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Mets demote Tim Tebow after dreadful spring performance

Chris Cwik
Staff writer

Tim Tebow still needs more time to figure out this baseball thing. After a rough performance over the first couple weeks of spring training, Tebow was included in the team’s round of cuts Tuesday.

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As a result, the 30-year-old will once again begin the year in the minors and attempt to work his way to the majors. The move shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone following his journey from converted quarterback to outfielder.

Even Tebow knew it was coming.

While Tebow was a massive, massive long shot to open the year on the Mets’ final 25-man roster, it’s possible he could have gone further in major-league camp with a strong performance. But Tebow struggled in limited time this spring, picking up just one hit in 18 at-bats. If the one hit wasn’t concerning enough, Tebow also struck out 11 times in those at-bats.

Despite the struggles, Tebow had an upbeat attitude after getting the news.

Tebow’s conversion to baseball was always going to take time. No one thought he would play in the majors this season. But his lack of progress is concerning. Yes, he only received 18 at-bats, but he looked overmatched.

That would be far less of an issue for a 21-year-old still trying to make the majors, but Tebow is 30. He’s already approaching the point where most baseball players enter their decline stage.

That’s not to say it’s over and Tebow should give up now. But both he and the Mets are going to need to see some significant progress in the minors this year if Tebow is going to make it to the majors one day.

Tim Tebow will begin the year in the minors. (AP Photo)
Tim Tebow will begin the year in the minors. (AP Photo)

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik