NEW YORK (WFAN.com) -- The New York Mets are already dealing with the same injury problems that have plagued them in the past. The calendar has yet to flip to March, and the Mets have lost two key contributors for the forseeable future with the injuries to Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier.
New general manager Brodie Van Wagenen prepared for this scenario by signing several depth pieces throughout the roster, such as Rajai Davis, Keon Broxton, J.D. Davis and Adeiny Hechavarria.
Despite the Mets having the depth to get through this rush of early injuries, WFAN's Mike Francesa believes the door is now open for Tim Tebow to make the Opening Day roster.
"Especially with the injuries to Frazier and Lowrie, what it does is two things. Number one, it opens up a bigger opportunity for Alonso," Francesa said during Tuesday's open of "Mike's On," referring to rookie first baseman Pete Alonso. "And I hate to say this, but it opens up a bigger opportunity for Tebow to start the season with the big team. Tebow's wearing a number that means business. He's not wearing number 78 down there, if you've noticed. He's wearing his number (15). He's wearing a baseball number.
"They want to bring him north. They want a reason to bring him north. I saw his first two at-bats the other day. He hit a couple of line drives that were caught. He hit them hard. They're dying to bring that guy north. Dying."
Tebow managed to put together a solid minor league campaign in 2018. In 84 games at Double-A Binghamton, the former Heisman Trophy winner hit .273/.336/.399 with six home runs and 36 RBIs before suffering a season-ending hand injury in late July. Prior to breaking the bone in his right hand, the outfielder hit .301/.338/.425 over 24 games in June before smashing .340/.364/.434 through 15 games in July. Tebow was also named to the Double-A All-Star team.
The 31-year-old is likely to begin this season at Triple-A Syracuse.
"The Mets are looking for that buzz and they like that idea, even if he's just someone on the bench," Francesa said. "He's not going to be an everyday player. You know that, even if he got up here.
"But he could wind up on the Opening Day roster with these injuries. There's no question."